Convair NC-131H 53-7793 AFFDL N Falls ANGB 4-10-76
According to Aerial Visuals database this aircraft was delivered in 1954 Constructed as a C-131B.
March 1955 Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 53-7793.Transferred to Griffiss AFB, NY.
Used as a radar test bed.
December 1966 Transferred to Calspan, Buffalo, NY.
1967 Redesignated as NC-131B.
From December 1968 to 1970 Converted to a NC-131H.
Engines changed from piston radials to Allison 501-D-13 turbo-props. Done in Burbank, CA. 8 July 1970 First flight.
First flight as NC-131H, Total In-Flight Simulator with the Air Force Flight Development Laboratory? (AFFDL).
June 1971 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.
In 1979, it was fitted with a digital computer in connection with the Space Shuttle program and remained in use until 1986.
February 1987 Used by Boeing to test flight control computer software and control configurations for its proposed 757 transport.
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 To United States Government, Buffalo, NY with c/r N793VS. Leased to Calspan, Veridian Engineering, Buffalo, NY. Aircraft was operated under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
2003 Developed improved flight control system for X-40A.
2004 Test bed for system to detect gas leaks via aerial surveillance.
2005 Performed simulation testing for Boeing 787.
2007: investigated the handling characteristics of a next-generation, supersonic, tailless, long-range strike aircraft.
19 December 2007 Certificate of airworthiness for NX793VS (340, 245) issued.
2008 investigated the rudder control system on the Airbus A-300 as it pertained to the crash of American Airlines Flight 578.
7 November 2008 Ferry flight. Delivered to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
Was last active C-131 on USAF inventory.
Convair NC-131H 53-7793 AFFDL N Falls ANGB 4-10-76
According to Aerial Visuals database this aircraft was delivered in 1954 Constructed as a C-131B.
March 1955 Taken on Strength/Charge with the United States Air Force with s/n 53-7793.Transferred to Griffiss AFB, NY.
Used as a radar test bed.
December 1966 Transferred to Calspan, Buffalo, NY.
1967 Redesignated as NC-131B.
From December 1968 to 1970 Converted to a NC-131H.
Engines changed from piston radials to Allison 501-D-13 turbo-props. Done in Burbank, CA. 8 July 1970 First flight.
First flight as NC-131H, Total In-Flight Simulator with the Air Force Flight Development Laboratory? (AFFDL).
June 1971 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.
In 1979, it was fitted with a digital computer in connection with the Space Shuttle program and remained in use until 1986.
February 1987 Used by Boeing to test flight control computer software and control configurations for its proposed 757 transport.
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 To United States Government, Buffalo, NY with c/r N793VS. Leased to Calspan, Veridian Engineering, Buffalo, NY. Aircraft was operated under Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
2003 Developed improved flight control system for X-40A.
2004 Test bed for system to detect gas leaks via aerial surveillance.
2005 Performed simulation testing for Boeing 787.
2007: investigated the handling characteristics of a next-generation, supersonic, tailless, long-range strike aircraft.
19 December 2007 Certificate of airworthiness for NX793VS (340, 245) issued.
2008 investigated the rudder control system on the Airbus A-300 as it pertained to the crash of American Airlines Flight 578.
7 November 2008 Ferry flight. Delivered to National Museum of the United States Air Force, Wright Field, Dayton, OH.
Was last active C-131 on USAF inventory.