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.
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