Last Primary AFSC/MOS
32894-Avionic Communications-Navigation Systems Superintendent
Last AFSC Group
Avionics Maintenance
Service Years
1955 - 1979
Last Photo
Personal Details
Home State
Illinois
Year of Birth 1937
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Contact Info
Home Town Robinson
Last Address Alamogordo, New Mexico
Date of Passing Dec 23, 2012
Location of Interment Monte Vista Cemetery - Alamogordo, New Mexico
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Remembrance Profiles -
1 Airman Remembered
Meszkat, Johann, MSgt
1963-1970, C-131 Samaritan
From Year 1963
To Year 1970
Personal Memories
Not Specified
Image
C-131 Samaritan Details
Aircraft/Missile Information
The CV-240/340/440 series was used by the United States Air Force for medical evacuation and VIP transport and was designated as C-131 Samaritan. The first model Samaritan, the C-131A, was derived from the 240 model, and was delivered to the USAF in 1954. A trainer model, designated the T-29, was also based on the Convair 240 to instruct navigators and radio operators. The T-29 was eventually replaced by the T-43. A planned bomber training version of the T-29 (designated T-32) was never built. The 340 model was used for most C-131Ds.
The U.S. Navy used the Samaritan as the R4Y. Nearly all of the C-131s left the active inventory in the late 1970s, but Air National Guard units operated a few into the mid-1980s. The C-131 was eventually replaced by the C-9 Nightingale.
A Samaritan was the first aircraft used as a flying gunship testbed in mid-1963, in a program known as Project Tailchaser. A C-131B (#53-7820) was given a gunsight for the side window, but instead of guns it had cameras in the cargo area. Eventually the C-131 was ferried to Eglin AFB in Florida and a General Electric SUU-11A/A 7.62 mm Gatling-style Minigun was installed. Live ammunition was used and both over-water and over-land tests were successful.
