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Convair 240




The Convair 240 was an airliner produced by Consolidated Vultee from 1947 to 1956 . The design began life in a production requirement by American Airlines for a pressurized airliner to replace the classic Douglas DC-3 . Convair's original design had two engines and 40 seats, and thus it was designated the '''CV-240'''. The first 240 flew on March 16 , 1947 , and production aircraft were first delivered to American on February 28 , 1948 . Seventy-five were delivered to American, with another fifty going to Western Airlines , Continental Airlines , Pan American Airways , KLM , and Trans-Australia Airlines .

The CV-240 was used by the United States Air Force for medical evacuation and VIP transport and was designated as C-131 Samaritan; the U.S. Navy used the Samaritan as the '''R4Y'''. The C-131 was eventually replaced by the C-9 Nightingale . It was also designated as the '''T-29''' and used by the Air Force and the Navy as a navigator trainer. The T-29 was evenually replaced by the T-43 .

A CV-240 was the first private aircraft used in a United States presidential campaign. In 1960, John F. Kennedy used a CV-240 dubbed ''Caroline'' during his campaign. This aircraft is now preserved in the National Air And Space Museum .

The CV-340, built for United Airlines , was lengthened to hold and additional four seats. The wings were also enlarged for better performance at higher altitudes.

The CV-440 Metropolitan had improved soundproofing and an option of weather radar.

The Convair 580 is a conversion from a Convair 340 aircraft with the original piston engines replaced with two Allison 501 D13D Turboprop engines.

The Convair 600 is a conversion from a Convair 240 aircraft with the original piston engines replaced with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines. The CV-600 first flew with Central Airlines on 30 November 1965. The CV-600 aircraft that flew with Air Metro Airways was configured as a forty passenger airliner.

The Convair 640 is a conversion from either a Convair 340 or 440 with the original piston engines replaced with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines.

Ten CL-66 aircraft were build by Canadair in Canada, they were a version of the Convair 440 with Napier Eland turbo-props. In canadian service they were known as the CC-109 Cosmopolitan.

The Convair 5800 is a conversion from a Convair 580 by Kelowna Flightcraft in Canada. The 5800 is a 580 stretched by 14ft 3in with the 440's original tail unit. These conversions also have a new freight door and digital avionics with EFIS.

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SPECIFICATIONS



General characteristics

  • Wingspan: 91 ft 9 in (28.0 m)

  • Length: 74 ft 8 in (22.8 m)

  • Height: 26 ft 11 in (8.20 m)

  • Wing area: 817 ft&2 (75.9 m&2)



Weights

  • Empty weight: 25,445 lb (11,540 kg)

  • Maximum gross weight: 42,500 lb (19,280 kg)



Performance

  • Maximum speed: 315 mph (507 km/h)

  • Cruise: 280 mph (451 km/h)

  • Ceiling: 16,000 ft (4,880 m)

  • Range: 1,200 mi (1930 km)

  • Climb rate: 1,520 ft/min (463 m/min)



MILITARY OPERATORS

  • Bolivia - Convair 440 & 580

  • Canada - CC-109

  • Germany - Convair 440

  • Italy - Convair 440

  • Paraguay - Convair C-131

  • Spain - Convair 440

  • Sri Lanka - Convair 440

  • United States

  • --- Air Force - T-29 & C-131

  • --- Navy - R4Y/C-131



REFERENCES

  • http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/aero/aircraft/convair_240.htm