C-46 "Commando"
Representative of planes at Bakalar AFB

The Curtiss C-46 (Commando) was pressed into service long before it was ready. Even though the C-46 was un-proven when it was pressed into service over the HUMP, it faired well even when it was plagued by maintenance and service problems. In fact, the C-46 became the a main-stay and a work-horse for the entire Hump operation. The plane was so "green" that Chief Curtiss test pilot Herb Fisher logged over 90 missions over the HUMP as a civilian to help iron out the bugs. All this time, military missions were also being flown in the aircraft.

The C-46 was powered by two Wright R-2800 engines of 2,000 h.p each. Its wing span was 108 ft. 1in., length, 76 ft. 4 in. The C-46 depending on the model could carry up to 15,000 Lbs of cargo, or 50 fully armed troops, or 33 stretchers and four attendants.  

C-46 Pilots Check List 

BEFORE STARTING ENGINES

Start from the bottom of the pedestal:

Cross-over valve--Down

Emergency brake�valve--Down

Glider release--Down

Carburetor filter doors--Down

Wing flaps--UP

Tailwheel--LOCKED

Prop selector switches�AUTO

Parking brake�ON

Superchargers�LOW blower

Carburetor heat�COLD

Landing gear handle�DOWN and latched

Wing flaps�UP

Tail wheel�Locked

Prop selector switches�AUTO

Circuit breakers�IN

Feather switches�NORMAL

Aileron tabs�Free and neutral

Rudder tabs�Free and neutral

Elevator tabs�Free and neutral

Control booster shut-off�ON

Oil cooler shutters�CLOSED

Mixture controls�IDLE CUT-OFF

Prop governors�FULL forward (high rpm)

Throttles�Cracked (1/4 open)

Cowl flaps�OPEN

On pilots windowsill:

Pitot anti-icer valves�OFF

Nose valve�As desired

Fuel selector valves�Tanks desired

On the instrument panel:

Airspeed selector valve�AIRSPEED TUBE

Autopilot bleed�NORMAL

Autopilot shut-off�OFF

On the copilot�s windowsill: (to be checked by copilot)

Pitot blowout valves�INSTRUMENTS

Accumulator shut-off valve�DOWN

Pitot heat switches�OFF

On the overhead panel:

Light switches�OFF

Anti-icer switches�OFF

Radios�OFF

Circuit breakers�OFF

Heaters�OFF

STARTING ENGINES

Start putt-putt�(unless battery cart is used)

Batter switches--ON (unless battery cart is used)

Master and ignition switches�ON

Inverter�ON (Check spare)

Generators�ON

Gas gages�Check quantity

Booster (or sump) pumps�ON

Fire guard�POSTED

Call "Clear" to ground crew

Energize starter 15 to 18 seconds, and engage with both switches

AFTER ENGINES ARE RUNNING

Booster pumps�OFF

Battery switches�ON (Battery cart out)

Putt-Putt�OFF

Lights�As desired

BEFORE TAXING

Flight engineer�s report�Crew aboard, hatches and doors secured, ladder in

Hydraulic pressures

Booster system�750-1050 psi.

Main system�1050-1350 psi.

Radios�ON

Altimeter�Set

Clock�Set

Gyros�Set

Flight controls�Free

Chocks�Removed

Permission from the tower to move

Parking brake�OFF

Tailwheel�UNLOCKED

"All Clear" from alert crew

ENGINE RUN-UP

Parking brake�ON

Tailwheel�LOCKED (If straight)

Fuel boosters pumps�OFF

Oil coolers shutters�As desired

Mixtures�AUTO RICH

Cowl flaps�OPEN

Fuel selector valves�Takeoff tanks

Check:

Engine gauges for proper readings

Superchargers, then return to LOW

Carburetor heat, then return to COLD

Generators

Manual prop controls

Prop governors

Magnetos

Pitot heaters

Suction gage

BEFORE TAKEOFF

Prop selector switches�AUTO

Circuit breakers�In

Booster pumps�ON

Trim tabs�Neutral

Control boost�ON

Mixtures�AUTO RICH

Prop controls�Full forward (high rpm)

Cowl flaps�Trail

Fuel selector valves�Takeoff tanks

Gyro instruments�Set and uncaged

Engine instruments�Normal readings

When lined up:

Friction locked�Tightened

Tailwheel�LOCKED

Flight controls�Free

AFTER TAKEOFF

Gear�UP

Brakes�ON

Power reductions:

Intermediate�41 Hg. And 2400 rpm

Climb�35 Hg. And 2300 rpm

Airspeed 120 to 140 mph

Booster pumps�OFF (at save altitude)

CRUISING

Power�reduced to cruise setting

Mixtures�AUTO LEAN (When cylinder-head temperatures are below 200 C.)

Cowl flaps�CLOSED (When cylinder-head temperatures are below 200 C.)

Tanks�Use front tanks for 30 minutes

BEFORE LANDING

Prop governors�2300 rpm

Slow plane to 150 mph.

Gear�DOWN

Mixtures�AUTO RICH

Fuel selector valves�Proper tanks

Gear checked down: Visually

Light�Green (or Selsyn�DOWN)

Copilots checks:

Parking brake�OFF

Supercharger�LOW

Carburetor heat�COLD

Tailwheel�LOCKED

Propeller switches�AUTO

Circuit breakers�In

Autopilot�OFF

Wing de-icers�OFF

Heaters�OFF

Brake pressure�1050-1350 psi

AFTER LANDING

Flaps�UP

Cowl flaps�OPEN

Props�Full forward (high rpm)

Booster pumps�OFF

Trim tabs�Neutral

Tailwheel�UNLOCKED (Not above 10 mph)

STOPPING ENGINES

Clear blower clutches

Mixtures�IDLE CUT-OFF

Throttles�Full OPEN

All switches�OFF

Wheel chocks in place

Brakes�OFF (if hot)

Fuel selector valves�OFF

BEFORE LEAVING AIRPLANE

Parking brake�ON

Flaps�UP

Prop switches�AUTO

Circuit breakers�in

Trim tabs�Neutral

Props�Full forward (high rpm)

Mixture�AUTO RICH

Fuel selector valves�Takeoff tanks

Run up engines and check:

Magnetos

Prop controls

Generators

Booster pumps�ON

Cowl flaps�Trail

Friction locks�Tightened

Tailwheel�LOCKED

Flight controls--Free