Convair 880

US Navy - one Convair UC-880 testbed/air refuelling tanker.

Survivors

According to renowned Convair 880/990 expert and author Niall Booth, there were only nine airframes left in the world as of December 2005 — five in the United States, and one each in Haiti, Portugal, Venezuela and South Africa.

None are airworthy, and only one is properly preserved: Elvis Presley's Lisa Marie (named after his daughter), at Graceland in Memphis.

One of the other four U.S. aircraft was subsequently cut up for scrap in April 2007, although the forward fuselage is being saved for use in a museum.

The one existing in Portugal was placed near the Lisbon Airport and converted into a strip club until being sold for scrap.

It was destroyed on April 28, 2008.

In addition, the forward fuselage of former TWA Convair 880 N803TW (MSN 3) is being restored at the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey for eventual display.

Ex Japan Airlines Convair 880 MSN 22-7-6-58 (58th produced) was converted into a business jet in the 1970s (registration N88CH). It was purchased by the Ciskei government in 1987 intended for use by president Lennox Sebe, however it remained at Bhisho Airport for several years due to a lack of funds for making it airworthy.

In 1992 it was purchased by Billy Nel (now Eastern Cape Provincial Finance MEC), who had it transported to his private residence north of East London, South Africa.

The 1970s VIP interior with couches, beds and a bar remain intact and it is used for private functions. One of the engines was donated to the Stutterheim Engine Museum.

Specifications (880 Model 22-M)

Data from Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66

General characteristics

* Crew: 3
* Capacity: 110 passengers
* Payload: 24,000 lb (10,900 kg)
* Length: 129 ft 4 in (39.42 m)
* Wingspan: 120 ft 0 in (36.58 m)
* Height: 36 ft 3¾ in (11.00 m)
* Wing area: 2,000 sq ft (185.8 m²)
* Empty weight: 94,000 lb (42,730 kg)
* Max takeoff weight: 193,000 lb (87,730 kg)
* Powerplant: 4× General Electric CJ-805-3 turbojet, 11,650 lbf (51.95 kN) each

Performance

* Cruise speed: 615 mph (535 knots, 990 km/h) (max cruise at 22,500 ft (6,860 m)
* Stall speed: 111 mph (97 knots, 179 km/h)
* Range: 3,385 mi (2,943 nmi, 4,430 km)
* Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m) (max cruise altitude)

Bibliography

* Proctor, Jon. Convair 880 & 990. Miami, FL: World Transport Press, 1996. ISBN 0-9626730-4-8.
* Taylor, John W. R. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1965-66. London: Samson Low, Marston, 1965.
* Wegg, John. General Dynamic Aircraft and their Predecessors. London:Putnam, 1990. ISBN 0-85177-833-X.
* Wilson, Stewart. Airliners of the World. Fyshwick, Australia: Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd., 1999. ISBN 1-875671-44-7.