The Curtiss C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C. Known to the men who flew them as "The Whale," or the "Curtiss Calamity," the C-46 served a similar role as its counterpart, the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but was not as extensively produced. After World War II, a few surplus C-46 aircraft were briefly used in their original role as passenger airliners, but the glut of surplus C-47s dominated the marketplace with the C-46 soon relegated to primarily cargo duty. The type continued in U.S. Air Force service in a secondary role until 1968. However, the C-46 continues in operation as a rugged cargo transport for Arctic and remote locations with its service life extended into the 21st century. Accidents and incidents Like every other major type in long service and operation, accidents and incidents have been recorded that have substantially reduced the numbers flying. The following list is typical of such a record of operational use. 1940s 20 September 1944: USAAF C-46A 42-107397 went missing during a nighttime navigation training mission both leaving and returning to Syracuse Army Air Base. The wreckage was found in August 1945 on NE face of Blue Ridge Mountain near Speculator, NY. All three servicemen perished. 2 February 1945: USMC R5C-1 39504 disappeared south of Los Angeles with seven on board. 4 February 1945: While flying over remote jungle 55 mi northwest of Jorhat, USAAF C-46A 42-107386 developed mechanical problems that led to an in-flight fire and crashed near the top of a jungle-covered hill at 6559 feet and burned out, killing 34 of 35 on board. 4 March 1945: USAAF C-46A 44-77654 was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and crashed off Orfordness after it wandered into a restricted area over the English Channel after the pilot got lost, killing the four crew. The crew was returning from dropping off a Waco CG-13A glider in France. 6 May 1945: USAAF C-46D 44-77839 hit a radar tower when flying in low cloud and crashed into Gibbet Hill, Hindhead, England, killing all 30 on board and 1 on the ground. 23 May 1945: USAAF C-46D 44-77507 crashed at Taillefontaine, France due to an engine fire, killing all 44 on board.