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.

Click on the image to download the plane.

Vocal Checklists for the CV-240/340/440.  These sound files will allow you to hear spoken checklists and calls like "Gear Up" while flying.

High quality R-2800 Convair stereo sounds are available from Jon Jefferys. These are the best I've heard so far. They are designed to be used with the FS2004 slow engine startup. This package is downloaded separately; the base packs include a much smaller PropSound package. Last updated on 11/14/13.

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.

American CV-240  
FS2004 American Air Lines CV-240 CA-18 Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  Greg Pepper has created this 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 6/17/13. VBF textures. Last updated on 7/15/19.

FSX/P3D CV-240 CA-18 Base Pack.  I've converted the models to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above.  Includes FSX native VBF model files.  Last updated on 10/28/20.


FS2004 Convair Demonstrator CV-240 CA-18 VBF Base Pack. Hans Hermann and Georg Hauzenberger at Virtual Bird Factory (VBF) have taken Greg Pepper's CV-240 and improved it! Here is the CA-18 version, painted in the colors of the Convair demonstrator. The textures are not compatible with the original Greg Pepper model. You must download and install the correct American CV-240 Base Pack above to have panel and sounds. Thanks to all of you! Last updated on 9/8/10.

Western CV-240 
FS2004 Western Air Lines CV-240 CB-16 Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  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 Base Pack above to get the proper panel and sounds!    Last modified on 7/15/19

FSX/P3D CV-240 CB-16 Base Pack.  I've converted the models to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above.  Includes FSX native VBF model files.  Last updated on 10/28/20.


FS2004 Western Air LinesCV-240 CB-16 VBF Base Pack. Hans Hermann and Georg Hauzenberger at Virtual Bird Factory (VBF) have also created a CB-16 version, painted in the colors of Western Air Lines. Looks great! The textures are not compatible with the original Greg Pepper model. You must download and install the American CV-240 Base Pack above to have panel and sounds. Thanks again! Last updated on 9/8/10.

United CV-340  
FS2004 United Air Lines CV-340 Base Pack.  FS2004 ONLY.  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!  Last modified on 6/16/19.

FSX/P3D CV-340 Base Pack.  I've converted the model to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above.  Last updated on 10/29/20.

FS2004 Continental Air Lines CV-440 Base Pack. (no image) FS2004 ONLY.  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 FS2004 United CV-340 Base Pack above to get the proper panel and sounds!    Last Modified on 6/16/19.

FSX/P3D CV-440 Base Pack.  I've converted the model to FSX native format for use in FSX and P3D.  This is a full package and does not need the FS2004 Base Pack above. You must download and install the FSX/P3D United CV-340 Base Pack above to get the proper panel and sounds!    Last Modified on 10.29/20.

UAL CV-340
FS2004/FS2002/FSX United Air Lines CV-340 1960's.  These nice textures from Dennis Kim provides the modified paint scheme United used on some of their Convair 340's.  It used the new blue color, and the new logo.  Thanks!  Requires the UAL CV-340 Base Pack above.  Last updated on 4/5/14.


FS2004/FSX Western Air Lines CV-240 1949. Here is the VBF CV-240 repainted into the delivery colors of Western Airlines. This very nice repaint was done by the Virtual Birds Factory - nice job! You must download and install the VBF Western CV-240 above and the American CV-240 Base Pack for panel and sounds.  Last updated on 4/9/14.

Transocean 240 
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 Base Pack above to use as a base pack for these textures (use only the textures from this download).  Last updated on 7/8/03. VBF version. Last updated on 1/19/11.