TLH101

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Been kicking around the idea of doing a Curtis Wright C-46 Commando, but there does not seem to be much available. Anyone know of plans or kits. I know about the American eagle kit, but nothing else. I will be going with electric power and would prefer to build between 70" and 90" wingspan.

Jeff Foley

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I think Jerry Bates has one with 96" span.

I have always wanted to model one of those myself. The gentleman who taught me how to fly full scale (many years ago!) was a C-46 hump pilot. Boy...did he ever have some stories. Many people didn't like the airplane, but he did. He said if you could get any item loaded on board...it had the capability of flying it.

Jeff Foley

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sorry....double post

Edwin

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That one seems to be a favorite on Ice Pilots. Good show.
Edwin

buzzard bait

I got to go aboard one at an airshow...just loved the hugeness of it! One of my all time favorites. Very attractive in a Thunderbolt kind of way. Hope you do it.

Jim

JeffH

My Feedback: (43)

http://www.flyrcmodels.com/c46.htm

Little bigger, and probably not uber scale, but could be a starting point?

km6tj

Started construction using the Jerry Bates plans a few years ago. Plans are pretty good, but do list that they are based on Williams Bros 1/72 scale plastic kit. I traced and cut the wood myself. Plan to finish it maybe this winter as now I have plenty of room.

Check out the pictures.

WheatStateHobbies

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Hello, I just found this thread and see that you are looking for a C-46 Kit. I have a KYO U-Control version I just put up on a popular online auction site. PM me if you need or want more info.

Bill
~Wheat State Hobbies

zipman

My Feedback: (22)

Check Bob Holman's site. http://www.bhplans.com/ He laser cuts Bates plans including the C-46 for $200.00.

km6tj

Almost ready for flight! Finally done and finished running engines today. Maiden flight soon, but not by me... Jerry Bates plans; 98 inch (Added a couple on wing tips). OS 70 Surpass 4 strokes. One servo for each flap; total 10 on ship. Added Spring Air retracts for the mains; I couldn't bring myself to have fixed gear. Final dry weight 16.5 lbs. Will add cowls and figure out a tailwheel retract setup if it flies right. Check out the pictures.

pappa2victor

Very nice job. Please keep us informed about the test flights and finished photos.

wilga12

Hey Terry,............ I'm guessing that you are not still subscribed to this post,.... But ,... On the off chance that you are, and you get this message, I've got the same "Wild Hair" that you had trouble with many years ago... What,... if anything did you find on the net or elsewhere on the C-46 Commander ..?? I'm also looking for plans/kit/arf/ damaged plane, ( In the 144 " Wingspan area,...Give or take a lil..) So,... I can bless the skies over my local flying club ,... as well as over the farm, here at home..

Any help along these lines from you or anybody else will surely be appreciated... Also, a BIG Thanks to you personally for including the five C-46 shots that you pasted up in your post I love 'em all,...But especially , the "Tinker Belle" shot and the Three view..

Kudos to you Partner.


I hope this finds you able, Happy and fit............

Dave in Oregon. adios..

PS. After typing this all out I happened to scroll down even farther and discovered the responses from the other pilots,... these gave me some leads to follow that are pretty well "Dated" so,...I'll add does anybody know of anything else,... That's maybe a lil more current than 15 years ago..??

I see now, that I confused the "Join Date" with the "Post Date" This goof makes quite a lil difference,...!!

But having said that,... Anyone have any ideas..?? Thanks,...Guys.. dr..

Chad Veich

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Bates has plans for a 144" version now. http://www.jbplans.com/products-page...do-19th-scale/

wilga12

Thanks so much,...Chad. This is great to know, and looks real promising...

Dave..

RDJeff

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I can't believe I didn't find this thread before today! I have a Bob Holman short kit of the Jerry Bates 96" version of this plane. I'll be starting on it in the next few months. This plane holds a special place for me, as my dad flew these commercially here in Alaska when I was just a toddler. I'm planning on running a pair of Super Tigre .61 Blueheads on it because I have about a dozen of them in my stash.

wilga12

Hi RD howzitgoin'..??

That's real cool that your Dad flew these "Super-sized" DC-3's up in Alaska..

Out of the Anchorage area..?? Carrying everything imaginable I'll bet..?? Did he ever transport any livestock..?? No,,...I'm not trying to be funny or goofy. one of the accounts that I ran across somewhere was that the 46 was occasionally used to transport cattle. So I thought I'd ask.. Wow this is getting waaaaaay off topic so I guess I'd better send you a P.M. so as not to upset any of the "Topic Police"........Cripes,..... I'm past 60,...and now I can't think of what you call one of the folks that either erase or move or get on a person about things that aren't just so on these and other forums. Co-coordinator,...Commander,...damn this memory thing... Any way.. ....................There it is,........................"Moderator"

I'd love to talk C-46 with you,...And listen to the stories from both you and your Dad..

Dave in Oregon................................Seeya..

RDJeff

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I'm afraid they weren't carrying any livestock. They were flying building material and supplies to all of the DEW Line sites on the north and west coasts of Alaska, pretty much on the edge of the known world at the time. They used to get weathered in at some of these places fairly often too. Some of the airstrips were just lakes that had been cleared of snow, and a real airstrip would be built later, after they brought in the machines and supplies. Pretty rugged times!