Delivered as a Convair 340 to National Airlines registered N8417H in 1953, this is another Convairliner that went to Allegheny Airlines. Bought in 1960, Allegheny first upgraded the aircraft to a 440 and further to 580 standard in 1966. Bought by Aspen Airways in 1976 , they flew it until 1989. Finally going to going to South America in 1991 with AVESCA Colombia as HK-3616X, the aircraft was later impounded by Mexican authorities for drug running.

Originally a Convair 440 with National Airlines as N2043 in 1956, this Convair was bought by Allegheny Airlines in 1962. Converted by the airline to a Convair 580 in 1966, Aspen Airways leased it in December 1977 and bought it in June 1978. Final flight for the airliner was February 2, 1988 when it hit a snow bank on landing at Durango, CO. No one was injured, but the airplane was damaged enough to be written off.

Aspen was the original operator of this 146. Later regns include XA-RST, N568BA, EC-971, EC-GEP, G-DEBN and G-MABR.

Ex USAAF 42-23535 on the Aspen ramp at Stapleton.

Two ex-United Airlines Convair 340s converted to CV580 turboprop standard and operating in varying colour schemes at Denver Stapleton for Aspen Airways. N73126 c/n 53 in the background.

Same spot as my other shot of N5818 but a year and a half later and she's looking good in the new colours, one of a number of attractive shades applied to the fleet at this time

One of three 146s bought by Aspen in the mid-1980s and operated till the airline ceased in 1990. Later CP-2249, N117TR and reverted to G-BLRA with BAe Warton in 9.97. Used as corporate shuttle by BAe Systems from 1990 till replaced by G-BTVT in 2011. Has recently undergone slow reduction to spares at Exeter

National took delivery of this airframe as a CV-340 in 1953. She was converted twice - first to CV-440 and then to a CV-580 in 1966. Sold to Avesca Colombia in 1991 but quickly seized by the Mexican govt. Wfu at Santa Lucia AB in 1993 but sold to Kelowna in 2000 as C-FIWN and most recently flying for Pioneer Air Cargo then Skyforce Cargo as VH-PDX

One of my favourite Convair shots recalling the days when Aspen ran a smart fleet of multi-coloured 580's (plus for me a nice flight to Colorado Springs on one). Also visible behind is one of their new 146's. This 580, acquired from Allegheny in 10.78 went to Kelowna as C-GKFU in 1.92 then Air Freight NZ as ZK-KFU in 4.95 but sadly crashed at sea off New Zealand on 3.10.03

Four Aspen Airways Convair 580s and BAe146 N461AP at their Denver Stapleton hub in 1986. N5815 is nearest right.