I know of one (not sure if it was a 240, 340, or 440, but the aircraft are
very similar) that was flown with some frequency from a 3500' grass strip
with honest to gosh 50' obstacles at each end. The field was narrow too.
At its tightest point, maybe 20' wider than the Convair's wingspan. Not
for the faint of heart.

That's about how long the north/south runway was here -- maybe a bit
longer -- but with a hospital off the departure end a the TOP OF A HILL.

The old fella who emailed me said they had to have maximum performance,
because the airport is in a bowl, yet they had to also be worried about
noise abatement because of the hospital!

I can't imagine flying airliner off of our current Rwy 36 (which has been
shortened with a displaced threshold, but you can still "use" the remaining
portion in a pinch) -- yet they did it every day, several times a day,
apparently without mishap, for 40 years.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"