HB-IMU ¦ ZRH 26.05.1979
Convair CV.440-0 Metropolitan (c/n 474)
Air Sea (Air Sea Service)
Zürich-Kloten (ZRH/LSZH)
26 May 1979
Little-known Swiss Carrier Air Sea Service was founded in 1974, was based at Basel/Mulhouse airport and in 1976 acquired a Convair CV.440 Metropolitan for scheduled and charter services. Registered as HB-IMU, it became an infrequent visitor to Zürich, and was captured on finals to runway 14 on completion of a charter service.
The aircraft was built in 1957, and was eventually delivered to the German Luftwaffe in 1959. In 1974 it was sold to the civil market, becoming OO-VGW with Delta Air Transport. In July 1976 it was acquired by Air Sea, and finally registered as HB-IMU in November that year.
HB-IMU served with Air Sea until December 1979, when the company was renamed Rhineair and started operations with a GAF Nomad, with the Convair being retired during this transition. It was eventually sold to the USA in 1980, and on to México in 1981. Its last operator was Aéro Cedros, which acquired the Metropolitan as XA-RYV in May 1994. Sometime after this date it was retired and stored, but its further fate is unknown.
HB-IMU ¦ ZRH 26.05.1979
Convair CV.440-0 Metropolitan (c/n 474)
Air Sea (Air Sea Service)
Zürich-Kloten (ZRH/LSZH)
26 May 1979
Little-known Swiss Carrier Air Sea Service was founded in 1974, was based at Basel/Mulhouse airport and in 1976 acquired a Convair CV.440 Metropolitan for scheduled and charter services. Registered as HB-IMU, it became an infrequent visitor to Zürich, and was captured on finals to runway 14 on completion of a charter service.
The aircraft was built in 1957, and was eventually delivered to the German Luftwaffe in 1959. In 1974 it was sold to the civil market, becoming OO-VGW with Delta Air Transport. In July 1976 it was acquired by Air Sea, and finally registered as HB-IMU in November that year.
HB-IMU served with Air Sea until December 1979, when the company was renamed Rhineair and started operations with a GAF Nomad, with the Convair being retired during this transition. It was eventually sold to the USA in 1980, and on to México in 1981. Its last operator was Aéro Cedros, which acquired the Metropolitan as XA-RYV in May 1994. Sometime after this date it was retired and stored, but its further fate is unknown.