Convair 660

The Convair 660 was a projected short-haul jet airliner for up to 88 passengers, put to airlines in 1967 by General Dynamics as a new attempt to get into commercial aircraft manufacturing after a lapse of several years. It was to be powered by two Rolls-Royce RB.203 Trent engines of 9,730 pounds thrust, set unusually over the wing, which reduced wing bending moment, kept the engines fairly high off the ground without a long undercarriage and put the large freight door aft of the wing. Seating was six abreast, up to 88 at 34 inch pitch, and gross weight was 62,500 pounds. It was aimed at the short-haul markets that the Fokker Fellowship and Fairchild Hiller F-228 were also targeting, and a greater payload-range and equally good airfield performance were claimed against that rival. It remained a project and was never built.