Convair NC-131H TIFS (Total Inflight Simulator)
The Convair C-131 Samaritan was the military version of the Convair propliner series (CV-240 through 440), bought "off the shelf" by the USAF to partially replace its fleet of World War II-era C-47 Skytrains, both in the light transport and aeromedical/casualty evacuation role--hence the name "Samaritan." As the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar and Lockheed C-130 Hercules became the primary medium transports of the USAF, the C-131s were relegated relatively quickly to Air National Guard units, where they served as crew transports and "hack" aircraft. The first Samaritan entered service in 1950.
There were a large number of Samaritan variants, including electronic warfare aircraft, search and rescue coordination aircraft (flown mostly by the US Coast Guard), testbeds, and trainers, the latter as the T-29 navigator trainer.
Because the C-131 was reliable and plenty of spare parts were available, it remained in service for forty years. It was withdrawn from active duty USAF units by 1978, but ANG units would keep their Samaritans around until 1990.
One of the most unusual aircraft ever built, the NC-131H TIFS (Total In-Flight Simulator) was converted from a USAF C-131B transport (53-7793) already in use as a radar testing aircraft. The nose was removed and a new one grafted on, with a full cockpit, controls, and testing equipment. The aircraft could be flown from either cockpit. Calspan at Buffalo, New York, handled the conversion, and though it was still flown by the USAF and carried on the books as a NC-131H, it carried a civilian registration on the tail.
The idea behind the TIFS was to test different flying characteristics of aircraft designs before the design went to the prototype phased. Large fins were added to the wings to better simulate crosswind landing characteristics, and turboprops for more speed and reliability. Though ungainly, it suffered little issues with aerodynamics. The TIFS would be part of the testing program for the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, YF-23 Black Widow II, X-29, X-40, and C-5 Galaxy; in addition, it also was involved in studies for the Space Shuttle, Concorde, and the cancelled Boeing 2707 SST, as well as the Boeing 747 and 787 Dreamliner. In 2002, it was used to simulate the same rudder problem that caused the fatal crash of American Airlines Flight 578.
Because of its unique appearance, role, and its status as the last C-131 variant in the USAF, the TIFS was slated for preservation. When it was retired in 2008, it made its final flight to the National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. and now is on display in the museum's Experimental Gallery.
Seeing the TIFS at the NMUSAF was a surprise: I had heard of the aircraft and seen pictures, but never thought I would actually see it. My friend who traveled with me remarked "What the hell is THAT?" The NC-131 retains the standard finish of USAF C-131s, with bare metal except the white upper fuselage, painted to reflect heat. It carries a Calspan logo on the nose and on the tail stripe, and a USAF Systems Command patch as well.
Convair NC-131H TIFS (Total Inflight Simulator)
The Convair C-131 Samaritan was the military version of the Convair propliner series (CV-240 through 440), bought "off the shelf" by the USAF to partially replace its fleet of World War II-era C-47 Skytrains, both in the light transport and aeromedical/casualty evacuation role--hence the name "Samaritan." As the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar and Lockheed C-130 Hercules became the primary medium transports of the USAF, the C-131s were relegated relatively quickly to Air National Guard units, where they served as crew transports and "hack" aircraft. The first Samaritan entered service in 1950.
There were a large number of Samaritan variants, including electronic warfare aircraft, search and rescue coordination aircraft (flown mostly by the US Coast Guard), testbeds, and trainers, the latter as the T-29 navigator trainer.
Because the C-131 was reliable and plenty of spare parts were available, it remained in service for forty years. It was withdrawn from active duty USAF units by 1978, but ANG units would keep their Samaritans around until 1990.
One of the most unusual aircraft ever built, the NC-131H TIFS (Total In-Flight Simulator) was converted from a USAF C-131B transport (53-7793) already in use as a radar testing aircraft. The nose was removed and a new one grafted on, with a full cockpit, controls, and testing equipment. The aircraft could be flown from either cockpit. Calspan at Buffalo, New York, handled the conversion, and though it was still flown by the USAF and carried on the books as a NC-131H, it carried a civilian registration on the tail.
The idea behind the TIFS was to test different flying characteristics of aircraft designs before the design went to the prototype phased. Large fins were added to the wings to better simulate crosswind landing characteristics, and turboprops for more speed and reliability. Though ungainly, it suffered little issues with aerodynamics. The TIFS would be part of the testing program for the B-1 Lancer, B-2 Spirit, YF-23 Black Widow II, X-29, X-40, and C-5 Galaxy; in addition, it also was involved in studies for the Space Shuttle, Concorde, and the cancelled Boeing 2707 SST, as well as the Boeing 747 and 787 Dreamliner. In 2002, it was used to simulate the same rudder problem that caused the fatal crash of American Airlines Flight 578.
Because of its unique appearance, role, and its status as the last C-131 variant in the USAF, the TIFS was slated for preservation. When it was retired in 2008, it made its final flight to the National Museum of the USAF at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. and now is on display in the museum's Experimental Gallery.
Seeing the TIFS at the NMUSAF was a surprise: I had heard of the aircraft and seen pictures, but never thought I would actually see it. My friend who traveled with me remarked "What the hell is THAT?" The NC-131 retains the standard finish of USAF C-131s, with bare metal except the white upper fuselage, painted to reflect heat. It carries a Calspan logo on the nose and on the tail stripe, and a USAF Systems Command patch as well.