In 1987 this Convair was used by the NASA as a Space Shuttle Crew Escape System testbed. It was fitted with a CES (Crew Escape System) mockup on the left side of the rear fuselage. The aircraft was stored here at California City by 1993, and preserved by 1997, reportedly by a set-up called the California Museum of Air and Space.

As of Sep 1987 this Convair was used by the NASA as a Space Shuttle Crew Escape System testbed. This photo still shows the CES (Crew Escape System) mockup that was fitted to the left side of the rear fuselage. The CES was a candidate concept developed to provide crew egress capability during Space Shuttle controlled gliding flight. Actual tests of this system with this Convair began on 20 Nov 1987, whereby life-like dummies were pulled from the modified aircraft's side hatch mockup by tractor rockets. The aircraft had been stored here at California City by 1993, and preserved by 1997, reportedly by a set-up called the California Museum of Air and Space.

Just converted to RR Dart turbine power at the Convair factory. Originally delivered to Braniff as a CV-340 on 16 December 1952. To Caribair in 1962. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

Ex Braniff and still wearing a Braniff title on the port wing. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

Originally Convair 440 OO-SCS with Sabena.

Previously operated with a host of airlines. Here in temporary storage before going to Canada in Dec 87 as C-FAUF with Soundair and Air Toronto. Later still N584E Air Tahoma and XA-UPL AirLink Cargo.

Started life as YU-ADK with JAT Yugoslav Airlines before heading to the USA to serve with Wright Airlines and Key Airlines. It was reported as owned by Basler Flight Service at the time I took this picture. Later registered to Basler Airlines as N115BF. Last recorded as stored Laredo TX in 2008.

Originally started life as a CV-440 with SABENA OO-SCV. It went to Frontier Airlines as N73168 in Jun 68 and was converted to a CV-580 by Oct 68. From Aug 82 it was operated by Sea Airmotive, Atlantic Gulf Airlines and Seair before joining Kellowna Flightcraft in Nov 87 and Air Niagara (Express) in Mar 88. Sold to Airwave Transportation circa 1997 and broken up at some point after that.

Never flew again. Later broken up.

Originally in service with Ansett 24 June 1957.

This Cosmopolitan visited Amsterdam in support of HMCS Preserver's deployment to European waters. The ship was docked in Amsterdam on this day.

Originally Convair 440 N4804C with Delta Air Lines and then North Central Airlines who had it converted to a 580. Then after that to Quebecair as C-GFHA. After some storage time it went to Westates Airlines (still as N5810) and Contract Air Cargo Jul 98 as N151FL.

Operated by Hubbard Broadcasting Inc. I first shot this frame at Brussels back in May 1976 when it operated with the Armstrong Cork Co. It ended up going to Air Freight (New Zealand) in May 89 as ZK-FTB. It crashed and was destroyed shortly after take-off from Auckland International 31 Jul 89 possibly due to an ADI issue.

Went to Kelowna Flightcraft as C-FLVY, C-GKFA and C-FKFA

Ex Coastal Air. Became TG-MYM with Aero Quetzal.

In Tucson for some maintenance. It had originally been N73120 with United Airlines, Frontier Airlines and Aspen Airways. Joined ERA Helicopters Oct 80. In 1982 this particular division of the company was renamed ERA Jet Alaska. It later became ERA Aviation although there seems to be some debate if this was in 1987 or 1989.

Originally N73122 a Convair 340 with United Air Lines and then Frontier Airlines, with whom it was when converted to a 580. It then operated for a couple of petroleum companies before it ended up here stored in TUS. Passed through several hands and in May 94 went to Filair as 9Q-CRS. In 1996 it became 9Q-CRU with Compagnie Africaine d'Aviation - CAA and was written off in a runway overrun following an aborted take-off at Tshikapa 1 Apr 97.