A New Era of Air Travel
The Consolidated Vultee Convair 240 was one of the most advanced short‑haul airliners of the post‑war era. Conceived in 1946 as a modern replacement for the Douglas DC‑3, the Convair 240 introduced features that would become standard in the next generation of airliners: a pressurised cabin, tricycle landing gear, improved passenger comfort, and significantly higher performance. At a time when most airlines were still flying wartime transports, the Convair represented a bold step into modern commercial aviation.
In 1947, TAA’s Engineering Manager, John Watkins, travelled to the Consolidated Vultee (Convair) plant in San Diego to evaluate the new aircraft. Early prototypes had suffered from engine and configuration issues, but by the time of Watkins’ visit, these problems had been resolved. He undertook a demonstration flight and was immediately impressed by the aircraft’s power, handling, and engineering refinements.
Watkins noted several innovations that set the Convair apart from its contemporaries: full cabin pressurisation, individual passenger air vents, integrated folding stairways, dual nose wheels for improved ground handling, and a more spacious, comfortable cabin. These features made the Convair 240 one of the most modern airliners available anywhere in the world.
Recognising the aircraft’s potential, Watkins contacted TAA Chairman Sir Arthur Coles by telephone and telegram. He reported that early delivery slots had unexpectedly become available due to a cancellation by a major American airline — an opportunity that could accelerate TAA’s fleet modernisation by several years.
Instead of waiting until 1951, TAA could receive three Convair 240s by mid‑1948 — a remarkable advantage for a young airline determined to lead Australian aviation.
A World-First Order
TAA became the first airline outside the United States to place an order for the Convair 240. This decision positioned TAA at the forefront of global airline modernisation and demonstrated the airline’s commitment to adopting the most advanced technology available.
After extensive discussions and financial negotiations, Minister for Civil Aviation Arthur Drakeford approved the purchase. Watkins secured the production slots, ensuring TAA would receive some of the earliest Convairs off the assembly line.
The fixed‑price contract proved to be a major financial advantage. Post‑war inflation and rising material costs meant that TAA saved more than US$500,000 compared with later buyers — a significant sum in the late 1940s.
In total, TAA purchased five Convair 240s: VH‑TAO, VH‑TAP, VH‑TAQ, VH‑TAR, and VH‑TAS. These aircraft would form the backbone of TAA’s fleet during the early years of Australian post‑war aviation. More details on all the fleet can be found here.
A Record-Breaking Journey
Although the Convair 240 was technologically advanced, it was designed for short‑ to medium‑range American domestic routes. Its limited range made a direct Pacific crossing impossible, as the long over‑water sectors exceeded the aircraft’s capabilities.
Instead, TAA’s delivery crews undertook what became known as “the long way home” — a delivery route that set a world record for the Convair type.
The aircraft were ferried across the United States, then north into Canada and Greenland, before crossing the Atlantic to the United Kingdom. From there, the route continued through France, North Africa, Arabia, India, Malaya, Singapore, Darwin, Alice Springs, and finally Melbourne.
To extend range on some of the longer legs, the Convairs were fitted with temporary fuel bladders. Despite the complexity of the journey, all aircraft completed the delivery flights without incident — a testament to both the aircraft’s reliability and the skill of the TAA crews.
