Convair CV-240 family

{{Short description|Twin-engine short range airliner}}  {{Infobox aircraft |name = CV-240 family |image = File:SAS Convair CV-440 Metropolitan, Ivar Viking LN-KLB in the air, in flight.jpg |caption = A Scandinavian Airlines System Convair CV-440 in flight. The CV-440 is a low-wing airliner with twin radial engines |type = Airliner |manufacturer = Convair |designer = |first_flight = March 16, 1947<ref name="Wegg">Wegg 1990, pp. 187–199.</ref> |introduction = February 29, 1948 with American Airlines |retired = |produced = 1947–1954<ref name="Wegg"/> |number_built =1,076 (Convair)<ref name="Weggp2226">Wegg 1990, pp. 222–226</ref><br/> 10 (Canadair)<ref name="Weggp226">Wegg 1990, p. 226</ref><br/> 1,086 (total) |status =In limited service |unit cost = |primary_user = American Airlines (historical)<ref name="Wegg p187-8"/> |more_users = Zantop International Airlines (historical), Air Chathams (historical) |developed_from = |variants = Convair C-131 Samaritan<br />Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan }}

The '''Convair CV-240''' is an American airliner that Convair manufactured from 1947 to 1954, initially as a possible replacement for the ubiquitous Douglas DC-3. Featuring a more modern design with cabin pressurization, the low-wing, primarily piston-driven 240 series made some inroads as a commercial airliner, spawning nearly a dozen civil variants, and five for the military, including turboprop versions for both. Though reduced in numbers by attrition, various forms of the "Convairliners" continue to fly in the 21st century.

==Design and development== The design began with a requirement by American Airlines for an airliner to replace its Douglas DC-3s. Convair's original design, the unpressurised Model 110, was a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane of all-metal construction, with 30 seats. It was powered by Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines. It had a tricycle landing gear, and a ventral airstair for passenger boarding.<ref name="Wegg p183"/> The prototype Model 110, registration NX90653, first flew on July 8, 1946.<ref name="Wegg p183"/> By this time, American Airlines had changed the requirements to include pressurization and deemed the design too small. Convair used the first prototype for 240 series development work before it had the plane broken up in 1947.<ref name="Gradidge p10">Gradidge 1997, p. 10.</ref>

[[File:Convair 240 HB-IRV Swiss Air Lines Ringway 25.03.50.jpg|thumb|left|A 1949-built Convair 240 of Swissair at Manchester, England, in March 1950]] To meet the requirements of airlines for a pressurized airliner, Convair produced a revised design—the Model 240. This had a longer but thinner fuselage than the Model 110, accommodating 40 passengers in the first pressurized, twin-engined airliner.<ref name="Wegg p187-8">Wegg 1990, pp. 187–188.</ref> The 240 first flew on March 16, 1947.<ref name="Wegg p188">Wegg 1990, p. 188.</ref>

The Model 240 was followed by the Model 340, which had a longer fuselage, longer-span wings, and more powerful engines. The 340 first flew on October 5, 1951.<ref name="Wegg p188-9">Wegg 1990, pp. 188–189.</ref> In 1954, in an attempt to compete with turboprop-powered airliners such as the Vickers Viscount, Convair produced the Model 440 Metropolitan, with more streamlined cowlings, new engine exhausts, and better cabin soundproofing.<ref name="Wegg p192">Wegg 1990, p. 192.</ref> As the "Super 240" evolved into the CV-340 and CV-440, the design reached the limit of piston-engine performance, and future development centered on conversion to turboprop power.<ref name="Wegg"/> {{clear}}

==Operational history== [[File:Convair 580 N5818 Aspen Aws DEN Stapleton 20.07.86 edited-3.jpg|thumb|Two Convair 580s of the Aspen, Colorado-based Aspen Airways at Stapleton International Airport in Denver, US in 1986]] Convair delivered the first production Convairliner to American on February 29, 1948.<ref name="Wegg p188"/> They delivered a total of 75 to American—and another 50 to Western Airlines, Continental Airlines, Pan American Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Swissair, Sabena, and Trans Australia Airlines.<ref name="Gradidge p10-1">Gradidge 1997, pp. 10–11.</ref> 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 aborted negotiations with TWA and Eastern for "Super 240" orders, Convair temporarily halted 240 series production. In response to a United inquiry, 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 was popular in South America. The CV-340 earned a reputation for reliability and profitability, and was developed into the CV-440 Metropolitan, the final piston-engined variant of the Convairliners.<ref name="Wegg"/> Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter, the major remaining operator of this model, currently holds the type certificate for this aircraft. Used price for a Convair 240 in 1960 was around £40,000.<ref name="flightglobal1960">''Flight'' November 18, 1960, p. 794.</ref>

==Variants== ''Data from:'' General Dynamics Aircraft and their predecessors<ref name="Wegg"/>

===Civil variants=== [[File:Convair 340-48 PH-TGD KLM Ringway 03.01.54 edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Convair 340 of KLM landing at Manchester Airport in 1954]] [[File:Convair 440 D-ACAD Lufthansa Kastrup 10.03.68 edited-1.jpg|thumb|right|Convair 440 Metropolitan of Lufthansa at Copenhagen Airport in 1968]] [[File:Convair 580 VH-PDL.jpg|thumb|right|Convair 580 operated by the Australian arm of New Zealand airline Pionair. This example was converted from a CV-340]] [[File:Convair 640 N866TA Kitty Hawk Willow Run 19.07.92R edited-2.jpg|thumb|right|Convair 640F freighter of Kitty Hawk Aircargo converted with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines]]

;Convair Model 110 :Unpressurized prototype with seats for 30 passengers. 89 ft (27.13 m) wingspan, 71 ft (21.64 m) length, powered by two 2,100 hp (1,567 kW) Pratt & Whitney R-2800-SC13G engines. One built.<ref name="Wegg p183">Wegg 1990, p. 183.</ref> ;Convair CV-240 :Initial production version, with seats for 40 passengers in a pressurised fuselage. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney {{convert|2400|hp|kW|abbr=on}} R-2800 engines.<ref name="Wegg p188,99">Wegg 1990, pp. 188, 199.</ref> 176 built (excluding military derivatives).<ref name="Wegg p189">Wegg 1990, p. 189.</ref> ;;Convair CV-240-21 Turboliner :Turboprop-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. Used as a test bed before being converted back to piston power.<ref name="Wegg p194">Wegg 1990, p. 194.</ref> ;Convair CV-300 : A conversion from a Convair CV-240 with two R-2800 CB-17 engines and nacelles as used on the CV-340.<ref>[http://www.prop-liners.com/cvhistory.htm "Convair-Liner History."] ''The American Museum of Aviation.'' Retrieved: October 21, 2011.</ref> ;{{visible anchor|Convair CV-340}} :Built for United Airlines and other operators including KLM, the CV-340 was a CV-240 lengthened to hold an additional four seats. The wingspan was 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 early 1953 until mid-1963. Many CV-340 aircraft were converted to CV-440 standard.<ref name="Gradidge p13">Gradidge 1997, p. 13</ref> ;{{visible anchor|Convair CV-440 Metropolitan}} :CV-340 with improved soundproofing and an option for 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 Swissair, Lufthansa and SAS.<ref name="Gradidge p13"/> Finnair operated the type from 1956 until 1980.

:On March 13, 1957, Brooklyn Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley purchased a Convair 440 Metroplitan for $734,908.96 to travel the team during the 1957 season, and this plane was used as the team moved to Los Angeles for the 1958 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Baseball's Not Dead |title=Baseball's Relocation Era (1:04:03) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkKN6ImKLIc&t=7656s|website=YouTube |access-date=26 April 2026}}</ref> ;Convair CV-540 :Conversion from a Convair CV-340 aircraft with two Napier Eland turboprop engines in place of the piston engines. Six aircraft were converted by Napier for Allegheny Airlines.<ref name="DCA">Frawley 1997, p. 86.</ref> Cost for the conversions was £160,000 per-aircraft. 12 built as new-builds by Canadair for RCAF as CC-109 in 1960 for £436,000 per-aircraft. First flight February 9, 1955.<ref>''Flight'' November 18, 1960, p. 793.</ref> When Rolls-Royce purchased Napier, the Eland program was terminated, and the Allegheny aircraft were converted back to piston power, but were later converted to Convair 580s with Allison turbo props. ;{{visible anchor|Convair CV-580}} :Conversion from Convair CV-340 (Allison Prop-Jet Convair 340) or CV-440 aircraft with two Allison 501 D13D/H turboprop engines with four-blade propellers, in place of piston engines with three-blade propellers, an enlarged vertical fin and modified horizontal stabilizers. The conversions were performed by Pacific Airmotive on behalf of the Allison Engine Company.<ref name="DCA"/> Cost of the conversions was around £175,000 per aircraft and took 60 days.<ref name="flightglobal1960"/> The CV-580 served with the original Frontier Airlines (1950-1986), Allegheny Airlines, and North Central Airlines for many years and was also the first aircraft type operated by American Eagle on behalf of American Airlines in code sharing feeder service. General Motors Air Transport (GMATs) also used CV-580's on their internal air shuttle operation which ran between Detroit Metro Airport, Dayton,OH, Anderson, IN and other locations as needed. ;Convair CV-580 Airtanker : Firefighting airtanker conversions with retardant tanks and dropping systems. ;Convair CV-600 :Conversion from a Convair 240 aircraft with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines with four-blade propellers, in place of piston engines with three-blade propellers. CV-600 conversions were performed by Convair.<ref name="DCA"/> The CV-600 first flew with Central Airlines on 30 November 1965 and also served with Trans-Texas Airways (TTa) and successor Texas International Airlines for many years. The CV-600 aircraft that flew with Air Metro Airways was configured as a 40-passenger airliner. In 2012 the last Convair CV-600 (Rhoades Aviation) went out of service.<ref name="FI">''Flight International'', October 3–9, 2006.</ref> ;{{visible anchor|Convair CV-640}} :Conversion from a Convair CV-340 or -440 with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines with four-blade propellers, in place of piston engines with three-blade propellers. The conversions were performed by Convair.<ref name="DCA"/> In 2012, a total of seven Convair CV-640 aircraft remained in airline service, with Rhoades Aviation (one) and C&M Airways (six).<ref name="FI"/> ;Convair CV-5800 [[File:KFCargoConvairCV5800C-GKFSYYJAugust2018.jpg|thumb|KF Cargo Convair CV-5800]] :A stretched Convair CV-5800 of IFL Group with this aircraft being developed by Kelowna Flightcraft (now KF Aerospace) in Canada. :Conversion from former US Navy C-131F Samaritans by Kelowna Flightcraft Ltd. (KF Aerospace since 2015) in Canada. The CV-5800 is a C-131F Samaritan stretched by 16 ft 7 in (4,98 m)<ref>[http://aerofavourites.nl/cvrlin04.htm aerofavourites, Convair CV-240 - CV-640] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170101204839/http://aerofavourites.nl/cvrlin04.htm |date=2017-01-01 }}. Retrieved: August 17, 2016.</ref> with the Samaritan's original tail unit rather than the enlarged tail of the CV-580. These conversions also have a new freight door, digital avionics with EFIS and Allison 501-D22G engines in place of the original R-2800 engines. The prototype of this conversion first flew on February 11, 1992; the type certificate was issued on December 11, 1993.<ref name="Gradidge p39">Gradidge 1997, p. 39.</ref> A total of six aircraft were converted (construction numbers 276 to 279, 309, 343) and mostly used by Contract Air Cargo (later IFL Group); one aircraft later operated by Air Freight NZ was then returned to KF Aerospace for operation in their own fleet.<ref>Klee, Ulrich & Bucher, Frank et al. ''jp airline-fleets international 2013/14''. Sutton, UK, 2013, pp. 321 and 583.</ref><ref>[http://www.ruudleeuw.com/convair_tec.htm Ruud Leeuw, ConvairLiners background information]. Retrieved: August 17, 2016.</ref> ;Allison Turbine ATF 580S Turbo Flagship :Stretched Convairliner conversion.<ref name=JAWA87-88>{{cite book |title=Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1987–88 |year=1987 |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=London |isbn=978-0-7106-0850-5 |editor=John W.R. Taylor |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/janesallworldsai0000unse }}</ref>

===Military variants=== ;Convair C-131 Samaritan :The CV-240/340/440 series was used by the United States Air Force for medical evacuation and VIP under this designation ;Convair T-29 trainer :A trainer model of the C-131 was used to instruct navigators and radio operators ;Convair R4Y Samaritan :The United States Navy used the Samaritan under this designation ;Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan :Conversion from CV-440, with Napier Eland turboprops in place of the piston engines. The conversions were performed in Canada by Canadair. In Royal Canadian Air Force and later in Canadian Armed Forces service they were known as the '''CC-109 Cosmopolitan'''. All were re-engined in 1966 with Allison 501-D13 engines. ;Canadair CL-66 :Company designation for the CC-109 Eland powered variant

==Operators==

===Civil operators=== thumb|right|KLM Convair CV-240 thumb|A Convair 580 freighter operated by the IFL Group with this aircraft being developed by Kelowna Flightcraft (now KF Aerospace) in Canada [[File:C-GQHB-2008-09-13-YVR.jpg|thumb|right|A Nolinor Convair 580 landing at Vancouver International Airport]] [[File:ZKCIBTuuta.JPG|thumb|right|An Air Chathams Convair 580 at Tuuta Airport, Chatham Islands, New Zealand, in September 2003]] [[File:North Central Airlines CV-580 N4825C.jpg|thumb|Two North Central CV-580 at O'Hare Airport, Chicago, in 1973]] {{inc-transport|date=August 2014}}

==== Africa ==== {{col div}} * Air Algerie – CV-640 * Ethiopian Air Lines – CV-240<ref>''Archive'' 1992 No. 3, pp. 64–65</ref> * Kardair (Libya) – CV-440 * Titan Helicopter Group (South Africa) – 3 CV-580 * Regional Air (South Africa – 2 CV-580) * Rovos Air (South Africa – CV-340) {{col div end}} ==== Asia ==== {{col div}} * Air Jordan – CV-240<ref name="fi8460 p491">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 491.</ref> * Air Maldives – CV-440 * All Nippon Airways – CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p492" /> * Ariana Afghan Airlines – CV-340<ref name="wraggp7">Wragg 1969, p. 7.</ref> * {{ill|Central Air Transport Corporation|zh|中央航空}} (CATC), - 6 CV-240<ref>Best ''Air-Britain Archive'' Summer 2009, p. 83</ref><ref>Best ''Air-Britain Archive'' Autumn 2009, p. 104</ref> * Garuda Indonesia – CV-240,<ref name="jawa5521">Bridgman 1955, p. 21</ref> CV-340<ref name="jawa5521" /> & CV-440<ref name="atp58">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 58</ref> * Iran Air {{citation needed|date=January 2017}} – CV-240 * Japan Domestic Airlines – CV-240 * Orient Airways CV-240<ref name="atp590">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 59–60</ref> * Pakistan International Airlines – CV-240<ref name="atp590" /> * Philippine Airlines – CV-340<ref name="jawa5526">Bridgman 1955, p. 26</ref> * Royal Air Cambodge – CV-440<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=SINGAPORE PROPLINERS 1975|url=https://www.goodall.com.au/photographs/singapore-1975/75singapore.html|access-date=10 February 2021|website=goodall.com.au}}</ref> * Saudia – CV-340<ref name="jawa5527">Bridgman 1955, p. 27</ref> * Seulawah Air Services – CV-640<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=SOUTH EAST ASIA 1960s-1970s – INDONESIA & DUTCH NEW GUINEA|url=http://www.goodall.com.au/photographs/indonesia-dutch-ng-60-70/seasiaindonesiadutchng.html|access-date=10 February 2021|website=goodall.com.au}}</ref> * South East Asia Air Transport – CV-340<ref>{{Cite web|date=|title=SINGAPORE and BALI 1980|url=http://www.goodall.com.au/photographs/singapore-bali-80/7.80%20seletarbali.html|access-date=10 February 2021|website=goodall.com.au}}</ref> * Toa Airways {{col div end}} ==== Oceania ==== {{col div}} * Air Chathams – CV-580 * Air Fiji – CV-580 * Air Freight NZ – CV-580 & CV-5800 * Airlines of New South Wales – CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p491" /> * Airlines of South Australia – CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p491" /> * Ansett Airlines – CV-340,<ref name="jawa5514">Bridgman 1955, p. 14</ref> CV-440 (some were formerly operated by Braniff International Airways)<ref name="atp578">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 57–558</ref> * Chathams Pacific – CV-580 * Pionair – CV-580 * Real Tonga – CV-580 * Trans Australia Airlines – CV-240<ref name="jawa5515">Bridgman 1955, p. 15</ref> {{col div end}} ==== Europe ==== [[File:Karair Convair Metropolitan OH-VKN.png|thumb|A Karair Convair Metropolitan (OH-VKN) after a mishap in landing in 1963, at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport]] {{col div}} * Aviaco – CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p493">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 493.</ref> * Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane – {{cnspan|CV-240|date=January 2017}}, CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p492">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 492.</ref> * Condor (& predecessor Deutsche Flugdienst) – {{cnspan|CV-240|date=January 2017}} & CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p497" /> * Delta Air Transport – CV-440 * European Air Transport – CV-580<ref name="jawa93p[37]">Lambert 1993, p. [37].</ref> * Finnair – CV-340<ref name="fi8460 p489">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 489.</ref> & CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p489" /> * Fred Olsen Air Transport – CV-340<ref>Hagby 1998, p. 34.</ref> * General Air (Germany) – CV-440 * Iberia Airlines – Convair CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p497">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 497.</ref> * JAT Yugoslav Airlines – CV-340 & CV-440 * Kar-Air CV-440<ref name="wraggp345">Wragg 1969, pp. 34–35.</ref> * KLM – CV-240<ref name="jawa5525">Bridgman 1955, p. 25</ref> & CV-340<ref name="jawa5525" /> * Linjeflyg – CV-340 & CV-440 * LOT Polish Airlines – CV-240 (5 in 1957–1966)<ref>Jońca, Adam (1986) ''Samoloty linii lotniczych 1957–1981'', WKiŁ, Warsaw, {{ISBN|83-206-0530-X}} {{in lang|pl}}, p.2</ref> * Lufthansa – CV-340<ref name="jawa5520">Bridgman 1955, p. 20</ref> & CV-440<ref name="atp55">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 55</ref> * Martinair – CV-640 * Mey-Air – CV-240 * Norsk Metropolitan Klubb – CV-440 * Nor-Fly Charter – CV-440 & CV-580 * Pan Adria Airways CV-440 * Partnair – CV-580 * {{Interlanguage link|Polaris Air Transport|de}} – CV-240 * SABENA – CV-240<ref name="jawa5515" /> & CV-440<ref name="atp55" /> * SAS – CV-440 * SATA, SA de Transport Aérien – CV-440 & CV-640 * Stellar Airfreighter (Norway) – CV-440 * Swiftair – CV-580 * Swissair – CV-240 & CV-440<ref name="atp55" /> * Tellair – CV-440 {{col div end}} ==== United States and Canada ==== {{col div}} * Air Mid-America – CV-600 * Air New England – CV-580<ref name="Gradidge p67">Gradidge 1997, p. 67.</ref> * Air Ontario – CV-580, CV-640<ref name="Gradidge p67"/> * Air Rajneesh – CV-240<ref name="Gradidge p67"/> * Air Resorts – CV-440 * Air Tahoma – CV-240 & CV-580 * Allegheny Airlines - {{cnspan|CV-340|date=January 2017}}, CV-440,<ref name="Gradidge p690">Gradidge 1997, pp. 69–70.</ref> CV-540<ref name="fi8460 p492" /> & CV-580<ref name="Gradidge p690"/> * Alaska Airlines – CV-240 * American Airlines – CV-240<ref name="fi8460 p492" /> * American Eagle – See Metro Airlines * American Inter-Island – CV-440 (wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, which operated flights between San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Croix in the Caribbean) * Aspen Airways – CV-240, CV-440 & CV-580 * Atlantic Gulf Airlines – CV-580 * Bar Harbor Airlines – CV-600 * Braniff International Airways – CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="fi8460 p493" /> * Buffalo Airways – CV-240 bought for its engines, not put in service * Cal Sierra Airlines – CV-580 * Canadian Pacific Airlines – CV-240<ref name="fi8460 p495">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 495.</ref> * Caribair (Puerto Rico) – CV-340, CV-440 & CV-640 * Central Airlines – CV-240 & CV-600 * Charter Airlines – CV-580 * Cochise Airlines – CV-440 * Conair Group – CV-580 * Continental Airlines – CV-240, CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="atp445">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 44–45</ref> * Continental Express – CV-580 (operated by Trans-Colorado Airlines) * Cordova Airlines – CV-240 (acquired by and merged into Alaska Airlines) * Delta Air Lines – CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="atp45">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 45</ref> * Desert Air – CV-240 * Eastern Air Lines – CV-440<ref name="atp45" /> * Era Aviation – CV-580 * Executive Airlines – CV-440 * Freedom Airlines – CV-580 * Frontier Airlines (1950–1986) – CV-240, CV-340, CV-440, CV-580 & CV-600 (CV-600 aircraft formerly operated by Central Airlines) * General Aviation - CV240, CV-340 and CV-440 * Great Lakes Airlines (Canada) – CV-440 & CV-580 * Gulf Air Transport – CV-340, CV-440 & CV-580 (U.S. charter air carrier. CV-580 aircraft were formerly operated by North Central and Republic.) * Harrison Airways (Canada) – CV-440 * Hawaiian Airlines – CV-340,<ref name="jawa5520" /> CV-440 & CV-640<ref name="atp45680">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 45–46, 80</ref> * IFL Group – CV-580 & CV-5800 * Interstate Airlines - CV-580 * Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter (KF Aerospace) – CV-580 & CV-5800 * Kitty Hawk Aircargo – Convair CV-240, CV-340, CV-440, CV-600 and CV-640 * L&J Company of Addison, Texas – CV-240 (aircraft tragically crashed with the band Lynyrd Skynyrd on board)<ref>1977 Convair CV-240 crash</ref> * Lake Central Airlines – CV-340 & CV-580 * Laredo Air – CV-580 * Mackey International – CV-440 & CV-580 * Metro Airlines (via its wholly owned Metroflight division) – CV-580 (former Frontier Airlines aircraft that were operated for American Eagle via agreement with American Airlines) * Miami Air Lease – CV-440 * Midwest Air Charter/Airborne Express – CV-600 * Mohawk Airlines – CV-240 & CV-440<ref name="atp46">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 46</ref> * National Airlines – CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="atp47">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 47</ref> * Nolinor Aviation – CV-580 * Norcanair – CV-580 & CV-640 * Nordair (Nordair Metro division) – CV-580 * North Central Airlines – CV-580 * Northeast Airlines – CV-240<ref name="atp478">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 47–48</ref> * Northwest Airlines – CV-580 (former Republic Airlines aircraft that were previously operated by North Central Airlines) * Pacific Western Airlines – CV-640 * Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) – CV-240 & CV-340<ref name="atp48">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 48</ref> * Powell Air – CV-440 * Quebecair – CV-540 (CL-66) * Renown Aviation – CV-440 & CV-580 * Republic Airlines – CV-580 (formerly operated by North Central Airlines) * Resort Air Commuter – CV-580 * Rhoades Aviation – CV-640 * Sea Airmotive – CV-340, CV-440 & CV-580 * Sierra Pacific Airlines – CV-340, CV-440 & CV-580 * Skyfreighters – CV-440 * SMB Stage Lines – CV-600 & CV-640 * Summit Airlines – CV-580 * Sun Valley Key Airlines – CV-440 (U.S. commuter air carrier previously known as Sun Valley Airlines, which operated out of Salt Lake City, UT and Sun Valley, ID, and then changed its name back to Key Airlines) * Trans-Texas Airways (TTa) – CV-240 & CV-600 * Texas International Airlines – CV-600 (former Trans-Texas Airways aircraft) * Time Air – CV-580 & CV-640 (former Norcan Air and North Caribou, also one previously owned by Domino's Pizza) * Trans-Colorado Airlines – CV-580 (aircraft painted in the livery of Continental Express) * United Airlines – CV-340<ref name="atp489">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 48–49</ref> & CV-580 (CV-580 aircraft operated via wet lease contract by Frontier Airlines (1950–1986) as the replacement for former United Douglas DC-6 service to Elko, NV and Ely, NV) * Viking International Airlines – CV-600 & CV-640 * Westates Airlines – CV-580 * Western Airlines – CV-240<ref name="atp490">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 49–50</ref> * Wright Air Lines – CV-440, CV-600 & CV-640 * Zantop International Airlines – Convair 640 {{col div end}}

==== Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America ==== {{col div}} * Aero California – CV-340 * Aerocaribe – CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="jawa93p[27]">Lambert 1993, p. [27].</ref> * Aerolíneas Argentinas – CV-240<ref name="fi8460 p489" /> * Aerolineas Colonia (Uruguay) – CV-240 * Aeromexico – CV-340<ref name="fi8460 p489" /> * Aeroquetzal – CV-580 * ALM Antillean Airlines – CV-340 & CV-440 * Arawak Airlines (Trinidad and Tobago) CV-440 * ARCO Aerolíneas Colonia S.A. (Uruguay) – CV-240, CV-600 * Avensa – CV-240, CV-340,<ref name="fi8460 p490">''Flight'' April 8, 1960, p. 490.</ref> CV-580 * Aviateca – CV-240, CV-340 & CV-440 * Caribair (Puerto Rico) – see North America * Chilean Airways – CV-580 * COPA Compañia Panameña de Aviación – CV-340 * Cruzeiro do Sul – CV-240, CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="atp523">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 52–53</ref> * {{Interlanguage link|Flota Aérea Mercante Argentina|de}} (FAMA)<ref>Tony Eastwood, John Roach: ''Piston Engine Airliner Production List''. The Aviation Hobby Shop, West Drayton, 2007.</ref> * LACSA – CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="atp534">Veronico & Larkins 2005, pp. 53–54</ref> * Líneas Aéreas Paraguayas (LAP) – 3 CV-240 * LAN Chile – CV-440 * Prinair – CV-580 * Real Transportes Aéreos – CV-340 & CV-440<ref name="atp53">Veronico & Larkins 2005, p. 53</ref> * SAHSA – CV-580 * Transportes Aéreos Nacional – CV-440 * Varig – CV-240, CV-340 & CV-440 {{col div end}}

===Military operators=== thumb|CV-440 operated by Luftwaffe

; {{AUS}} * Royal Australian Air Force - Two CV-440 Metropolitans (RAAF serial ''A95-313 and 353'') were in service with RAAF from 1956 to 1968.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite book|last1=Wilson|first1=Stewart|title=Military Aircraft of Australia|date=1994|publisher=Aerospace Publications|location=Weston Creek, Australia|isbn=978-1-875671-08-3|page=216}}</ref> ** No. 34 Squadron RAAF ; {{flag|Bolivia}}: * Transporte Aéreo Militar - Six CV-440s and five CV-580s acquired. One of each remaining as of 1987.<ref>Siegrist 1987, p. 175.</ref> ; {{CAN}} * Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Armed Forces CV-540s were re engined with T56 turbo props with 412 Squadron ; {{flag|Colombia}}: CV-580 ; {{flag|Germany}}: * Luftwaffe operated six CV-440s. ; {{flag|Italy}} * Italian Air Force operated four CV-440 Metropolitans from 1957 until 1978<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/italy/af/ital-af2-all-time.htm|title=Italian Air Force Aircraft Types|website=www.aeroflight.co.uk}}</ref> ; {{flag|Mexico}} * Mexican Air Force CV-580 Nowadays used as an AEW&C Simulator on AFB #1 Santa Lucia ; {{flag|Paraguay}}: * Paraguayan Air Force: CV-440/C-131D ; {{Flag|Sri Lanka}} * Sri Lanka Air Force - CV-440

===Other operators=== thumb|National Research Council of Canada Convair-580 ; {{CAN}} * National Research Council (Canada) ([https://nrc.canada.ca/en/research-development/nrc-facilities/research-aircraft-fleet CV-580] C-FNRC<ref>Derden, Jonathan. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/National-Research-Council/Convair-580/1362165/L/ "Convair 580."] ''airliners.net,'' April 19, 2008. Retrieved: June 7, 2011.</ref> multi purpose flying laboratory, mainly used for airborne atmospheric research,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gardy|first=Jennifer|date=2016|title=Myth or Science: In the Eye of the Storm|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2681849032|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=|date=2019|title=Aircraft Campaign over Canada's Iqaluit YOPP Supersite|work=PolarPredictNews|url=https://www.polarprediction.net/fileadmin/user_upload/www.polarprediction.net/Home/PolarPredictNews/PPN_10/PolarPredictNews10_final_web.pdf#page=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Schuettemeyer|first=Dirk|date=2018|title=Measuring precipitation in the Arctic|url=https://blogs.esa.int/campaignearth/2019/02/19/measuring-precipitation-in-the-arctic/|url-status=live|website=European Space Agency Blogs|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023003933/https://blogs.esa.int/campaignearth/2019/02/19/measuring-precipitation-in-the-arctic/ |archive-date=2020-10-23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Thurton|first=David|date=2018|title=Flying air-monitoring lab tests emissions in oilsands region|work=CBC|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/fort-mcmurray-airplane-emissions-lab-1.4717359}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rosuck|first=Ethan|date=2019|title=Meteorology students take part in aircraft icing research|work=23WIFR|url=https://www.wifr.com/content/news/Meteorology-students-take-part-in-aircraft-icing-research-506583441.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Pearson|first=Marilyn|date=2020|title=Operation ICICLE|work=FAA Safety briefing|url=https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/2020/media/MarApr2020.pdf#page=21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Thatcher|first=Chris|date=2019|title=NRC studies aircraft icing|work=SKIES Magazine|url=https://skiesmag.com/news/nrc-studies-aircraft-icing/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=2019|title=Scientists fly plane into winter storm to study the impact of icy conditions|work=9News|url=https://www.9news.com/video/tech/science/scientists-fly-plane-into-winter-storm-to-study-the-impact-of-icy-conditions/73-43c51f8a-1d88-4255-9d74-0fdf7b8f10c6}}</ref> carrying more than 40 in-situ sensors and cloud probes and remote sensing instrumentation such as X,W band radars, 355 nm lidars, and radiometers.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Brown|first1=Anthony P.|last2=Wolde|first2=Mengistu|last3=Korolev|first3=Alexei|date=2016-06-13|title=In-situ Wind-fields Measured by the NRC Convair during HAIC-HIWC 2015|url=http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2016-4202|journal=8th AIAA Atmospheric and Space Environments Conference|series=AIAA AVIATION Forum|language=en|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|doi=10.2514/6.2016-4202|isbn=978-1-62410-433-6|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Liggio|first1=John|last2=Li|first2=Shao-Meng|last3=Staebler|first3=Ralf M.|last4=Hayden|first4=Katherine|last5=Darlington|first5=Andrea|last6=Mittermeier|first6=Richard L.|last7=O’Brien|first7=Jason|last8=McLaren|first8=Robert|last9=Wolde|first9=Mengistu|last10=Worthy|first10=Doug|last11=Vogel|first11=Felix|date=December 2019|title=Measured Canadian oil sands CO2 emissions are higher than estimates made using internationally recommended methods|url= |journal=Nature Communications|language=en|volume=10|issue=1|pages=1863|doi=10.1038/s41467-019-09714-9|issn=2041-1723|pmc=6478833|pmid=31015411|bibcode=2019NatCo..10.1863L}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Wolde|first1=Mengistu|last2=Nguyen|first2=Cuong|last3=Korolev|first3=Alexei|last4=Bastian|first4=Matthew|date=2016-06-13|title=Characterization of the Pilot X-band radar responses to the HIWC environment during the Cayenne HAIC-HIWC 2015 Campaign|url=http://arc.aiaa.org/doi/10.2514/6.2016-4201|journal=8th AIAA Atmospheric and Space Environments Conference|series=AIAA AVIATION Forum|language=en|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics|doi=10.2514/6.2016-4201|isbn=978-1-62410-433-6|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Pazmany|first1=Andrew L.|last2=Wolde|first2=Mengistu|title=2008 Microwave Radiometry and Remote Sensing of the Environment |chapter=A compact airborne G-band (183 GHZ) water Vapor Radiometer and retrievals of liquid cloud parameters from coincident radiometer and millimeter wave radar measurements |date=March 2008|location=Florence, Italy|publisher=IEEE|pages=1–4|doi=10.1109/MICRAD.2008.4579473|isbn=978-1-4244-1986-9|s2cid=25720593}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baibakov|first1=Konstantin|last2=Wolde|first2=Mengistu|last3=Nguyen|first3=Cuong|last4=Korolev|first4=Alexei|last5=Heckman|first5=Ivan|date=2018|editor-last=Nicolae|editor-first=D.|editor2-last=Makoto|editor2-first=A.|editor3-last=Vassilis|editor3-first=A.|editor4-last=Balis|editor4-first=D.|editor5-last=Behrendt|editor5-first=A.|editor6-last=Comeron|editor6-first=A.|editor7-last=Gibert|editor7-first=F.|editor8-last=Landulfo|editor8-first=E.|editor9-last=McCormick|editor9-first=M.P.|title=Retrievals of ice-water content from an airborne elastic lidar in tropical convective clouds|journal=EPJ Web of Conferences|volume=176|pages=05051|doi=10.1051/epjconf/201817605051|bibcode=2018EPJWC.17605051B|issn=2100-014X|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Korolev|first1=Alexei|last2=Heckman|first2=Ivan|last3=Wolde|first3=Mengistu|last4=Ackerman|first4=Andrew S.|last5=Fridlind|first5=Ann M.|last6=Ladino|first6=Luis A.|last7=Lawson|first7=R. Paul|last8=Milbrandt|first8=Jason|last9=Williams|first9=Earle|date=2020-02-05|title=A new look at the environmental conditions favorable to secondary ice production|url=https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/20/1391/2020/|journal=Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics|language=en|volume=20|issue=3|pages=1391–1429|doi=10.5194/acp-20-1391-2020|bibcode=2020ACP....20.1391K|issn=1680-7324|doi-access=free|hdl=1721.1/158534|hdl-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Baibakov|first1=Konstantin|last2=LeBlanc|first2=Samuel|last3=Ranjbar|first3=Keyvan|last4=O'Neill|first4=Norman T.|last5=Wolde|first5=Mengistu|last6=Redemann|first6=Jens|last7=Pistone|first7=Kristina|last8=Li|first8=Shao-Meng|last9=Liggio|first9=John|last10=Hayden|first10=Katherine|last11=Chan|first11=Tak W.|date=2020-12-21|title=Airborne and ground-based measurements of aerosol optical depth of freshly emitted anthropogenic plumes in the Athabasca Oil Sands region|journal=Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics|volume=21|issue=13|pages=10671–10687|url=https://acp.copernicus.org/preprints/acp-2020-1218/|doi=10.5194/acp-2020-1218|s2cid=241004223|doi-access=free}}</ref> )

* Canada Centre for Remote Sensing, later Environment Canada, retired to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in June 2015 in recognition of its historical significance to Canadian science (CV-580 C-GRSC<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/newsroom/news-convair-580-2015.php |title= Radar Remote Sensing Pioneering Convair 580 Added To Canada Aviation And Space Museum Collection |publisher= Canadian Air and Space Museum |date= 24 June 2015 |access-date= 15 September 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150919075043/http://casmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/newsroom/news-convair-580-2015.php |archive-date= 19 September 2015 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref>) ; {{CHN}} * CAAC - One CATC CV-240 defected to the People's Republic in November 1949. This may have been used as a VIP aircraft.<ref>Best ''Air-Britain Archive'' Winter 2011, pp. 158–159</ref><ref>Best ''Air-Britain Archive'' Spring 2012, p. 17</ref> ; {{USA}} * Airborne Imaging, (C-131B N131CR<ref>Smithson, Peter. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/Airborne-Imaging/Convair-C-131B-(340-70)/1811012/L/ "Convair C-131B (340-70) aircraft."] ''airliners.net,'' October 26, 2010. Retrieved: June 7, 2011.</ref>) * Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, later Veridian and then General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems (CV-580s N51211)<ref>Groenendijk, Bob. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-(Environmental-Research/Convair-580/1126961/L/ "Convair 580."] ''airliners.net,'' 1981. Retrieved: June 7, 2011.</ref> and N51255<ref>Kempf, Steve. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/ERIM/Convair-580/0737441/L/ "Convair 580."] ''airliners.net,'' December 2, 2004. Retrieved: June 7, 2011.</ref>{{Failed verification |date=July 2024 |reason=No identified operator}}) * Honeywell International, Everett Washington (CV-580 N580HW<ref>King, Royal S. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/Honeywell-Flight-Test/Convair-580/2172614/L/ "Convair 580."] ''airliners.net,'' August 5, 2012 Retrieved: November 14, 2012.</ref>) * Raytheon, Tucson Arizona (CV-580 N580HH<ref>Lockett, Brian. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/Untitled-(Raytheon)/Convair-580/1340695/L/ "Convair 580."] ''airliners.net,'' February 25, 2008. Retrieved: June 7, 2011.</ref>) * University of Washington, (CV-580 N3UW<ref>Rodriguez, Javier. [http://www.airliners.net/photo/University-of-Washington/Convair-580/1215748/L/ "Convair 580."] ''airliners.net,'' 1999. Retrieved: June 7, 2011.</ref>)

==Accidents and incidents== {{Main|List of accidents and incidents involving the Convair CV-240 family}}

==Specifications (CV-240)== frameless|right|3-view line drawing of the Convair 240

{{Aircraft specs |ref=''General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors.''<ref name="Wegg p188,99"/> |prime units?=imp  |genhide=

|crew=2 or 3 flight deck crew |capacity=40 |length m= |length ft=74 |length in=8 |length note= |span m= |span ft=91 |span in=9 |span note= |height ft=26 |height in=11 |height note= |wing area sqm= |wing area sqft=817 |wing area note= |aspect ratio= |airfoil= |empty weight kg= |empty weight lb=25445 |empty weight note= (revised {{convert|29,500|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}}) |gross weight kg= |gross weight lb=40500 |gross weight note= (revised {{convert|42,500|lb|kg|abbr=on|0}}) |max takeoff weight kg= |max takeoff weight lb= |max takeoff weight note= |fuel capacity={{convert|1,000|USgal|L|abbr=on|2}} - {{convert|1,550|USgal|L|abbr=on|2}} |more general=  |eng1 number=2 |eng1 name=Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CA3 Double Wasp / CA15 / CA18 / CB3 or CB16 |eng1 type=18-cyl air-cooled radial engines |eng1 kw= |eng1 hp=2400 |eng1 note= |power original=

|perfhide=

|power/mass= |thrust/weight=

|more performance=

|avionics= }}

==See also== {{aircontent| |related= * Convair C-131 Samaritan * Canadair CC-109 Cosmopolitan |similar aircraft= * Airspeed Ambassador * HS 748 * Ilyushin Il-12 * Martin 2-0-2 * Martin 4-0-4 * Saab 90 Scandia * Vickers VC.1 Viking |lists= |see also= }}

==References==

===Notes=== {{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography=== * Best, Martin S. "The Development of Commercial Aviation in China: Part 8A: Central Air Transport Corporation". ''Air Britain Archive'', Summer 2009. pp. 75–92. {{ISSN|0262-4923}}. * Best, Martin S. "The Development of Commercial Aviation in China: Part 8B: Central Air Transport Corporation - Fleet Lists". ''Air Britain Archive'', Autumn 2009. pp. 103–118. {{ISSN|0262-4923}} * Best, Martin S. "The Development of Commercial Aviation in China: Part 14: Civil Aviation Administration of China". ''Air Britain Archive'', Winter 2011. pp. 153–171. {{ISSN|0262-4923}} * Best, Martin S. "The Development of Commercial Aviation in China: Part 14: Civil Aviation Administration of China". ''Air Britain Archive'', Winter 2011. pp. 153–171. {{ISSN|0262-4923}} * Best, Martin S. "The Development of Commercial Aviation in China: Part 14B: Civil Aviation Administration of China". ''Air Britain Archive'', Spring 2012. pp. 15–28. {{ISSN|0262-4923}} * Bridgman, Leonard (ed.) ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1955–56''. New York: The McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. * [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1960/1960%20-%202659.html "Commercial Aircraft of the World".] ''Flight'', November 18, 1960. Vol. 78, No. 2697. pp. 781–827. {{ISSN|0015-3710}}. * "Complete Civil Registers: 7: Ethiopia ET: Part Two". ''Archive''. 1996, No. 3. Air-Britain Historians. pp. 63–68. {{ISSN|0262-4923}}. * Corrie, N. ''Convair 240 to 640''. Galago Publishing Ltd. Bromley (Kent). 1997. * Frawley, Gerald. "Convair CV-540, 580, 600, 640 & CV5800". ''The International Directory of Civil Aircraft 1997/98''. Fyshwick ACT, Aerospace Publications, 199, p. 86 {{ISBN|1-875671-26-9}}. * Gradidge, Jennifer. ''The Convairliners Story.'' Tonbridge, Kent, UK: Air-Britain (Historians) Ltd., first edition, 1997, {{ISBN|0-85130-243-2}}. * Hagby, Kay . [http://www.nb.no/nbsok/nb/e38c175e6746f06628c09886091e4707 ''Fra Nielsen & Winther til Boeing 747.''] Drammen, Norway. Hagby, 1998. {{ISBN|82-994752-0-1}}. * Lambert, Mark. ''Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1993–94''. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Data Division, 1993. {{ISBN|0-7106-1066-1}}. * Siegrist, Martin. "Bolivian Air Power — Seventy Years On". ''Air International'', Vol. 33, No. 4, October 1987. pp. 170–176, 194. {{ISSN|0306-5634}}. * Veronico, Nicholas A. & Larkins, William T. ''Convair Twins: Piston Convair-Liners: Prop-Jet Turbo Liners''. Airliner Tech Series, Volume 12. North Branch, Minnesota: Speciality Press Publishers, 2005. {{ISBN|978-1-58007-073-7}}. * Wegg, John. ''General Dynamics Aircraft and their Predecessors.'' London: Putnam & Company Ltd., 1990. {{ISBN|0-87021-233-8}}. * Wragg, David W. ''World's Air Fleets''. London: Ian Allan, 2nd edition, 1969. {{ISBN|0-7110-0085-9}}. * [https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1960/1960%20-%200484.html "World Airline Directory"]. ''Flight'', April 8, 1960, Vol. 77, No. 2665. pp. 484–516. {{ISSN|0015-3710}}.

== Further reading == * Killion G.L., ''The Convair twins 240 to 640'', MacDonald & Jane's Publishers Ltd., London, 1979

==External links== {{Commons category|Convair CV-240}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060105044504/http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/convair_240.htm Convair CV-240, National Air and Space Museum] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150707231656/http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=783 C-131 Samaritan factsheet, National Museum of the United States Air Force] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20070117164206/http://www.marchfield.org/c131d.htm C-131D Samaritan, March Field Air Museum] * [http://www.theaviationzone.com/factsheets/c131.asp C-131 Samaritan, The Aviation Zone] * [http://www.theaviationzone.com/factsheets/gunships.asp Gunships, The Aviation Zone] * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/glasgow_and_west/7377359.stm BBC News Article about Convair CV-440] * [http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?ContentBlockID=c32cab76-a2ba-434c-ac18-b3bcefa59909& Aero News Network Article about Convair CV-440] *[https://navigator.innovation.ca/en/facility/national-research-council-canada/nrc-flight-research-laboratory-convair-580-aircraft Canadian Research Facilities Navigator: NRC Flight Research Laboratory Convair-580 aircraft]

CV-240 Category:1940s United States airliners Category:1950s United States airliners Category:Low-wing aircraft Category:Aircraft first flown in 1947 Category:Twin piston-engined tractor aircraft Category:Aircraft with retractable tricycle landing gear