“Route of the Astrojets”
Price: $175
Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 100.
Image size: 16 x 24 inches

American Airlines introduced the Convair 990 in March of 1962. It was the airline industry’s quest for a plane that could fly at 600 MPH that the CV-990 was born of. In order to control vibration and aerodynamic drag at supersonic airflow across the wing surface, anti-shock bodies (ASB) or “speed pods” were installed. This gave the 990 a unique appearance that distinguished it from all other aircraft in its class. The 990 had a top speed of 625 MPH but typically cruised at 570 MPH at 35,000 feet. Having fewer seats than the Boeing 707 meant that the 990 would be better suited for American’s thinner medium-haul routes.

With the introduction of turbofan engines, such as the General Electric CJ-805-23 aft fan that powered the Convair 990, American Airlines marketed their fan-jet fleet as Astrojets.

The last of American’s Convair 990 Astrojets were retired from service in 1968.