Aircraft Photo of 44-78381 / 478381 | Curtiss C-46D Commando | USA - Air Force

Aircraft
Registration / Serial:	44-78381
Alternate Serial:	478381
Aircraft Original Type:	Curtiss-Wright CW-20
Aircraft Generic Type:	Curtiss C-46 Commando (CW-20)
Aircraft Version:	Curtiss C-46D Commando
C/n (msn):	22204
Operator Titles:	USA - Air Force

Location
City / Airport:	Do Son (closed)
Country:	Vietnam
Airport Codes:	None

Photo Date:	14 June 1954
Photo from:	Peter de Jong Collection
Photo ID:	580109

Photo Comment
Towards the end of the First Indochina War in 1954, the USAF sent a maintenance detachment to assist in the upkeep of French C-47s at Do Son, near Haiphong. After the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu, four C-46s of the 315th Troop Carrier Wing, based in Japan, were sent to Do Son to carry out an evacuation if necessary. The small coastal airfield was a 'very poor strip' of steel planking. 44-78381 crashed on 14 June after its landing gear struck the seawall on approach. The aircraft was written off. The Americans quit Do Son on 29 June. This photo was added on 21 June 2023, and has since been viewed 294 times.

Photo Comment

Towards the end of the First Indochina War in 1954, the USAF sent a maintenance detachment to assist in the upkeep of French C-47s at Do Son, near Haiphong. After the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu, four C-46s of the 315th Troop Carrier Wing, based in Japan, were sent to Do Son to carry out an evacuation if necessary. The small coastal airfield was a 'very poor strip' of steel planking. 44-78381 crashed on 14 June after its landing gear struck the seawall on approach. The aircraft was written off. The Americans quit Do Son on 29 June.

This photo was added on 21 June 2023, and has since been viewed 294 times.

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