Constructed as a C-131B and taken on strength with the US Air Force with serial 53-7793 in 1955 it was used as a radar testbed. In 1966, the aircraft was transferred to Calspan, Buffalo (NY) and redesignated NC-131B. From December 1968 to 1970 it was converted to an NC-131H, its engines changed from piston radials to Allison 501-D-13 turbo-props, made its first flight as a Total Flight-In Simulator (TIFS) in 1970. After various projects it was handed over to Calspan as N793VS on 23 December 2003. To the USAF Museum in Wright-Patterson on 7 November 2008.

Here for a week doing training.

Arrived the day before, was prepared for departure and then unloaded again with engines being covered.

Calspan Corporation's Flight Research division Strike Saab works for the Naval Air Warfare Command testing and training in the (ASTARS II (Airborne Systems Training and Research Support) program.