Convair CV-640

Convair · United States · first flew 1965 · airliner

The Convair CV-640 is a turboprop conversion of the Convair 340/440 piston-engine airliner, re-engined with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops to extend the type's economic viability. It served regional airlines well into the jet age.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	Low-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × turboprop, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	Low-wing twin turboprop with circular fuselage cross-section
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Re-engined Convair 340/440 with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprops
Low-wing twin turboprop with circular fuselage cross-section
Regional airliner conversion retaining the original piston-era airframe

Virtually identical in outline to the CV-340/440; distinguished from piston variants by the slim turboprop nacelles and four-blade propellers replacing the round radial cowlings.

Specifications

The Convair CV-640 has a length of 24.16 m (79 ft).
It has a wingspan of 32.12 m (105 ft).
Its maximum speed is 550 km/h (342 mph).
Typical crew: 2–3.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

The conversion programme was developed from 1965, primarily by Canadair in Canada, to update ageing CV-340 and CV-440 airframes with more fuel-efficient and reliable turboprop engines. It gave operators a cost-effective medium-range regional aircraft.

Variants

The CV-580 used Allison turboprops while the CV-640 used Rolls-Royce Darts; both are re-engined variants of the same basic piston-era airframe.

Where you'll see it

The CV-640 served with regional and third-level carriers in North America, South America, and Africa, remaining in service with some operators into the 1990s and beyond.

Related aircraft

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