Link Trainer
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Link Trainer
It appears that in the equivelant of a vintage car 'barn find', a relatively intact Link Trainer has been discovered during clearance work for Edinburgh's new tram system. Seems to be in quite original nick judging from the pics, and it's off to a good home apparently. Apologies if this has been done before/known about already.
BBC NEWS | Scotland | WWII flight simulator found
BBC NEWS | Scotland | WWII flight simulator found
Last edited by mustpost; 5th Aug 2008 at 11:00.
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Think they used to be a relatively common bit of kit for ATC squadrons. There was one fully operational & complete with the map marker for the flight path in the ATC hut behind Bournemouth School for Boys in the late 70s. Having said that this one looks almost like new.
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Brings back happy memories of Basic Training at Linton in the 70s, where the Link trainer was run by 2 ex-Polish Air Force pilots, each with names consisting entirely of consonants - great characters with a wealth of airmanship and experience to pass on to us studes.
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Aachen University still runs an operational Link Trainer for educational purpose. The students today hardly believe that there could be a sort of computer which is not digital, but does calculations...
Spent some hours in that one back in the late 80´s
Spent some hours in that one back in the late 80´s
That was the first experience of 'flight' I had, the trainer was complete with the map table.
The trainer was installed in 44(F) Sqn ATC, when based in Leeds Road, I wonder what happened to it when they moved?.
The trainer was installed in 44(F) Sqn ATC, when based in Leeds Road, I wonder what happened to it when they moved?.
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Likewise, ZH875, my first attempt at poling an 'aircraft' was the Link Trainer in my ATC Squadron back in the late 70's. Much fun was had being 'controlled' and at the end of the exercise seeing how accurate a course had been inked onto the plotting table by the crab.
Of course if the instructor was distracted (which I recall happening more than once) then the crab dutifully tracked off the table and onto the floor!
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It makes you wonder what (if anything) goes on in the heads of the ATC people who just abandoned this historic artifact to be buldozed into the ground. Have they never heard of museums or collectors???
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Mr K-Why(?!)
I was interested in this story because of an early involvement with the crab - my old man gave me lots of precision engineered bits from several he picked up in a scrappies in the late '50s, thereby allowing me to have a very posh Meccano set..I still have some brass gears somewhere..
Later he told me how he had trained 'under the hood'.
ag b
Couldn't agree more, but I think the ATC place went out of use in the early '70s, I'll check the location - sort of recognised the hut exterior - maybe they weren't that bothered about museums then...
Later he told me how he had trained 'under the hood'.
ag b
Couldn't agree more, but I think the ATC place went out of use in the early '70s, I'll check the location - sort of recognised the hut exterior - maybe they weren't that bothered about museums then...
The squadron was still using the building until recently. I too find it incredible that it was abandoned because not too long ago it used to work quite well, having been serviced by one of the squadron staff.
Here's a link.
Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing: 287 (Stenhouse) Sq Link Trainer
Here's a link.
Edinburgh & South Scotland Wing: 287 (Stenhouse) Sq Link Trainer
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Synthetic
Yes but things haven't changed too much since then, you just moved up the road to Crawley.
Isn't the product put together in much the same way.
We used to have one in our foyer.
But then, we were---
Link Miles.
Happy days
But then, we were---
Link Miles.
Happy days
Isn't the product put together in much the same way.
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wub
Many thanks for the update and clearing a lot of things up - nice pics, and you answer my (and ag b's) comments about how the situation came about. I know the exact location. Lived all my yoof in D'Brae, and did all my m/cycle training around the Saughton area - also lived locally for a while....
(Sorry if I trod on any toes..)
(Sorry if I trod on any toes..)
Last edited by mustpost; 6th Aug 2008 at 20:56. Reason: revision
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Yes but things haven't changed too much since then, you just moved up the road to Crawley.
Isn't the product put together in much the same way.
Isn't the product put together in much the same way.
