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Consolidated Aircraft Corporation Periodical Collection
SDASM.SC.10176
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Consolidated Aircraft Corporation Periodical Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10176
Physical Description:
.8 Cubic Feet
This is a two box collection, both with measurements 18 x 13 ¼ x 3 inches. There are over 200 issues of “The Consolidated
News.”
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: “The Consolidated News” was a newsletter that was published weekly during World War II. The majority of the newsletters in
this collection are from the San Diego Division, and most of the newsletters are bound together in four hard cover albums.
Physical Description: Description: This is a two box collection, both with measurements 18 x 13 ¼ x 3 inches. There are over 200 issues of “The
Consolidated News.”
Consolidated Aircraft Corporation was founded in 1923 by Major Reuben H. Fleet. In 1935, Consolidated relocated to San Diego
due to favorable weather conditions, proximity to North Island NAS, and generous financial agreements. Almost a decade after
Consolidated began producing aircraft in San Diego, Consolidated merged with Vultee Aircraft Corporation to form Consolidated-Vultee
Aircraft Corporation (informally known as CVAC or Convair) in March 1943. General Dynamics purchased a majority interest,
formally renaming the division as Convair in 1954 and it continued to produce aircraft and components until General Dynamics
began divesting itself of its aircraft and spacecraft divisions in the mid-nineties.
Consolidated become one of the largest civilian employers in San Diego, with employment peaking during World War II. Employment
peaked in 1943 around 40,000 employees, of which forty percent were women. Consolidated/Convair was responsible for producing
several thousand aircraft for the war effort – some being regarded as significant aircraft in aerospace history – including
the PBY Catalina and the B-24 Liberator.
Despite the merger of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation and Vultee Aircraft Corporation, the weekly Consolidated publication
maintained the title “The Consolidated News.” The only change was the line below the title, formerly printed as “Consolidated
Aircraft Corporation” then became “Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation.” The newsletters was printed for the San Diego
manufacturing plants, and it was distributed to announce events, spread propaganda, update employees on the war effort, provide
encouragement, and drive the workers to work harder.
The collection is open to research by appointment.
Consolidated/Convair/GD Collection
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Consolidated B-24 Liberator Family
Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina
Consolidated PB2Y Coronado
Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation