This was an interesting paper model to build from a while ago. Its the Link Trainer Flight Simulator from back in the 1940's. Here is a section of text from the Web Site that offers the free model:
"The Link Trainer holds a significant place in aviation history. It was the first true flight simulator, and provided safe training to hundreds of thousands of student pilots during the 1930s and 40s. Using the skills gained working at his father's piano and organ factory, and his own flying experience, Edwin Link designed and built his "pilot trainer" which was patented in 1931. It provided a realistic depiction of flight, and was especially useful in teaching instrument flying. The Link Trainer came into widespread use during the Second World War, with thousands being built for the American, British and Commonwealth air forces. It was a technological marvel at the time of its invention, and its legacy can be seen in modern flight simulators."
When growing up in England, all I could think about was joining the Royal Air Force (RAF). When I was about 16 or so, I joined the Air Training Corp (ATC). It was the primer before joining the full-fledged RAF. I used to go each week for about 2 years, and we would learn using most of the criteria used for pilots in WWII. We would have uniforms, rifles (imitation ones), pretty much everything that would ready you for a role in the Air Force. They also had a Link Trainer Flight Simulator which I was required to learn how to fly an airplane. It was exactly like the one here except if I remember right, it had red, white, and blue roundels on the wings. I would climb up into the cockpit using a small step-stool. Once sitting inside, the other higher-ups would close the canopy which had no windows. I then put on the headphones, and would communicate with the "ground crew" with a microphone in the mask. It was flying blind, using only the instruments. It was difficult to operate. It would move around too when you shifted the joystick. They asked me if I would like to become one of the team that were responsible for operating it.
This is the main base that it all moves about on.
The base pretty much built up. The motor is on the left of the picture which would spin the thing around when you pressed the rudder pedals.
The rudder pedals, and floor pan. It bought back all the memories
Its a really nicely detailed model.
There's the throttle if I remember right on the left of the cockpit. Geez, I remember watching all those dials so closely! The turn-and-back, altimeter, air-speed-indicator and so on
Ah yes, the yoke! Seemed kind of cumbersome at the time, but getting me closer to my dream airplane... the Spitfire!!
Some of the parts are super-tiny so beware!
The fin and rudder
The tailplane and elevators.
The main wings and ailerons. The wings have the proper airfoil section.
"The Link Trainer holds a significant place in aviation history. It was the first true flight simulator, and provided safe training to hundreds of thousands of student pilots during the 1930s and 40s. Using the skills gained working at his father's piano and organ factory, and his own flying experience, Edwin Link designed and built his "pilot trainer" which was patented in 1931. It provided a realistic depiction of flight, and was especially useful in teaching instrument flying. The Link Trainer came into widespread use during the Second World War, with thousands being built for the American, British and Commonwealth air forces. It was a technological marvel at the time of its invention, and its legacy can be seen in modern flight simulators."
When growing up in England, all I could think about was joining the Royal Air Force (RAF). When I was about 16 or so, I joined the Air Training Corp (ATC). It was the primer before joining the full-fledged RAF. I used to go each week for about 2 years, and we would learn using most of the criteria used for pilots in WWII. We would have uniforms, rifles (imitation ones), pretty much everything that would ready you for a role in the Air Force. They also had a Link Trainer Flight Simulator which I was required to learn how to fly an airplane. It was exactly like the one here except if I remember right, it had red, white, and blue roundels on the wings. I would climb up into the cockpit using a small step-stool. Once sitting inside, the other higher-ups would close the canopy which had no windows. I then put on the headphones, and would communicate with the "ground crew" with a microphone in the mask. It was flying blind, using only the instruments. It was difficult to operate. It would move around too when you shifted the joystick. They asked me if I would like to become one of the team that were responsible for operating it.
This is the main base that it all moves about on.
The base pretty much built up. The motor is on the left of the picture which would spin the thing around when you pressed the rudder pedals.
The rudder pedals, and floor pan. It bought back all the memories
Its a really nicely detailed model.
There's the throttle if I remember right on the left of the cockpit. Geez, I remember watching all those dials so closely! The turn-and-back, altimeter, air-speed-indicator and so on
Ah yes, the yoke! Seemed kind of cumbersome at the time, but getting me closer to my dream airplane... the Spitfire!!
Some of the parts are super-tiny so beware!
The fin and rudder
The tailplane and elevators.
The main wings and ailerons. The wings have the proper airfoil section.
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