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.

Link to the Collection's Descriptive Finding Guide.

Link to digitized newsletters on Archive.org.