Convair CV-990 Coronado
Convair · United States · first flew 1961 · airliner
The Convair CV-990 Coronado was an American four-engine narrow-body jetliner designed for high-speed transatlantic and transcontinental service, and for a brief period the fastest commercial airliner in the world. Its distinctive trailing-edge anti-shock pods are its most recognisable feature.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, swept |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 4 × turbojet, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Narrow-body fuselage slightly wider than 707 giving more cabin elbow room |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Four-engine jetliner with distinctive anti-shock bodies on trailing edge of wing
- Narrow-body fuselage slightly wider than 707 giving more cabin elbow room
- Fastest subsonic airliner of its era at Mach 0.91 cruise
The four large anti-shock pods projecting rearward from the wing trailing edge are unique to the CV-990 among all jetliners and unmistakable in any view.
Specifications
- The Convair CV-990 Coronado has a length of 42.59 m (140 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 36.58 m (120 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1000 km/h (621 mph).
- Typical crew: 5.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from the CV-880 and first flown in January 1961, the CV-990 was produced to meet an order from American Airlines seeking a faster aircraft than the Boeing 707. Its aerodynamic refinements allowed a cruise speed of Mach 0.91, but high operating costs and limited range kept sales modest at 37 aircraft.
Variants
The CV-990A introduced aerodynamic refinements to meet the contracted performance guarantees; both versions are often grouped under the Coronado name.
Where you'll see it
Operated by American Airlines, Swissair, Scandinavian Airlines, Spantax, and Garuda Indonesia; all were retired by the 1990s. Notably, NASA operated two as research aircraft.
Related aircraft
- Convair CV-880
- Convair Model 48 Charger
- Convair CV-640
- Convair B-58 Hustler
- Potez 840
- Avro 748
- Hawker Siddeley Trident
- Nord 262
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