 |
Convair
880's
This forlorn collection of
Convair 880s was photographed in April 1996 and March 1999. The 14 airframes
were predominantly of TWA registration with some Delta and Northeast examples
thrown in. The bulk of the fleet was flown into Mojave in the early 80s
after ending frontline service in 1974 when the OPEC Oil Embargo killed
off these thirsty machines. With their CJ-85 engines salvaged to be converted
to be used on oil platforms and most useful parts stripped, all but 2
of these ships met the scrappers torch in December 2000. Tours and
photography are now basically off limits, but if you are interested in
purchasing parts or cannibalized fuselages contact Evergreen Air Center
at Pinal Park in Marana, AZ at 520-682-4181. Fuselages hulls are sold
for scrap value in the 15K to 25K range. |
 |
|
 |
Convair 880 N815AJ, ship 35,
a TWA machine all it’s life, was spared by the wrecker himself, Mike
Potter, who was ironically the youngest TWA 880 captain. It was slated to
be restored to taxi condition for use as a tv or film prop. |
 |
The interior of this 880 was
in near perfect condition in 1996, apart from voluminous dust and excrement
from some desert animals who had made it their home. |
 |
By way of the avionics bay,
we were able to enter the cockpit of this 880 in the days when tours were
allowed at Mojave. I am sitting in a remarkably intact cockpit at the time
sans some instruments and radios. Note the presence of the throttle stands
and engine instruments of the GE CJ-805 Turbojet which powered the 880 to
over 600 miles per hour making it the fastest commercial jet of it’s
day behind it’s big brother, the 990. According to “Airliners
Magazine”, the stands and other souvenirs were available for sale
from Mike Potter in Mojave. |
 |
Note the Raymond Lowery TWA
double globe logo painted out when this “Star Stream 880” was
retired. |
 |
The other surviving example,
N817TW (originally a Northeastern Airlines example) last flew commercially
in 1974. A particularly auspicious machine, this 880 set the record for
a flight from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida which remains unbroken at
a brisk 1hr 43 min. In 1990, it was used repainted with a blue TWA cheatline
for use in “The Rookie”. Ship 23 was also featured on the cover
of an “Airliners” Convair special issue in 1995. After retiring
with TWA, it was flown to Harlingen Texas before being delivered to Mojave
for it’s last flight in 1980. Coming to its rescue, Doug Scroggins
purchased the jet in 1998 with the intention of restoring it to flyable
condition via his Team Convair organization. For more information on this
very worthwhile effort, click to www.convair880.org. Though part of the
left wing outboard of the #1 engine is missing, along with it’s engines,
the sheer determination of Team Convair bodes well for Ship 23 taking to
the air again. |
| |
|
 |
APSA 990-A
This ultra rare APSA 990, the second ship off the line, still existed as
of Spring 1999. It first flew in 1962 and flew for APSA Peru until it was
reposed in 1973.After languishing it Tucson, Arizona until 1979 the airframe
was flown to Mojave where it has remained ever since. This 990 almost met
it’s demise in a most unusual manner when FOX network began prepping
it to be airworthy-only to crash it for a TV special. Fortunately, FOX came
to it’s senses and this jet lived. |
 |
   |
 |
|
 |
Engine
A dramatic shot
of the business engine of the GE CJ-805-23 Turbofan engine. At 15,850 pounds
of thrust and 621 mph max crusing speed, this was the fastest commercial
jet of it’s day and even to the present. |
 |
Pods
One of two on each wing, the Anti-Shock body fuel dump chute, cut
down on drag but carried no fuel. |
|
|
NASA 990
N710NA formerly NASA’s “Galileo II” was used
for medium atmospheric research and then proposed to be a NASA Orbiter test
ship in 1988. Replacing two 880s that crashed, this 990 actually flew until
1995 as the last flying 990. It sits in remarkably good condition in Mojave
in mid-1999. |
 |
Ship 22 - October,
2007
Doug Scroggins donated the front fuselage of his Ship 22 to the New Jersey
Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum. Restoration is planned for this ex-Mojave
resident.
Images courtesy: Doug Scroggins |
 |
   |
| |
|
 |
  
|
