The Convair 240-series was a medium-size airliner designed in the late 40s, built specifically to replace the venerable DC-3 in short and medium routes. While it didn’t quite replace it (NOTHING replaces a DC-3!), it did a terrific job at hauling 40-50 passengers at a great speeds and pressurized comfort. The 240 spawned the extended 340 and 440 models, which all fulfilled their jobs at airlines until their replacement by turbroprops and regional jets. Convairs went on flying for small cargo operators and private charters, and unfortunately, not many remain airworthy. Notably, part of Lynard Skynard’s crew met their demise in one in 1977.
Convairs were powered by the venerable Pratt & Whitney R-2800 radial engines, one of the most reliable ever built. Topping it off, Convairs were equipped with “augmentors”, which gave it a distinctive howl that set it apart from its contemporaries. And making it one of my favorite sounding aircraft!
The Convairs unmistakable haunting roar were part of my childhood while growing up in Fort Lauderdale, as they criss-crossed the sky enroute to the Bahamas from their Florida bases.
What do you think of the radial-powered Convairs?
Video Credits:
• Air Tahoma Inc Convair...
• Convair 440 ZS-BRV eng...
• DOOR OPENS IN FLIGHT!!...
• N150PA Wet Departure |...
• Fresh Air-Jet One Expr...
• CONVAIR 440 Arrives HA...
• Convair CV-440 & CV-58...
• Convair 240 Start
• Airliners Internationa...
• Convair CV-240 Take off
• Convair 240/C-131 take...
• Convair runup
• Convair 152JR Start
• flight
• Convair CV-240 takeoff...
• Miami Air Lease Convai...
• Convair C-131B Departu...
• Convair start-up
• Miami Air Lease Short ...
• Carnicero flight with ...
• Convair 340 low flyover
• SJU plane spotting Con...
• Convair 340 Landing in...
• Convair C-131B La Paz
• Air Resorts Airlines C...
• Conquest Cargo Convair...
• Tolair Convair 440
• SXM - St. Maarten. 195...
• Thunder pig convair 44...
• Trans Dominican Airway...
10 авг 2023
