This is the latest in the Squadron/Signal Aircraft in Action series and one that I never thought would be seen. I might also say it is about time. The book is in the standard  8½ x 11 format that all In Action books are. There are 50 pages chock full of photographs as well as 10 profiles in the center and two more nice pieces of artwork on the back cover.

The C-46 was one of the unsung heros of WWII, operating mostly in the shadow of the much more popular C-47. Actually, the C-46 was a better all around cargo plane than the C-47 with greater range, greater carrying capabilities and greater speed than the Douglas transport. It was also larger and had more powerful engines.

The unusual 'double bubble' fuselage design is because it was originally built to be a pressurized airliner. Even today, this basic design is used on pressurized airliners, with the cabin floor at the indentation. This divides the fuselage into an upper and lower section with the lower section providing room for cargo and luggage, leaving the upper portion free of obstructions (like the wing spar) for passengers.

Needless to say, when it was put into production for the USAAF, several of the airliner niceties like autopilot and pressurization went away. The book covers not only the different types, but the use of the aircraft in the war. It was mostly used in the Pacific and CBI theaters, spending a great deal of time transporting material over 'the Hump' from India into China. Post war it was operated by a number of foreign countries and by commercial carriers (including the CIA). Even today, around 50-70 are still plying their trade in more remote areas of the planet.

With so little information generally available on the C-46, this is a reference that one really needs to have on their library shelf. I know that I appreciate its being published and it will cause me to have a long look at my Williams Bros. 1/72 C-46 kit. It would be even nicer if some kind decal company would come out with a sheet or two. The C-46 carried some rather tasty nose art during its time!

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