American Airlines Convair 990

Convair 990 Was the most powerful airplane in my opinion that American Airlines has operated to date. It was equipped with 'REAR FANS". When power was applied for Take Off you were pushed back in your seat. Quiet a sensation. A powerful machine.

The Convair 990 was produced in response to American Airlines requirement for a larger airliner than the Convair 880. Only 37 Cv-990s were manufactured from 1961 to 1963.
American Airlines was the primary U.S. customer for the Cv-990. Swissair, VARIG, and Garuda Indonesian Airways were among the early foreign operators of the Cv-990. Scandanavian Airlines System ordered several Cv-990s, but did not take up most of their orders. Some Cv-990s found their way to service in South America with Aerolineas Peruanas SA.
Save the last airworthy Convair 990!
The last airworthy Convair 990 is in danger of being scrapped at El Paso International Airport, Texas. Check out the situation at the Convair 990 Preservation Project web site.

Convair 880
Convair 990
Boeing 707-120
Douglas DC-8
Wing Span
120 ft.
120 ft.
130 ft. 10 in.
142 ft. 5 in.
Length
129 ft. 4 in.
139 ft. 5 in.
144 ft. 6 in.
150 ft. 6 in.
Passengers
88 - 110
96 - 121
110 - 189
105 - 173
Maximum Cruise Speed
615 mph
610 mph
585 mph
579 mph
Following their retirement from airline service, NASA made use of several Cv-990s as airborne observation platforms and research aircraft.