I cribbed this from another forum, the youtube clip shows a ex TWA convair 880 retired in 1978, leaving Mohave 1991 to become a fire trainer in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Was this the last flight of a 880 or was the NASA one the last.
The Convair 880/990 were surely the best at turning kerosene in smoke. Its worth the wait just to see the take off.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isP1LVVZ6nU
Richard
By: Newforest - 6th May 2010 at 20:36
My information is that the last flight of a Convair 880 was on the 30th September, 1993. This was c/n 55 also known as N84790. This was converted to an in flight tanker for the US Navy and given the number BuNo. 161572. It was destroyed in a cargo hold explosion in Maryland in 1995.
By: nigelrob - 6th May 2010 at 12:23
Thanks for your suggestion JagRigger, I love the personal safety equipment the groundcrew are wearing too ! 😉
By: JagRigger - 6th May 2010 at 12:14
Looks to me like they are ‘feeling’ for something happening inside during the pre start proceedures.
Later you see some muck ( inhibiting oil ? ) beingblown out before actual start up, so maybe they are checking that air is reaching the starters or something.
By: nigelrob - 6th May 2010 at 09:05
Great footage. Can I ask why the groundcrew are checking the skin of the engine nacelles with their bare hands? Just wondering as I’m not technical at all.
By: Arabella-Cox - 5th May 2010 at 17:36
The US navy used a 880 for tomahawk missile trials which was destroyed in 1995 and was still being flown up until then.
Good video though.
curlyboy
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May 5, 2010 at 5:05 pm