GON
$100 Site Donor 2023
""Performing its first flight on January 27th, 1959, the Convair 880 was produced with a narrow and short fuselage. This build helped it become the fastest commercial quadjet until the Boeing 747’s arrival.""
The Convair division of General Dynamics produced the 880 to compete with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. The type entered service with Delta Air Lines in May 1960 in the form of the modified 880-22M.
1962's United States Aircraft, Missiles, and Spacecraft publication shares the following about the type:
“The basic Convair 880 was designed for operation from runways of 5,000 to 8,000 feet and for favorable operating costs on medium range up to transcontinental flights. Its sister airliner, the Convair 880-M, offers increased range, fuel capacity, operating weights and shorter runway requirements. It has wing leading edge slats, power boost rudder, and engines with increased thrust. Both Convair 880s can cruise at 615 miles an hour. Range of the basic 880 with first-class payload and normal fuel reserves is 3,200 statute miles. In a first-class, two-abreast seating arrangement as used by initial operators, the 880 carries 84 passengers. In a five across coach configuration it will carry 110 persons. The basic 880 received its FAA airworthiness certificate May 1, 1960, and went into commercial service on May 15, 1960. The first flight of the 880-M was October 3, 1960, and FAA certification was obtained on July 25, 1961.”
The Convair division of General Dynamics produced the 880 to compete with the Boeing 707 and Douglas DC-8. The type entered service with Delta Air Lines in May 1960 in the form of the modified 880-22M.
1962's United States Aircraft, Missiles, and Spacecraft publication shares the following about the type:
“The basic Convair 880 was designed for operation from runways of 5,000 to 8,000 feet and for favorable operating costs on medium range up to transcontinental flights. Its sister airliner, the Convair 880-M, offers increased range, fuel capacity, operating weights and shorter runway requirements. It has wing leading edge slats, power boost rudder, and engines with increased thrust. Both Convair 880s can cruise at 615 miles an hour. Range of the basic 880 with first-class payload and normal fuel reserves is 3,200 statute miles. In a first-class, two-abreast seating arrangement as used by initial operators, the 880 carries 84 passengers. In a five across coach configuration it will carry 110 persons. The basic 880 received its FAA airworthiness certificate May 1, 1960, and went into commercial service on May 15, 1960. The first flight of the 880-M was October 3, 1960, and FAA certification was obtained on July 25, 1961.”
