Although based on the Convair 240, the 340 was largely a new aircraft with greater wing span (32.11m) and area; a 54-in longer fuselage for 44 passengers; R-2800-CB16 or CB17 engines; greater all-up weight of 21,318kg; and many interior design improvements.
The first aircraft (N3401) flew on 5 October 1951 and the first delivery to an airline was N73103, to United Air Lines on 28 March 1952.
A total of 209 had been built by January 1955, when the last two production aircraft were delivered to REAL (Brazil).
The C-131B, based on larger Convair-Liner 340, was being produced in 1955 as flying laboratory for electronics equipment.
YC-131C was a ConvairLiner 340 fitted experimentally with two 3,750 h.p. Allison T56 turboprops.
Some standard ConvairLiner 340s were also ordered as C-131D.
The USAF operated the 340 as C-131 or VC-131 transports, flying and ECM trainers and for other duties; while the US Navy/Marine Corps received 37 transports as R4Y. The U.S. Navy equivalent of the C-131A is designated R4Y-1Z.
Many Convair 340s were converted to 440 and 580 standard.
A total of 209 CV-340s was built, followed by 186 CV-440s.
In November 1957 a Convair 340 with Napier Eland turboprop engines was flown to the USA to serve as a prototype. In 1958 the RCAF ordered a version of the Convair with Eland engines, to be built by Canadair as the CL-66.
In 1954 two Convair 340 were built as experimental YC-131C models to flight test Allison YT-56 turboprops. The first flew on 20 May 1954 with a gross weight of 53,200 lb compared to 47,000 lb for the standard 340.
The Convair 440 Metropolitan is a 52-seat development of the Model 340, having increased all up weight.
CV-340
Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-48.
CV-340-B
Engines: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB16, 2400 hp
Wingspan: 105 ft 4 in
Length: 79 ft 2 in
Height: 28 ft 2 in
Wing area: 920 sq.ft
Empty weight: 32,399 lb
Loaded weight: 47,000 lb
Max speed: 314 mph at 16,000 ft
Cruise speed: 292 mph
Range: 1150 mi
Seats: 44
Convair C 131 Samaritan
Engine: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-103W, 2466 hp
Length: 79.167 ft / 24.13 m
Height: 28.15 ft / 8.58 m
Wingspan: 105.348 ft / 32.11 m
Wing area: 963.378 sq.ft / 89.5 sq.m
Max take off weight: 47008.4 lb / 21319.0 kg
Weight empty: 29004.6 lb / 13154.0 kg
Max. speed: 265 kt / 491 km/h
Cruising speed: 238 kt / 440 km/h
Cruising altitude: 18635 ft / 5680 m
Wing load: 48.79 lb/sq.ft / 238.0 kg/sq.m
Maximum range: 1652 nm / 3060 km
Range: 1652 nm / 3060 km
Crew: 3
Payload: 48 Pax
Convair C-131A Samaritan
Air evacuation and cargo transport.
Engines: 2x 2,500 h.p. Pratt & Whitney R2800-99W
Wingspan: 91 ft. 9 in
Length: 74 ft. 8 in
Empty weight: 29,000 lb
Loaded weight: 43,575 lb.
Max speed: 313 m.p.h. at 14,500 ft
Cruise: 285 mph at 20,000 ft
ROC: 1410 fpm
Ceiling: 24,500 ft.
Range: 875 miles
Accommodation: 40 passengers or 27 stretchers.
Armament: None
C 131F Samaritan
C-131H
All Aero 