Convair Liners
Product Description
Format: DVD
Run Time: 57 minutes
Convair Liners, a division of General Dynamics, is known to manufacture airplanes for dependability, passenger safety and economy of operation. This documentary chronicles the history of Convair Liners from Piston Engine to Jet Power.
In 1946, Convair designed the Convair 240. Watch actual archival footage of this aircraft. One of its memorable features is the built in stairway. It was built for fast efficient servicing and maintenance. The range of this plane is 830 miles and it cruises at 300 miles per hour.
Next, Convair developed the much larger Convair 340. This plane was introduced in October of 1951. The Convair 340 had an increased wing length, power and fuel capacities which enabled airlines to employ it for short, and medium range flights. Watch footage of this plane at an airline training school as pilots are trained to take off with one engine. This plane was purchased by 21 domestic and foreign airline companies, 11 private industrial firms, and the U.S. Air Force and Navy ordered modified versions for military and transport duty. Over 1,000 Convair 340’s had been sold.
Convair developed the Metropolitan 440. This plane had a number of major improvements. Watch as the Metropolitan 440 is being built in its home in San Diego, CA. This is a twin engine airliner. Convair was not only known for its ability to manufacture airplanes, but also for its revolutionary testing techniques. Watch as this planes goes through some of these test. Also watch footage of this plane as it is built from the inside out. Airlines have a choice of a 44 passenger plane, or a 52 passenger plane with room for a crew of 4. This plane can fly at 289 miles per hour and the range is 1210 miles. Watch as the Metropolitan 440 rolls off the assembly line with the colors of the Airlines. In addition this plane has upgraded electrical equipment such as medium high and very high frequency communication sets, instrument landing equipment, intercommunication facilities, and weather mapping radar installation.
The U.S. Military selected many modified Convair Liner airplanes for a variety of tasks. The Convair T-29 A, or the flying classroom, was used to train flight crew and personnel. Training operations and equipment installations makes the plane comparable to tactical airplanes. Some planes were equipped with ground position indicator and bomb scoring camera for training navigator bombardiers. The T-29 was designed with increased fuel capacity and speeds comparable to bombardment airplanes which helped simulate in training combat conditions. Another modified version of a Convair Liner was a cargo or military transport designed for multiple use. It had a large hydraulic door for loading of heavy equipment. The Convair C131B was called the “flying electric test bed.” It was distinguished by 2 turbo generator pods from underside of the plane. This plane was used for experiments under flight conditions. The R4Y was developed for the U.S. Navy. It was good for taking off in short runways and small airfields. It could be used as a passenger or cargo transport, or trainer or evacuation airplane. The Convair C131A was called the “Flying Samaritan.” Assisted by helicopter rescue crews, it provided rapid evacuation for those hurt on the battle field.
The first jetliner Convair produced was the Convair 880. The first 880 rolled out in November of 1958. This jetliner was good for intermediate and short ranges previously denied to jets. It can fly at speeds up to approximately 615 mph. Scotch Weld which was a revolutionary new bonding process designed by Convair and The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing company. Scotch Weld, coupled with Convair developed riveting, the wing elements had fuel tight integrity and added structural strength. Watch actual footage of the 880 as it undergoes testing at the Edwards Test Facility and in Sa Diego, CA. Convair has many patents on their manufacturing machines and technologies. Watch as the Convair 880 undergoes wind tunnel, fatigue and vibration testing. Also you will see footage of the thrust reversers system, developed by Conair and General Electric, for the CJ805-3 engines get tested.
Next sit back and watch actual footage of the 880 in commercial flight. You will see the colorful interior and spacious and luxurious cabin. Some 880’s even had a lounge. The airlines could order 2 versions of the 880. One version was a 88 passenger deluxe. The second version was a 111 passenger coach version. TWA, Delta, Real Aerobus of Brazil, Transcontinental of Argentina, and Capital all ordered the Convair 880 jetliners.
Convair was an innovator of airplanes from piston engines to jet power.
Run Time: 57 minutes
Convair Liners, a division of General Dynamics, is known to manufacture airplanes for dependability, passenger safety and economy of operation. This documentary chronicles the history of Convair Liners from Piston Engine to Jet Power.
In 1946, Convair designed the Convair 240. Watch actual archival footage of this aircraft. One of its memorable features is the built in stairway. It was built for fast efficient servicing and maintenance. The range of this plane is 830 miles and it cruises at 300 miles per hour.
Next, Convair developed the much larger Convair 340. This plane was introduced in October of 1951. The Convair 340 had an increased wing length, power and fuel capacities which enabled airlines to employ it for short, and medium range flights. Watch footage of this plane at an airline training school as pilots are trained to take off with one engine. This plane was purchased by 21 domestic and foreign airline companies, 11 private industrial firms, and the U.S. Air Force and Navy ordered modified versions for military and transport duty. Over 1,000 Convair 340’s had been sold.
Convair developed the Metropolitan 440. This plane had a number of major improvements. Watch as the Metropolitan 440 is being built in its home in San Diego, CA. This is a twin engine airliner. Convair was not only known for its ability to manufacture airplanes, but also for its revolutionary testing techniques. Watch as this planes goes through some of these test. Also watch footage of this plane as it is built from the inside out. Airlines have a choice of a 44 passenger plane, or a 52 passenger plane with room for a crew of 4. This plane can fly at 289 miles per hour and the range is 1210 miles. Watch as the Metropolitan 440 rolls off the assembly line with the colors of the Airlines. In addition this plane has upgraded electrical equipment such as medium high and very high frequency communication sets, instrument landing equipment, intercommunication facilities, and weather mapping radar installation.
The U.S. Military selected many modified Convair Liner airplanes for a variety of tasks. The Convair T-29 A, or the flying classroom, was used to train flight crew and personnel. Training operations and equipment installations makes the plane comparable to tactical airplanes. Some planes were equipped with ground position indicator and bomb scoring camera for training navigator bombardiers. The T-29 was designed with increased fuel capacity and speeds comparable to bombardment airplanes which helped simulate in training combat conditions. Another modified version of a Convair Liner was a cargo or military transport designed for multiple use. It had a large hydraulic door for loading of heavy equipment. The Convair C131B was called the “flying electric test bed.” It was distinguished by 2 turbo generator pods from underside of the plane. This plane was used for experiments under flight conditions. The R4Y was developed for the U.S. Navy. It was good for taking off in short runways and small airfields. It could be used as a passenger or cargo transport, or trainer or evacuation airplane. The Convair C131A was called the “Flying Samaritan.” Assisted by helicopter rescue crews, it provided rapid evacuation for those hurt on the battle field.
The first jetliner Convair produced was the Convair 880. The first 880 rolled out in November of 1958. This jetliner was good for intermediate and short ranges previously denied to jets. It can fly at speeds up to approximately 615 mph. Scotch Weld which was a revolutionary new bonding process designed by Convair and The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing company. Scotch Weld, coupled with Convair developed riveting, the wing elements had fuel tight integrity and added structural strength. Watch actual footage of the 880 as it undergoes testing at the Edwards Test Facility and in Sa Diego, CA. Convair has many patents on their manufacturing machines and technologies. Watch as the Convair 880 undergoes wind tunnel, fatigue and vibration testing. Also you will see footage of the thrust reversers system, developed by Conair and General Electric, for the CJ805-3 engines get tested.
Next sit back and watch actual footage of the 880 in commercial flight. You will see the colorful interior and spacious and luxurious cabin. Some 880’s even had a lounge. The airlines could order 2 versions of the 880. One version was a 88 passenger deluxe. The second version was a 111 passenger coach version. TWA, Delta, Real Aerobus of Brazil, Transcontinental of Argentina, and Capital all ordered the Convair 880 jetliners.
Convair was an innovator of airplanes from piston engines to jet power.
A percentage of the proceeds from all sales will go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
