I flew 866TA with SMB STAGE LINES in the 80`s.Flew it when it 1st come out of the make over from a C-131 to a CV=640 was a nice flying aircraft.Now 640CM flew this one in the 90`s for C&M out of EL PASO Tx.this is another nice flying 640.and yes 640CM was pressurized 866TA was not.I`ll post some video`s one day of the CV-600 back in the SMB days.
Please do post some videos. I know it takes some drive to do the video conversions etc. I have some good ones flying from Puerto Rico to Antigua that I need to convert.
How many Convairs and DC-3's does rhoads have left? I remember about 5 years ago when you coul go to BAK and see 10 or 20 of both in all sorts of colors, green, blue, black, orange and so on. Thanks for sharing!
There is a DC-3 and Convair 640 sitting on the north apron. The DC-3 has been bought from us, has no engines, and is in poor shape. The Convair 640 is in disrepair and I would consider a 'parts' plane right now. We have a Convair 640 in Antigua right now getting a 'C' check so that it can continue operating from Puerto Rico. The mst rcnt DC-3 we operated was a PT-6 turbine conversion that is in Canada now. We may get it back some day.
I'm a First Officer in a 640, but I'm "between tours" right now. The plane is currently being operated from San Juan Puerto Rico flying freight between there and Antigua, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. I was last there in early February if I recall correctly.
Unfortunately no, we have some strict rules to abide by as a part 121 air carrier. I will try to post some videos of our flight here if I could just get some good video editing software.
640's were converted to turbo prop by Convair itself. 580's and 5800's were done outside the company and in larger numbers. You'll see more 580's than you will see 640's. Most 580's are still pressurized unlike most 640's, and although I have heard 580's can't carry quite as much weight as a 640, a 580 is faster and flies higher. Also the 340 is a 240 enlarged to the size of a 440, but with a different horizontal stabilizer.
The 440's, 580's, 640's, all have the same airframe and are slightly larger than the 240's and 600's. But the largest is the 5800 which is faster, flies higher, and has EFIS screens in the cockpit. The 440 has Pratt and Whitney pistons, the 580 has Allison turbo props, and the 640 has Rolls Royce turbo props.
Sorry, but this is all I have from one of my co-workers. There is a video of a Rhoades Aviation piston Convair starting up, and a video of our Convair 640 turboprop taking off already on youtube.
I understand how that can be. I can ask around to see if anyone else has any other videos. Yesterday we took our 640 up for a maintenance run. It was basically a chance for us to take it up and just fly it around, but I forgot my camera. We'll try to get something soon.
I flew 866TA with SMB STAGE LINES in the 80`s.Flew it when it 1st come out of the make over from a C-131 to a CV=640 was a nice flying aircraft.Now 640CM flew this one in the 90`s for C&M out of EL PASO Tx.this is another nice flying 640.and yes 640CM was pressurized 866TA was not.I`ll post some video`s one day of the CV-600 back in the SMB days.
richardj1847 9 months ago
@richardj1847
Please do post some videos. I know it takes some drive to do the video conversions etc. I have some good ones flying from Puerto Rico to Antigua that I need to convert.
tightpythonboot 9 months ago
Ah, the sound of a true classic.
Actually, there are just as many pressurized 640s as
unpressurized CV-640s in the U.S. now, pending the 2nd
Rhoades 640 getting legal. I fly N640CM out of El Paso
now, but got my type rating on N866TA when it was at
Kitty Hawk. 640CM is pressurized, and will hold a 10,000 ft
cabin to over 20,000 ft. Takes a LONG time to get up there, though.
Yes, a 580 will fly higher and faster.....
harmgb1 1 year ago
Thanks650kntflyby i might have had a chance to fly piston cv240s for rhoades, care of cool air ( air tahoma), but now im in atc school.
tightpythonboot 2 years ago
How many Convairs and DC-3's does rhoads have left? I remember about 5 years ago when you coul go to BAK and see 10 or 20 of both in all sorts of colors, green, blue, black, orange and so on. Thanks for sharing!
PierceT520 2 years ago
There is a DC-3 and Convair 640 sitting on the north apron. The DC-3 has been bought from us, has no engines, and is in poor shape. The Convair 640 is in disrepair and I would consider a 'parts' plane right now. We have a Convair 640 in Antigua right now getting a 'C' check so that it can continue operating from Puerto Rico. The mst rcnt DC-3 we operated was a PT-6 turbine conversion that is in Canada now. We may get it back some day.
tightpythonboot 2 years ago
How many total DC-3's and Convairs does Rhoads have currently
PierceT520 2 years ago
wow thanks for all the knowledge. i am obsessed with this plane. are you a pilot or a mechanic on one?
bpacino 2 years ago
I'm a First Officer in a 640, but I'm "between tours" right now. The plane is currently being operated from San Juan Puerto Rico flying freight between there and Antigua, St. Thomas, and St. Croix. I was last there in early February if I recall correctly.
tightpythonboot 2 years ago
is it possible to get a ride in the convair you fly? i'm in dc but i would travel if given the opportunity.
bpacino 2 years ago
Unfortunately no, we have some strict rules to abide by as a part 121 air carrier. I will try to post some videos of our flight here if I could just get some good video editing software.
tightpythonboot 2 years ago
640's were converted to turbo prop by Convair itself. 580's and 5800's were done outside the company and in larger numbers. You'll see more 580's than you will see 640's. Most 580's are still pressurized unlike most 640's, and although I have heard 580's can't carry quite as much weight as a 640, a 580 is faster and flies higher. Also the 340 is a 240 enlarged to the size of a 440, but with a different horizontal stabilizer.
tightpythonboot 2 years ago
Is this a 580? What is the difference between 440, 580, 640...? Fuselage length?
bpacino 2 years ago
The 440's, 580's, 640's, all have the same airframe and are slightly larger than the 240's and 600's. But the largest is the 5800 which is faster, flies higher, and has EFIS screens in the cockpit. The 440 has Pratt and Whitney pistons, the 580 has Allison turbo props, and the 640 has Rolls Royce turbo props.
tightpythonboot 2 years ago
nice video! KBAK is great!
LH164 2 years ago
Hey Do you have more film of the Convair Metrtopolitan?
Very cool film!
CrouchOh 3 years ago
Sorry, but this is all I have from one of my co-workers. There is a video of a Rhoades Aviation piston Convair starting up, and a video of our Convair 640 turboprop taking off already on youtube.
tightpythonboot 3 years ago
Thank you for your answer.
And of course I already got them in my favourites.
I have vacuum cleaned YouTube for connie films.
:)
CrouchOh 3 years ago
I understand how that can be. I can ask around to see if anyone else has any other videos. Yesterday we took our 640 up for a maintenance run. It was basically a chance for us to take it up and just fly it around, but I forgot my camera. We'll try to get something soon.
tightpythonboot 3 years ago