The Convair CV-240, CV-340, and CV-440
Convair, which is a contraction of Consoldated-Vultee Aircraft, was located in San Diego (the home of the Classic Airliner Page), and produced the B-24 Liberator and the B-36 Peacemaker, among other famous planes. The Convair-Liner project started with the CV-110 prototype, but American convinced Convair to alter it into the CV-240. Convair wanted American's order for 50 aircraft, and took a large loss on the order which CR Smith eventually allowed to be reduced to allow Convair to sell the planes at a profit. Other US operators included Western, Pan Am, Continental, and Northeast. After the aborted negotiations with TWA and Eastern for a "Super 240" (see the Martin 404 page), Convair realized that airlines were not going to accept their current offering, and in response to a United inquiry, developed a plane very similar to the cancelled Super 240, and called it the CV-340. United took 55, and more US orders came from Braniff, Continental, Delta, Northeast, and National. The CV-340 earned an enviable reputation for reliability and profitability, and was also popular in South America. The final piston-powered development of the Convair-Liner was the CV-440 Metropolitan, which was 5 mph faster and quieter than the CV-340. Although a fine aircraft, most sales were made overseas, and especially in Europe. In the US, Continental, National, Braniff, Delta, and Eastern all had small fleets.
The lives of the CV-340 and CV-440 have been lengthened by the conversion to turboprop power, the most common engine used being the Allison 501, named the CV-580. This conversion increases speed by by 40 mph, and provides a much more economical operation. Many CV-580's are still in service, along with rapidly dwindling numbers of piston-powered Convair-Liners.
Paint kit for GMAX CV-240's (6MB) and CV-340/440's (13MB). Contains layered PSD files (usable in both Photoshop and Paint Shop Pro) which allow you to place your paint scheme between the bare metal layers and the windows and doors. Makes for fast painting! Note: there are no instructions in the file; follow the detailed instructions in my PSP Repainting Tutorial.
Startup flames/smoke Package by Wayne Tudor available!
NOTE: These planes use a new approach to releasing planes here at CalClassic. These planes are released as Base Packs (CV-240 with CA-18 engines, CV-240 with CB-16 engines, CV-340 with CB-16 engines, and CV-440 with CB-17 engines). You will add all other liveries downloaded here or from the web to these Base Packs.
As of 5/26/09: These Base Packs now feature a much improved
VC with overhead panel, pedestal, and draggable levers:
FS2004/FS2002/FSX American
Air Lines CV-240 CA-18 Base Pack. Greg
Pepper has created this great GMAX CV-240 and painted it into the lightning-stripe
colors of American. It looks particularly good on the little Convair,
don't you think? This plane has reflections, night lighting, moving flaps,
gear, props, and opening door, and is made to work well with the included
KMCC CV-240 Panel (Prop Sounds included too). Includes
flight dynamics for a CV-240 equipped with CA-18 engines by FSAviator.
14MB. Last modified on 5/26/09. FS2000/FS98
version painted by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 3/5/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Western
Air Lines CV-240 CB-16 Base Pack. Here
is the GMAX CV240 with ventral airstairs! I've painted it into the
colors of Western Air Lines, a western regional airline well known for good
and friendly service. Dave McQueen also generously donated photos used
in this project - thanks Dave! This plane also has flight dynamics for a CV-240
with CB-16 engines from FSAviator - great! You must download and
install the American CV-240 above to get the proper panel and sounds!
Last modified on 5/26/09. FS2000/FS98
version. Last modified on 6/23/03.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX United
Air Lines CV-340 Base Pack. Greg Pepper
has created a great CV-340, complete with radar nose, modeling the CV-340 in
later years. This version has reflections, night lighting, moving flaps,
gear, props, and opening door, and is made to work well with the included
KMCC CV-340 Panel (Prop Sounds included too). I've
painted it in the typical "old" United paint scheme, and it's ready to load
up passengers for that local run. Since I grew up in Sacramento, California,
it's only appropriate that I painted it as N73109, the Mainliner Sacramento.
It has flight dynamics for a CV-340 with CB-16 engines by FSAviator. It
also now includes new VC textures from Edd Jezard. Thanks, all! 20MB.
Last modified on 5/26/09. FS2000/FS98
version. Last modified on 3/5/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Continental Air Lines CV-440 Base Pack. (no image) While Continental never flew CV-440's into California, due to the frequent requests for the latest versions of this model I have placed this Base Pack on my page. It will provide you with the latest versions of the CV-440 model, along with the latest flight dynamics by FSAviator for the CV-440 with CB-17 engines. You must download and install the United CV-340 above to get the proper panel and sounds! Last Modified on 5/26/09.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Transocean
Air Lines CV-240. Dave McQueen has also repainted Greg's GMAX CV240
into the colors of his favorite airline, Transocean. TALOA (Transocean
Air Lines of OAkland (CA)) was the largest supplemental carrier of the 1950's,
utilizing a wide range of aircraft. Thanks Dave! You must download
and install the American CV-240 above to use as a base pack for these textures
(use only the textures from this download). Last updated on 7/8/03.
FS5 version. Last updated on 1/25/97.