The Convair 240series was a mediumsize airliner designed in the late 40s, built specifically to replace the venerable DC3 in short and medium routes. While it didn’t quite replace it (NOTHING replaces a DC3!), it did a terrific job at hauling 4050 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 R2800 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 crisscrossed the sky enroute to the Bahamas from their Florida bases.

What do you think of the radialpowered Convairs?

Video Credits:
   • Air Tahoma Inc Convair CV240 | Takeoff  
   • Convair 440 ZSBRV engine start  
   • DOOR OPENS IN FLIGHT!!! | Conquest Ai...  
   • N150PA Wet Departure |  Convair CV24...  
   • Fresh AirJet One Express Convair 340...  
   • CONVAIR 440 Arrives HARS Albion Park ...  
   • Convair CV440 & CV580 in BUR  
   • Convair 240 Start  
   • Airliners International 1992 Convair ...  
   • Convair CV240 Take off  
   • Convair 240/C131 take off EnsSan Ig...  
   • Convair runup  
   • Convair 152JR Start  
   • flight  
   • Convair CV240 takeoff, Miami view fr...  
   • Miami Air Lease Convair 440 N41527  
   • Convair C131B Departure | N145GT | N...  
   • Convair startup  
   • Miami Air Lease Short Landing  Conva...  
   • Carnicero flight with Convair 34070 ...  
   • Convair 340 low flyover  
   • SJU plane spotting Conquest Air C131...  
   • Convair 340 Landing in St. Maarten (2...  
   • Convair C131B La Paz  
   • Air Resorts Airlines Convair 440 Land...  
   • Conquest Cargo Convair C131F | Arriv...  
   • Tolair Convair 440  
   • SXM  St. Maarten. 1954 vintage Conva...  
   • Thunder pig convair 440 c131  
   • Trans Dominican Airways Convair 440