Consolidated Vultee Aircraft Corporation, often referred to as Convair, was an American aerospace manufacturer formed in 1943 through the merger of Consolidated Aircraft Corporation and Vultee Aircraft. The company played a significant role during World War II, producing military aircraft such as the B-24 Liberator bomber and the PBY Catalina flying boat. After the war, Convair shifted focus to commercial aviation and space exploration. It developed notable aircraft like the Convair 880 and the Convair 990, as well as the Atlas rocket, which was crucial for the United States' early space missions. The company eventually became part of General Dynamics in 1953.