Thoughts on the CONVAIR 990 from an engineer who was there

摘要

Your recent article on the Convair 990 by Jon Proctor was excellent, and brought back memories of the 'Golden Age' of aeronautical engineering. Turbine engines, supersonic fighters, composite materials and the beginning of the space age ... What an amazing time! I was supervisor of the Jet Transport Aerodynamics Group at Convair in San Diego when the Convair 880 became a program, having worked with TWA and Howard Hughes in the period leading up to that airplane, and I'd like to take this opportunity to expand on a few points made in Mr. Proctor's story.