Convair 240
Encyclopedia
The Convair CV-240 was an American airliner produced by Convair
from 1947 to 1954, initially as a possible replacement of the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3
. While featuring a more modern design, the 240 series was able to make some inroads as a commercial airliner and also had a long development cycle which resulted in a number of civil and military variants. Although reduced in numbers through attrition, the "Convairliners" in various forms continue to fly into the 21st century.
for a pressurized
airliner
to replace the classic Douglas DC-3. Convair's original design, the unpressurised Model 110 had two engines and space for 30 passenger seats. It first flew on July 8, 1946. American deemed the design to be too small and the aircraft NX90653 was therefore used by Convair for development work for the 240 series before being broken up in 1947.
Convair's revised design "Super 240," the pressurised and stretched Model 240 was developed to accommodate 40 passengers. As the "Super 240" evolved into the CV-340, and CV-440, the limit to piston-engine performance was reached and the next developments centered on conversion to jet turboprop
power which resulted in a longer operational life cycle for the type.
, Continental Airlines
, Pan American Airways, KLM, Swissair
, Sabena
and Trans Australia Airlines
.
A CV-240 was the first private aircraft used in a United States presidential campaign. In 1960, John F. Kennedy
used a CV-240 named Caroline (after his daughter) during his campaign. This aircraft is now preserved in the National Air and Space Museum
.
After the aborted negotiations with TWA and Eastern for "Super 240" orders, the production of the 240 series was temporarily halted. In response to a United inquiry, however, Convair redesigned the Super 240, calling it the CV-340. United ordered 55, and more US orders came from Braniff, Continental, Delta, Northeast and National. Other orders came from abroad, and the CV-340 proved popular in South America. The CV-340 earned an enviable reputation for reliability and profitability, and was developed into the CV-440 Metropolitan, the final piston-engined variant of the "Convairliners."
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.
currently holds the type certificate for this aircraft.
Model 110
CV-240
CV-300
CV-340
CV-440 Metropolitan
Convair CV-540
Convair CV-580
Convair CV-600
Convair CV-640
Convair CV5800
T-29 Trainer
R4Y Samaritan
Canadair CL-66
Bolivia: CV-440 & CV-580
Colombia: CV-580
Germany: CV-440
Italy
Paraguay:
Sri Lanka
Convair
Convair was an American aircraft manufacturing company which later expanded into rockets and spacecraft. The company was formed in 1943 by the merger of Vultee Aircraft and Consolidated Aircraft, and went on to produce a number of pioneering aircraft, such as the Convair B-36 bomber, and the F-102...
from 1947 to 1954, initially as a possible replacement of the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
. While featuring a more modern design, the 240 series was able to make some inroads as a commercial airliner and also had a long development cycle which resulted in a number of civil and military variants. Although reduced in numbers through attrition, the "Convairliners" in various forms continue to fly into the 21st century.
Design and development
The design began life in a production requirement by American AirlinesAmerican Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
for a pressurized
Cabin pressurization
Cabin pressurization is the pumping of compressed air into an aircraft cabin to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for crew and passengers when flying at altitude.-Need for cabin pressurization:...
airliner
Airliner
An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...
to replace the classic Douglas DC-3. Convair's original design, the unpressurised Model 110 had two engines and space for 30 passenger seats. It first flew on July 8, 1946. American deemed the design to be too small and the aircraft NX90653 was therefore used by Convair for development work for the 240 series before being broken up in 1947.
Turboprop
A turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
power which resulted in a longer operational life cycle for the type.
Operational history
The first 240 flew on March 16, 1947, and production aircraft were first delivered to American on 29 February 1948. 75 were delivered to American, with another 50 going to Western AirlinesWestern Airlines
Western Airlines was a large airline based in California, with operations throughout the Western United States, and hubs at Los Angeles International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver...
, Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Pan American Airways, KLM, Swissair
Swissair
Swissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
, Sabena
Sabena
SABENA was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines...
and Trans Australia Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines
Trans Australia Airlines or TAA, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its sale to Qantas in May 1996. During that period TAA played a major part in the development of the Australian air transport industry...
.
A CV-240 was the first private aircraft used in a United States presidential campaign. In 1960, John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
used a CV-240 named Caroline (after his daughter) during his campaign. This aircraft is now preserved in the National Air and Space Museum
National Air and Space Museum
The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution holds the largest collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It was established in 1976. Located in Washington, D.C., United States, it is a center for research into the history and science of aviation and...
.
After the aborted negotiations with TWA and Eastern for "Super 240" orders, the production of the 240 series was temporarily halted. In response to a United inquiry, however, Convair redesigned the Super 240, calling it the CV-340. United ordered 55, and more US orders came from Braniff, Continental, Delta, Northeast and National. Other orders came from abroad, and the CV-340 proved popular in South America. The CV-340 earned an enviable reputation for reliability and profitability, and was developed into the CV-440 Metropolitan, the final piston-engined variant of the "Convairliners."
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.
Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. is an Approved Maintenance Organization which operates two Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities in Canada, one in Kelowna, British Columbia, and the other in Hamilton, Ontario....
currently holds the type certificate for this aircraft.
Civil variants
- Unpressurized prototype with seats for 30 passengers.
CV-240
- Initial production version. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engines.
- CV-240-21 Turboliner
- :turbopropTurbopropA turboprop engine is a type of turbine engine which drives an aircraft propeller using a reduction gear.The gas turbine is designed specifically for this application, with almost all of its output being used to drive the propeller...
-powered conversion fitted with Allison T38 engines. It became the first turboprop airliner to fly in the United States (on December 29, 1950), but problems with the engines resulted in development being terminated and the prototype being converted back to piston power
CV-300
- a conversion from a Convair CV-240 with two R-2800 CB-17 engines and nacelles as used on the CV-340. A CV-300 was involved in an accident that killed three members and the manager of the rock group Lynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd SkynyrdLynyrd Skynyrd is an American rock band prominent in spreading Southern Rock during the 1970s.Originally formed as the "Noble Five" in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1964, the band rose to worldwide recognition on the basis of its driving live performances and signature tune, Freebird...
.
CV-340
- Built for United AirlinesUnited AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
and other operators including KLM, was basically a CV-240 lengthened to hold an additional four seats. The wing span was also extended for better performance at higher altitudes. The CV-340 replaced the DC-3 in United service. The airline flew 52 340s for 16 years without a fatality. KLM operated the type from spring 1953 until mid 1963. Many CV-340 aircraft were converted to CV-440 standard.
CV-440 Metropolitan
- CV-340 with improved soundproofing and an option of weather radar. Maximum weight rose to 49,700 lbs. An optional increase from 44 to 52 passengers was facilitated by the replacement of the carry-on luggage area with two more rows of seats, marked by the addition of an extra cabin window. This option was taken up by several airlines including LufthansaLufthansaDeutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
and SAS.
Convair CV-540
- Conversion from a Convair CV-340 aircraft with two Napier ElandNapier Eland|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
turboprop engines in place of the piston engines. Six aircraft were converted by NapierNapier & SonD. Napier & Son Limited was a British engine and pre-Great War automobile manufacturer and one of the most important aircraft engine manufacturers in the early to mid-20th century...
for Allegheny AirlinesAllegheny AirlinesAllegheny Airlines was an airline operating out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1952 to 1979. It was a forerunner of today’s US Airways. Its headquarters were located on the grounds of Washington National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia....
.
Convair CV-580
- conversion from Convair CV-340 or CV-440 aircraft with two Allison 501 D13D/H turboprop engines in place of the piston engines, an enlarged vertical fin and modified horizontal stabilisers. The conversions were performed by Pacific Airmotive on behalf of the Allison Engine CompanyAllison Engine CompanyThe Allison Engine Company was a U.S. aircraft engine manufacturer. In 1929, shortly after the death of James Allison, the company was purchased by the Fisher brothers. Fisher sold the company to General Motors, who owned it for most of its history...
.
Convair CV-600
- Conversion from a Convair 240 aircraft with Rolls-Royce DartRolls-Royce Dart|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
turboprop engines in place of the piston engines. CV-600 conversions were performed by Convair. The CV-600 first flew with Central AirlinesCentral AirlinesCentral Airlines was a regional airline providing service in Texas and Oklahoma from 1949 to 1967. Central was founded by Keith Kahle in 1944 to operate charter and fixed base services in Oklahoma. Due to financing difficulties, it did not begin scheduled air service until September 15, 1949, just...
on 30 November 1965. The CV-600 aircraft that flew with Air Metro Airways was configured as a 40-passenger airliner. In August 2006, a single Convair CV-600 aircraft remains in airline service, with Rhoades Aviation.
Convair CV-640
- Conversion from a Convair CV-340 or -440 with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines in place of the piston engines. The conversions were performed by Convair. In August 2006, a total of nine Convair CV-640 aircraft remain in airline service, with Rhoades Aviation (three) and C&M AirwaysC&M AirwaysC&M Airways is a cargo airline based in El Paso, Texas, USA. It was established in 1983 and operates charter services for the automotive companies within the USA and to Mexico. Its main base is El Paso International Airport.-Fleet:...
(six).
Convair CV5800
- Conversion from a C-131 Samaritan by Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd.Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. is an Approved Maintenance Organization which operates two Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities in Canada, one in Kelowna, British Columbia, and the other in Hamilton, Ontario....
in Canada. The CV5800 is a C-131 Samaritan stretched by 14 ft 3 in with the Samaritan's original tail unitEmpennageThe empennage , also known as the tail or tail assembly, of most aircraft gives stability to the aircraft, in a similar way to the feathers on an arrow...
rather than the enlarged tail of the CV-580. These conversions also have a new freight door, digital avionics with EFIS and Allison 501-D22 engines in place of the original R-2800 engines.
Military variants
C-131 SamaritanC-131 Samaritan
The Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240.-Design and development:...
- The CV-240/340/440 series was used by the United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
for medical evacuation and VIPVery Important PersonA Very Important Person, or VIP is a person who is accorded special privileges due to his or her status or importance.Examples include celebrities, heads of state/heads of government, major employers, high rollers, politicians, high-level corporate officers, wealthy individuals, or any other...
under this designation
T-29 Trainer
- A trainer model of the C-131 was used to instruct navigators and radio operators
R4Y Samaritan
- The United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
used the Samaritan under this designation
Canadair CL-66
- Conversion from CV-440, with Napier ElandNapier Eland|-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9-External links:*...
turboprops in place of the piston engines. The conversions were performed in CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
by CanadairCanadairCanadair Ltd. was a civil and military aircraft manufacturer in Canada. It was a subsidiary of other aircraft manufacturers, then a nationalized corporation until privatized in 1986, and became the core of Bombardier Aerospace....
. In Canadian Air ForceCanadian Forces Air CommandThe Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
service they were known as the CC-109 Cosmopolitan. All were re-engined in 1966 with Allison 501-D13 engines.
Special missions and airborne testbeds
- Airborne Resources, (C-131B N131CR))
- Environmental Research Institute of MichiganEnvironmental Research Institute of Michigan-History:The Environmental Research Institute of Michigan began as Willow Run Laboratories in 1946, but was established as a private not for profit research institute when it formally separated from the University of Michigan in 1972. ERIM contributed to the development of remote sensing for...
, later Veridian and then General Dynamics Advanced Information SystemsGeneral Dynamics Advanced Information SystemsGeneral Dynamics Advanced Information Systems is a business unit of General Dynamics Corporation with over 8,000 employees in over 100 locations. Historically General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems has served customers within the U.S...
(CV-580s N51211 and N51255) - Honeywell International, Everett Washington (CV-580 N580AS)
- National Research Council (Canada) (CV-580 C-FNRC)
- RaytheonRaytheonRaytheon Company is a major American defense contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing concentrations in weapons and military and commercial electronics. It was previously involved in corporate and special-mission aircraft until early 2007...
, Tucson Arizona (CV-580 N580HH) - University of WashingtonUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, (CV-580 N3UW)
Civilian operators
- Aero CaliforniaAero CaliforniaAero California was a low-cost airline with its headquarters in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, operating a network of domestic passenger flights with its hub at the city's Manuel Márquez de León International Airport..-History:...
- CV-340 - Aerolíneas ArgentinasAerolíneas ArgentinasAerolíneas Argentinas , formally Aerolíneas Argentinas S.A., is Argentina's largest airline and serves as the country's flag carrier. Owned in its majority by the Argentine Government, the airline is headquartered in the Torre Bouchard, located in San Nicolás, Buenos Aires...
- CV-240 (LV-ADM, LV-ADN, LV-ADO, LV-ADP & LV-ADQ) - AeromexicoAeroméxicoAirways of Mexico, SA de CV , operating as Aeroméxico, is the flag carrier airline of Mexico based in Colonia Cuauhtémoc, Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City. It operates scheduled domestic and international services to North America, South America, Central America and the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia...
- CV-340 - AeroquetzalAeroquetzalAeroquetzal is a defunct airline formerly based at Guatemala La Aurora International Airport. Flying only regional routes first, Aeroquetzal later became the first Guatemalan airline besides Aviateca to operate a short lived scheduled passenger flight to Los Angeles International Airport in 1991....
- CV-580 - Air ChathamsAir ChathamsAir Chathams Limited is a commuter airline based in Te One, the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It was established in 1986 and operates scheduled passenger services between the Chatham Islands and the North and South islands of New Zealand, as well as local charters. Its main base is Chatham Islands...
- CV-580 - Air FijiAir FijiAir Fiji was an airline based in Nausori, Fiji. It operated inter-island services to destinations within the Fijian Islands. Its main base was Nausori International Airport, Suva, with a base at Nadi International Airport....
- CV-580 - Air Freight NZAir Freight NZAir Freight NZ is a cargo airline based in Auckland, New Zealand. It operates scheduled overnight cargo services on behalf of owner Freightways Express. Domestic charter services are also operated...
- CV-580 & CV5800 - Air MaldivesAir MaldivesAir Maldives was the first national airline and flag carrier of the Maldives. It was established on 1st October 1974 during the presidency of Ibrahim Nasir...
- CV-440 - Air Resorts - CV-440s that were formerly operated by American Eagle
- Air TahomaAir TahomaAir Tahoma was an American cargo airline based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. It was established and started operations in 1996 in San Diego then later moved to Indianapolis in 1998 and to its last location at Rickenbacker International Airport, Columbus...
- CV-240 & CV-580 - Allegheny AirlinesAllegheny AirlinesAllegheny Airlines was an airline operating out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, from 1952 to 1979. It was a forerunner of today’s US Airways. Its headquarters were located on the grounds of Washington National Airport in Arlington County, Virginia....
CV-340, CV-440, CV-540 & CV-580 - American AirlinesAmerican AirlinesAmerican Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
- Ansett Airlines - CV-340, CV-440
- ArawakArawakThe Arawak people are some of the indigenous peoples of the West Indies. The group belongs to the Arawakan language family. They were the natives whom Christopher Columbus encountered when he first arrived in the Americas in 1492...
- CV-440 - ARCO Aerolíneas Colonia S.A. CV-240, CV-600
- Aspen AirwaysAspen AirwaysAspen Airways was a former airline carrier and regional affiliate of United Express and based in Hangar 5 in Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado...
CV-580 - AviatecaAviatecaAviateca was the state-owned flag carrier of Guatemala, headquartered in Guatemala City. It is now a subsidiary of Grupo TACA.- History :The airline was established on 14 March 1945 as Empresa Guatemalteca de Aviación S. A., which was shortened to Aviateca. It was formed as the successor to...
- CV-240, CV 440, 340 - Bar Harbor AirlinesBar Harbor AirlinesBar Harbor Airlines was a comparatively large commuter airline headquartered at Bar Harbor Airport in Trenton, Maine and later in Houston, Texas.- Early history :...
- CV-600 - Braniff International AirwaysBraniff International AirwaysBraniff International Airways was an American airline that operated from 1928 until 1982, primarily in the midwestern and southwestern U.S., South America, Panama, and in its later years also Asia and Europe...
- CV-340 - Buffalo AirwaysBuffalo AirwaysBuffalo Airways is a family-run airline based in Hay River, Northwest Territories, Canada established in 1970 by Joe McBryan, also known as "Buffalo Joe". It operates scheduled passenger, scheduled cargo, charter passenger, charter cargo, firefighting and fuel services...
- CV-240 - Cal Sierra AirlinesCal Sierra AirlinesCal Sierra Airlines was a start-up airline based in San Diego, California. The airline was the brain child of former Pan Am Captain Ed Perry. The airline started in 1980 with a route between San Diego and South Lake Tahoe, California, operating Convair 580 aircraft.The airline had planes for a...
- CV-580 - Canadian Pacific AirlinesCanadian Pacific AirlinesCanadian Pacific Air Lines was a Canadian airline that operated from 1942 to 1987. It operated under the name CP Air from 1968 to 1986...
- CV-240 - Central AirlinesCentral AirlinesCentral Airlines was a regional airline providing service in Texas and Oklahoma from 1949 to 1967. Central was founded by Keith Kahle in 1944 to operate charter and fixed base services in Oklahoma. Due to financing difficulties, it did not begin scheduled air service until September 15, 1949, just...
- CV-240 and CV-600 - Chathams PacificAir ChathamsAir Chathams Limited is a commuter airline based in Te One, the Chatham Islands, New Zealand. It was established in 1986 and operates scheduled passenger services between the Chatham Islands and the North and South islands of New Zealand, as well as local charters. Its main base is Chatham Islands...
- CV-580 - Conair Group
- Continental AirlinesContinental AirlinesContinental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
- CaribairCaribairCaribair is an airline based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It operated scheduled services within the Dominican Republic and to Haiti, as well as charter flights and air taxi services throughout the Caribbean. Its main base was La Isabela International Airport, Santo Domingo.- History...
- CV-340, CV-640 - Delta Air LinesDelta Air LinesDelta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
- CV-340 & CV-440 - Desert Air - CV-240
- Eastern Air LinesEastern Air LinesEastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from 1926 to 1991. Before its dissolution it was headquartered at Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
- CV-440 - ERA AviationEra AviationEra Alaska is an airline headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska, United States. It operates a network of services from Anchorage as part of an Alaska Airlines Partnership. Its primary hub is Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport.- History :...
- CV-580 - FinnairFinnairFinnair Plc is the flag carrier and largest airline of Finland, with its headquarters on the grounds of Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, Finland, and its main hub at Helsinki Airport. Finnair and its subsidiaries dominate both the domestic and international air travel markets in Finland. The largest...
CV-340 (converted to CV-440) & CV440 - Fred. Olsen Flyselskap - CV-340
- Frontier AirlinesFrontier AirlinesFrontier Airlines, Inc., is an American airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The carrier, which is a subsidiary and operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings, operates flights to 83 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica and maintains hubs at...
- CV-580 and CV-600 - Garuda IndonesiaGaruda IndonesiaPT Garuda Indonesia Tbk , publicly known as Garuda Indonesia, is the flag carrier of Indonesia. It is named after the mystical giant bird Garuda of Hinduism and Buddhist mythology. It is headquartered at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, near Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia...
- CV-240, CV-340 & CV-440 - Hawaiian AirlinesHawaiian AirlinesHawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a major airline of the United States. It is the largest airline based in the State of Hawai'i, and is the 11th largest commercial airline in the country. Based in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu, the airline operates its main hub at Honolulu International...
- CV-340, -CV-640 - IFL GroupContract Air CargoContract Air Cargo is a cargo airline based in Waterford, Michigan, USA. It operates ad hoc cargo services as well as contract charters for General Motors and Ford.-History:...
- CV-580 & CV5800 - JAT Yugoslav AirlinesJat AirwaysJat Airways is the national airline of Serbia and the former national airline of Yugoslavia, and has its head office in the Jat Airways Business Center in Belgrade. It was established in 1927 as Aeroput, making it currently one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation...
- CV-340 & CV-440 - Iberia AirlinesIberia AirlinesIberia Líneas Aéreas de España, S.A., commonly known as Iberia, is the flag carrier airline of Spain. Based in Madrid, it operates an international network of services from its main bases of Madrid-Barajas Airport and Barcelona El Prat Airport....
- Convair CV-440 - Kar-Air CV-440
- Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter - CV-580 & CV5800
- Kitty Hawk AircargoKitty Hawk AircargoKitty Hawk Aircargo was an American cargo airline based on the grounds of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and in Grapevine, Texas, USA. It operated domestic scheduled overnight freight services, as well as air charter services...
- Convair 640 - KLM - CV-240 & CV-340
- LACSALacsaLacsa , is the national airline of Costa Rica and is based in San José. It operates international scheduled services to over 35 destinations in Central, North and South America. All international services are now operated by Grupo TACA...
- CV-340 - Líneas Aéreas Paraguayas (LAP) - 3 CV-240
- Lake Central AirlinesLake Central AirlinesLake Central Airlines was an airline that served points in the midwestern United States from 1950 to 1968, when it was merged into Allegheny Airlines. Founded as Roscoe Turner Airlines, the company was based at Weir-Cook Airport in Indianapolis, IN. It serviced communities principally in...
- CV-340 & CV-580 - LinjeflygLinjeflygLinjeflyg was formed in 1957 as a Swedish domestic airline by Scandinavian Airlines System, Dagens Nyheter AB and Stockholms-Tidningen AB.In October 1983, Linjeflyg moved from Stockholm-Bromma Airport in the central part of Stockholm, to Stockholm-Arlanda Airport in the north of Stockholm. Bromma...
- CV-340 & CV-440 - LOT Polish AirlinesLOT Polish AirlinesPolskie Linie Lotnicze LOT S.A. , trading as LOT Polish Airlines, is the flag carrier of Poland. Based in Warsaw, LOT was established in 1929, making it one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation. Using a fleet of 55 aircraft, LOT operates a complex network to 60 destinations in Europe,...
- CV-240 (5 in 1957-1966) - LufthansaLufthansaDeutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...
- CV-440 - Metro AirlinesMetro AirlinesMetro Airlines, originally Houston Metro Airlines, was a commuter airline that was originally headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States, while at a later time it was headquartered on the grounds of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and in Grapevine, Texas...
- CV-580 - Mey-AirMey-AirMey-Air Transoport A/S was a Norwegian airline headquartered in Oslo. It was founded in 1970 by Hans Otto Meyer. They strted with a mixed fleet of Beechcraft 99, Beechcraft King Air-100 and a Convair CV 240. As the marked in Scandinavia for Inclusive tours increased in the early 1970´s Mey-Air...
- CV-240 - Miami Air Lease - CV-440
- Midwest Air Charter/Airborne Express - CV-600
- National AirlinesNational Airlines (NA)National Airlines was an airline founded in 1934 and was headquartered on the grounds of Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States near Miami.- History :...
- CV-340 & CV-440 - Nolinor AviationNolinor AviationLes Investissements Nolinor Inc., trading as Nolinor Aviation, is a charter airline based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It operates passenger charter and cargo services within Canada and to the USA. Its main base is Montréal-Mirabel International Airport. It has 115 employees.- History :The airline...
- CV-580 - Nor-Fly Charter - CV-440 & CV580
- North Central AirlinesNorth Central AirlinesNorth Central Airlines was founded as Wisconsin Central Airlines in 1944 in Clintonville, Wisconsin. It was headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.-Early history:...
- CV-580 - Northeast AirlinesNortheast AirlinesNortheast Airlines was an American airline based in Boston, Massachusetts. They began as Boston-Maine Airways, which was founded as a Pan Am contract carrier on July 20, 1931, by the Boston and Maine Railroad and Maine Central Railroad offering service from Boston to Bangor via Portland...
- CV-240 - Northwest AirlinesNorthwest AirlinesNorthwest Airlines, Inc. was a major United States airline founded in 1926 and absorbed into Delta Air Lines by a merger approved on October 29, 2008, making Delta the largest airline in the world...
- CV-580 - Pacific Western AirlinesPacific Western AirlinesPacific Western Airlines was an airline that operated scheduled flights throughout western Canada and charter services around the world from the 1950s through the 1980s...
- CV-640 - Pan American World AirwaysPan American World AirwaysPan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was the principal and largest international air carrier in the United States from 1927 until its collapse on December 4, 1991...
(Pan Am) - Pakistan International AirlinesPakistan International AirlinesPakistan International Airlines Corporation commonly known as PIA, is the flag carrier airline of Pakistan. The airline has its head office on the grounds of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. and operates scheduled services to 24 domestic destinations and 38 international destinations in 27...
- CV-240 - PartnairPartnairPartnair was a Norwegian charter airline company owned by Terje and Rolf Thoresen. The company was formed by a merger including Nor-Fly Charter in 1985. The company operated mainly in the ad hoc marked with oil companies as their primary customer...
- CV-580 - Philippine AirlinesPhilippine AirlinesPhilippine Airlines, Inc. operating as Philippine Airlines, is a flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered in the Philippine National Bank Financial Center in Pasay City, the airline was founded in 1941 and is the first and oldest commercial airline in Asia operating under its original name...
- CV-340 (1950s-1960s) - Pionair - CV-580
- Polaris Air Transport - CV-240
- PrinairPrinairPrinair was a Puerto Rican airline. It was Puerto Rico's domestic and international flag carrier airline for almost two decades.- History :Services began in 1966, under the name Aerolíneas de Ponce , with Aero Commanders...
- CV-580 - QuebecairQuebecairQuebecair was a Canadian airline that operated from 1947 until 1986. Quebecair was headquartered in Saint-Laurent, Quebec, now a part of Montreal.-Company history:...
- CV-540 (CL-66) - Real Transportes AéreosReal Transportes AéreosReal Transportes Aéreos was a Brazilian airline founded in 1945. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Real was the main carrier....
- CV-340 & CV-440 - Republic AirlinesRepublic AirlinesRepublic Airline, Inc., operating as Republic Airlines is a regional airline subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings that operates service as Frontier Airlines, Midwest Airlines and US Airways Express using a fleet of Bombardier Q400, Embraer 170, Embraer 175 and Embraer 190 aircraft...
- CV-580 - Rhoades Aviaton - CV-640
- SABENASabenaSABENA was the national airline of Belgium from 1923 to 2001, with its base at Brussels National Airport. After its bankruptcy in 2001, the newly formed SN Brussels Airlines took over part of SABENA's assets in February 2002, which then became Brussels Airlines...
- CV-240 & CV-440 - SahsaSahsaServicio Aéreo de Honduras SA otherwise known as SAHSA Airlines was the national flag carrier airline of Honduras from October 22, 1945 to January 14, 1994...
- CV-580 - SASScandinavian Airlines SystemScandinavian Airlines or SAS, previously Scandinavian Airlines System, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and the largest airline in Scandinavia....
- CV-440 - Serviços Aéreos Cruzeiro do SulServiços Aéreos Cruzeiro do SulServiços Aéreos Cruzeiro do Sul, was the second oldest airline of Brazil, tracing its origins to 1927, when it was founded as Syndicato Condor, a subsidiary of Deutsche Luft Hansa. Syndicato Condor retained rights and interests of a former German trade company, Condor Syndikat, which previously...
- CV-240, CV340 - Sierra Pacific CV-340, CV-440 CV-580
- SMB Stage Line - Convair 640
- Stellar Airfreighter - CV-440
- SwissairSwissairSwissair AG was the former national airline of Switzerland.It was formed from a merger between Balair and Ad Astra Aero , in 1931...
- CV-240 & CV-440 - Trans-Texas AirwaysTexas International AirlinesTexas International Airlines was a United States airline, known from 1944 until 1947 as Aviation Enterprises, until 1969 as Trans-Texas Airways, and as Texas International Airlines until 1982, when it merged with Continental Airlines. It was headquartered near William P...
- CV-240 & CV-600 - Texas International AirlinesTexas International AirlinesTexas International Airlines was a United States airline, known from 1944 until 1947 as Aviation Enterprises, until 1969 as Trans-Texas Airways, and as Texas International Airlines until 1982, when it merged with Continental Airlines. It was headquartered near William P...
- CV-600 - Toa AirwaysToa AirwaysToa Airways Co., Ltd. was a Japanese airline and the predecessor of Japan Air System.On May 15, 1971, the airline merged with Japan Domestic Airlines to form Toa Domestic Airlines; on April 1, 1988 the merged airline renamed itself to Japan Air System. In the 2000s Japan Air System merged into...
- Trans Australia AirlinesTrans Australia AirlinesTrans Australia Airlines or TAA, was one of the two major Australian domestic airlines between its inception in 1946 and its sale to Qantas in May 1996. During that period TAA played a major part in the development of the Australian air transport industry...
- Transportes Aéreos NacionalTransportes Aéreos NacionalTransportes Aéreos Nacional was a Brazilian airline founded in 1946. It was merged into Varig in 1961, when Varig bought the Consórcio Real-Aerovias-Nacional, of which Transportes Aéreos Nacional was one of the partners.-History:...
- CV-440 - United AirlinesUnited AirlinesUnited Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
- VarigVarigVARIG was the first airline founded in Brazil, in 1927. From 1965 until 1990 it was Brazil's leading and almost only international airline...
- CV-240 - Western AirlinesWestern AirlinesWestern Airlines was a large airline based in California, with operations throughout the Western United States, and hubs at Los Angeles International Airport, Salt Lake City International Airport, and the former Stapleton International Airport in Denver...
- Wright AirlinesWright AirlinesWright Airlines, founded in Cleveland, OH in 1966 is regarded as the first United States Regional airline. The airline was based in Cleveland at Burke Lakefront Airport. The airline has since gone out of business.-Business:...
- CV-600 - Zantop International AirlinesZantop International AirlinesZantop International Airlines, Inc., was incorporated in May, 1972 as a Michigan corporation, the stock of which was 100% owned by the Zantop family. The same persons had formerly operated Zantop Flying Service and Zantop Air Transport.-History:...
- Convair 640
Military operators
- Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air ForceThe Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
- Two CV-440 Metropolitans (RAAF serial A95-313 and 353) were in service with RAAF from 1956 to 1968.- No. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 34 Squadron RAAFNo. 34 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force transport squadron. It is currently based at Canberra International Airport in the Australian capital Canberra, where it operates two Boeing 737 Business Jets and three Bombardier Challenger 604s.-History:...
- No. 34 Squadron RAAF
Bolivia: CV-440 & CV-580- Royal Canadian Air Force/Canadian Armed Forces (Canada) CV-540s were re engined with T56 turbo props with 412 Squadron
Colombia: CV-580 Germany: CV-440 Italy
- Aeronautica Militare Italiana CV-440 Metropolitans
Paraguay:
- Paraguayan Air Force: CV-440/C-131D
Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka Air Force - CV-440
Accidents and incidents
Specifications (CV-240)
See also
External links
- Convair CV-240, National Air and Space Museum
- C-131 Samaritan factsheet, National Museum of the United States Air Force
- C-131D Samaritan, March Field Air Museum
- C-131 Samaritan
- C-131 Samaritan, The Aviation Zone
- Gunships, The Aviation Zone
- BBC News Article about Convair CV-440
- Aero News Network Article about Convair CV-440