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Link Simulator under Restoration
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July 2013
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Spotlight on Restoration:
The Link Trainer Project
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 In the summer of 2012 the Museum acquired a Link Trainer complete with the accompanying plotting desk. The trainer and desk had been sitting in a hangar exposed to the elements of time and neglect. After several months of research and hard work, the restoration team, led by super volunteer Vern Patterson, is showing excellent progress in bringing the Link Trainer back to full operation.
The Link Trainer was invented by Edwin A. Link, Jr., in 1928, primarily to teach pilots how to fly solely on instruments. As early aviation developed, pilots needed the skills and confidence to fly in marginal weather and at night. The "Blue Box" was a very effective way of building those blind flying skills without risking an airplane or the pilots life.
Edwin Link's parents were in the business of making musical organs which were seen in field church services during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Edwin applied those bellows to his flight simulator to give the feeling of motion to the pilot. A pulley and electric motor system changed the direction of the Blue Box and the total physical enclosure in the simulator with no outside visual clues gave the occupant the sense of blind flying with nothing but the basic aircraft instruments of the era.
  The Army Air Corps showed minimal interest in the Trainer until 1934 when carrying the mail became a very dangerous task. The Link Trainer got its first notoriety in amusement parks where rides were given for 25 cents. The basic Link Trainer was used up through the Korean War and many senior pilots today will tell you how the Trainer experience saved their life in a difficult situation.
Imagine being selected as a World War II pilot candidate trying to learn the complexities of navigation and flight in marginal weather conditions or at night. It is estimated that more than 500,000 pilots had some training experiences in the Link Trainer. During World War II the military services and our allies purchased more than 10,000 trainers. Little changed in the construction or configuration of the trainer during WWII and into the mid 1950s. Even the Apollo astronauts recalled their time in the Blue Box. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers designated the Link Trainer as a Historical Landmark in Mechanical Engineering.
Edwin Link would not recognize the sophistication of the current full motion and video simulators used to train pilots not only in basic instrument flight but all forms of operational tactics. He would be proud of the many lives he saved through their challenging experiences and hours in his Blue Box.
Our early version of the Link Trainer is made of wood and early tube technology radios and instruments. The wood working members of the restoration team are diligently restoring the wooden box as other members of the team strategize on how to get the original electronics, switches, motors and other hardware back into working order. The plotting desk and its hardware must also be restored and returned to full function so our team has taken on a complex challenge.
 The data plate confirms our trainer is an AN-T-18 used by the Army Air Corp. We have acquired several instruction and overhaul manuals plus some WWII photos which are being used for disassembling and reconstruction of the trainer.
The charter to resurrect this complex system back to operational status is huge and the museum can use your help. While there are many who trained in the Link, we need to speak with and/or get documentation from people who built, maintained or instructed in the trainers. If you know someone who can provide information or if you have related documents, please contact us through the contact form on the Museum website. www.worldwariiaviation.org
 Many of our senior visitors who have hours logged in the Blue Box would love one more chance to have a few minutes with an old friend who gave them the experience and skills to fly another day. We are proud to have a full Link Trainer and plotting desk. We know a fully functional Trainer will be another major highlight when you visit the National Museum of World War II Aviation. But for now, you can see the restoration in progress as you take your informative tour of the Museum and WestPac Restorations.
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Meet Our Volunteers
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Mr. Stephen Clark is the Museum Volunteer Coordinator and is in charge of interfacing with all prospective volunteers to determine their level of experience, interest in the Museum, availability, and training requirements. Steve maintains and updates the volunteer list and serves as the single point of contact for all volunteer activities.
When visitors express an interest in volunteering, whether in person or through the Museum website, Steve is the first person they will meet and work with as he guides them through the signup process. With the equipment involved in restoration and the constantly moving displays, it is important that our volunteers are vigilant, informed, and safety conscious. Steve is our go-to person for volunteer activities.
Steve was born in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, and attended Ferris State University. His education was cut short when he was required to return home to care for his family during an extended illness. Steve served in the Army and was assigned to the Pentagon as a computer specialist. He has worked over 45 years in the Information Technology career field as an employee or consultant in the areas of transportation, communication and government. As a Director at MCI in Colorado Springs, Steve led a wide range of initiatives including project and program management, systems support, configuration management, and full life cycle development.
Steve currently volunteers at various Christian organizations in a variety of areas including board membership, youth life coaching and outreach assistance. Although we think of him in his primary role of Volunteer Coordinator, he also lends a hand in artifact cataloging, library management, vendor activities and maintenance when required.
During your visit, take a moment to thank Stephen Clark for all the hard work he puts into making the Museum a success.
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| Your Comments | Thanks for your great comments and suggestions posted through our website. We read every submission and work to implement your great ideas. For those visiting and taking the tour, there is never enough time to visit all the exhibits and fully grasp the technologies and history that came from World War II. Many are making return trips with family and friends. Expectations are always exceeded. A B-25 or a Tigercat may be taking off during your tour so you get to see the ramp preparations and actual takeoff.
Some of our out-of-state visitors find us through TripAdvisor.com which has several different categories including museums. We would appreciate your reviews and photos. Thanks for your visit to the museum and tell your friends!! Check out
Many of our visitors comment about the quality of our docent presentations. Often times volunteers or employees of the restoration facility interact with our tours and answer those tough technical questions about the Norden Bomb Sight or the warbird radial engines. Everyone's experience is different based on their specific interest and knowledge. Your questions and interest have prompted us to create new displays and include your shared knowledge in our future tours.
We have several interesting WWII veterans interviews which we are working to share on the Museum website. More about that in the future. Also we plan to share some of the success we are experiencing with our youth science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs. Thanks for your interest and excitement as we develop this important museum in Colorado Springs. Our great docents enjoy hearing your stories and meeting your WWII hero.
Based on your comments we are developing stories on the TBM and PT-19. We have several ideas for future displays. You, our visitors, are often the source for artifacts and ideas which evolve into informative displays representing key elements of the World War II story.
We have put in place an iPad where you can sign up for this newsletter during the check-in process. Some have asked about a membership program and we hope to have that in place in the next few weeks. Things are happening fast at the Museum as volunteers continue to build exhibits and displays.
The Facebook page for the Museum is a great way to follow the daily activities including veterans' visits, new artifacts, and warbirds that may be visiting and could be seen during your tour. The Facebook link is http://www.facebook.com/wwiiaviation or click on the link above. In the footer below, you will notice a link to Update Profile/Email Address. Please take a moment to update your information so we can personalize our contact with you. Spread the word. This is your tribute to the "Greatest Generation" and the opportunity to educate the next generations. For Twitter users, you can find us at www.twitter.com/wwiiaviation |
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