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| CNAC Former Assignments USAAF  Clayton Kuhles 2003 |
Pilot Captain Russell W. Coldren, CNAC (KIA) Newmanstown, PA Co-Pilot K. W. Chen, Chinese (KIA) Radio V. N. Chow, Chinese (KIA) Asst Radio G. Tai, Chinese (KIA) MIA January 6, 1945 MACR none Aircraft History Built by Douglas Aircraft Company. Constructors Number 9596. Delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as C-47A-30-DL Skytrain serial number 42-23734. Ferried overseas to China India Burma (CBI). Wartime History On July 15, 1943 sold under lend lease to the Chinese National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) with registration number 77. Also known as CNAC-77, CNAC No. 77 or CNAC #77. No known nickname or nose art. Mission History On January 6, 1945 took off Tengchung Airfield in China piloted by Captain Russell W. Coldren on a flight over "The Hump" Himalayan Mountains bound for Dinjan Airfield in India. During the flight this aircraft experienced severe weather. This aircraft failed to return and was reported as missing. Wreckage On October 20, 2003 the crash site of this C-47 was discovered by Clayton Kuhles / MIA Recoveries. The wreckage includes one engine and other pieces of wreckage. Memorials The entire crew were killed on the day of the mission. Coldren has a memorial marker at Newmanstown Memorial Cemetery in Newmanstown, PA. He is also memorialized at the Newmanstown, PA memorial park dedicated May 30, 1948 to residents lost during World War II. References Other sources list the take off as Kunming Airfield in China and state this aircraft was caught in a severe storm USAF Serial Number Search Results - C-47A-30-DL Skytrain 42-23734 "23734 (MSN 9596) to Chinese National Aviation Corporation (CNAC) under Lend Lease Jul 15, 1943 as CNAC-77. Lost during flight from Tengchung to Dinjan Jan 6, 1945. Crew of 4 presumed killed." FindAGrave - Capt Russell W Coldren (photo, biography, memorial marker photo) MIA Recoveries - C-47 42-23734 Photo Gallery via Wayback Machine February 4, 2017 MIA Recoveries - Crash Site Discoveries - C-47A #42-23734 a.k.a. CNAC #77 The Aluminum Trail (1989) by Chick Marrs Quinn page 329 Thanks to Clayton Kuhles for additional information Contribute Information Are you a relative or associated with any person mentioned? Do you have photos or additional information to add? Last Updated
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