The Convair CV-240 and CV-340
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.
Indicates
I built and painted the plane, or a Greg Pepper/Tom Gibson collaboration.
Indicates
someone else painted my plane - thanks!
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.
FS2004 Flight Model Updates for the CV-240, CV-340, and CV-440. Improves flight behavior for FS2004.
Startup flames/smoke Package by Wayne Tudor available!
FS2004/FS2002/FSX American
Air Lines CV-240. Greg Pepper has repainted his new GMAX CV-240 into
the lightning-stripe colors of American. It looks particularly good on
the little Convair, don't you think? This new version 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) - you will need to download and install the CV-240
& 340 v6 panels for FS2002 instead. Now features wing views in
the VC, improved cockpit windows, and other improvements! Flight dynamics
by FSAviator. 11MB. Last modified on 12/17/07. FS2000/FS98
version painted by Rich Boehringer. Last updated on 3/5/00.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX Western
Air Lines CV-240. Here is a new 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 the new FS2002 flight dynamics from FSAviator - great! You
must download the CV-240 panel and Prop
Sounds separately! Last modified on 10/16/07. FS2000/FS98
version. Last modified on 6/23/03.
FS2004/FS2002/FSX United
Air Lines CV-340. Greg Pepper has created a new CV-340, complete with
radar nose, modeling the CV-340 in later years. This new 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) - you will need to download and install the CV-340
v6 panel for FS2002 instead. Now features wing views in the VC, improved
cockpit windows, and other improvements! 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
by FSAviator. Thanks, all! 11 MB. Last modified on 12/17/07.
FS2000/FS98 version. Last modified on
3/5/00.
FS2002 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! Last updated on 7/8/03.
FS5 version. Last updated on 1/25/97.