Thirty-six C-46Ds were purchased from USA and 12 from the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) that included the C-46A and C-46D. All C-46As were converted to C-46D standard. They started operating in 1955 from Tachikawa and by the Miho Detachment, which evolved into the Air Transport Wing comprising of the 401st and 402nd Sqn. Three at Iruma were used for ECM. This ex-ROCAF aircraft at JASDF Hamamatsu Kohokan was flown by the Flight Check Group for navaid calibration till phased out on 11 March 1978.

Preserved at Hamamatsu is this beautiful C-46 Commando.

Distant shot, aircraft is being towed on the other side of the runway. This Commando is ex USAF 42-101098, and it was delivered to the JASDF in December 1959. It was withdrawn from use on 11 March 1978 and had been placed on display at Hamamatsu Air Base by 1984.

Hamamatsu Museum

This immaculately presented C-46 was my highlight among the many great exhibits at the JASDF Air Park. One of six complete C-46s preserved in Japan