Convair 880 Restoration

The Museum’s Convair 880 in San Francisco in the 1960’s sporting its TWA (Trans-World Airlines) colors. Photo courtesy Harry T. Peat, Jon Proctor Collection

Help us to restore this iconic piece of commercial aviation history by clicking on the link below and donating! All donations go towards the restoration and future maintenance of the airplane!

Donate

History

The Museum’s Convair 880 was built by Convair aircraft of San Diego, California and delivered to Northeast Airlines in November 1960. On August 29, 1963, the airplane was sold to TWA (Trans-World Airlines) who flew the airplane until the early 1970’s, when it was retired on June 1, 1974. On April 18, 1978, the airplane was purchased by American Jet Industries. In June of 1978, the airplane was ferried to Harlingen, Texas. After a hurricane threatened the airplane, the aircraft was moved to Mojave, California on September 9, 1980. In September 1990 Warner Brothers Pictures purchased the airplane and used it in their film, “The Rookie,” starring Clint Eastwood and Charlie Sheen. In 1998 Doug Scroggins of Scroggins Aviation, purchased the aircraft with the intent of a full restoration. Because of the costs involved and a lack of interest, Doug Scroggins was forced to dismantle the aircraft, keeping a 43’ section of the forward fuselage for use in a Museum. After some negotiations, the fuselage piece was graciously loaned to the Tillamook Air Museum by Doug Scroggins of Scroggins Aviation and arrived at the Museum on August 31, 2018, where it is currently undergoing restoration. On Loan from Doug Scroggins/Scroggins Aviation.

The Museum's Convair 880 in its Northeast Airlines colors in Boston, Massachusetts in November 1960.

Photo courtesy Jon Proctor

The Museum's Convair 880 in San Francisco in the 1960's wearing its TWA colors.

Photo courtesy Harry T. Peat, Jon Proctor Collection

The Museum's Convair 880 in American Jet Industries colors, sometime after 1978

Photo courtesy Harry Sievers, Jon Proctor Collection.

The Museum's Convair 880 in Mojave, California on September 10, 2001 (one day before 9/11).

Photo courtesy Brian Lockett.

The Museum's Convair 880 being dismantled in 2007.

Photo courtesy Doug Scroggins/Scroggins Aviation

The Museum's Convair 880 being broken up in 2007.

Photo courtesy Doug Scoggins/Scroggins Aviation

The Museum's Convair 880 loaded onto a low boy in August 2018, preparing to leave for its new home at the Tillamook Air Museum.

The Museum's Convair 880 on the road to Tillamook, Oregon in August 2018.

Photo courtesy AGS Transport Inc.

The Convair 880 arrives at the Museum on August 31, 2018.

Fuselage Stairs Progress

Lavatory Progress

Rear Forward Buffet Progress

Passenger Cabin Progress (Looking Rear)

Polishing

Cockpit Progress

To donate to the Convair 880 project, please contact us at the Museum at 503-842-1130 or Info@Tillamookair.com. For specifics on the restoration process itself, please contact Museum Curator Christian Gurling at CGurling@Tillamookair.com