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Dates |
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Event |
1954 |
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Constructed as a C-131B. |
March 1955 |
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Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 53-7793. |
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Transferred to Griffiss AFB, NY.
Used as a radar test bed. |
December 1966 |
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Transferred to Calspan, Buffalo, NY. |
1967 |
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Redesignated as NC-131B. |
From December 1968 to 1970 |
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Converted to a NC-131H.
Engines changed from piston radials to Allison 501-D-13 turbo-props. Done in Burbank, CA. |
8 July 1970 |
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First flight.
First flight as NC-131H, Total In-Flight Simulator. |
June 1971 |
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First project was simulating B-1 to verify anticipated flight characteristics. During the next few years it flew projects for the Concorde, cross-wind landings, and numerous NASA programs - including Space Shuttle programs beginning in 1974. |
From 1979 to 1986 |
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From American Museum of Aviation: In 1979, it was fitted with a digital computer in connection with the Space Shuttle program and remained in use until 1986. |
February 1987 |
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From American Museum of Aviation: Used by Boeing to test flight control computer software and control configurations for its proposed 757 transport. |
Circa 1993 |
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Photographer: Rich Tregear
Notes: At Edwards AFB |
Circa 1995 |
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Photographer: USAF photo |
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Throughout its service, it also simulated X-29, YF-23 and B-2 flights. Researched characteristics of jumbo jets such as B747 and C-5, worked on avionics display systems, radar and FLIR, etc. Uprated engines installed in the 1980s. Continual avionics and computer updates. |
31 January 2000 |
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To United States Government, Buffalo, NY with new c/r N793VS. |
2000 |
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Leased to Calspan, Veridian Engineering, Buffalo, NY.
Aircraft was operated under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). |
2003 |
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Developed improved flight control system for X-40A. |
23 December 2003 |
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Certificate of airworthiness for NX793VS (340, 245) issued. |
2004 |
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Test bed for system to detect gas leaks via aerial surveillance. |
2005 |
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Performed simulation testing for Boeing 787. |
20 December 2005 |
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Certificate of airworthiness for NX793VS (340, 245) issued. |
August 2006 |
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Photographer: William Chandler
Notes: At Calspan. |
2007 |
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From NMUSAF Friends Journal Spring 2009: investigated the handling characteristics of a next-generation, supersonic, tailless, long-range strike aircraft. |
19 December 2007 |
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Certificate of airworthiness for NX793VS (340, 245) issued. |
2008 |
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From NMUSAF Friends Journal Spring 2009: investigated the rudder control system on the Airbus A-300 as it pertained to the crash of American Airlines Flight 578. |
7 November 2008 |
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Ferry flight. Delivered to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
Was last active C-131 on USAF inventory.
 View the Location Dossier |
7 November 2008 |
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Photographer: US Air Force Museum Website (Public Domain)
Notes: The Convair NC-131H Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS), a very unique aircraft created to perform research for the U.S. Air Force, lands on the back field of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force at Dayton, Ohio on Nov. 7, 2008. |
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Placed on display. |
14 May 2010 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield |
7 January 2014 |
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To unknown owner with c/r N793VS.
Sale reported to a new owner in Wright Patterson, OH. |
14 May 2015 |
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Civil registration, N793VS, cancelled.
Sale reported to a new owner in Wright Patterson, OH. |
17 April 2017 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield |
18 September 2023 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield |
18 September 2023 |
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Photographer: Glenn Chatfield |
