linkinst.pdf
(
265 KB
)
Pobierz
Assembly Instructions
for the Link Trainer
Edwin Link and his trainer: a brief history
The Link Trainer holds a significant place in aviation history. It was the first true flight simulator,
providing safe and realistic training to hundreds of thousands of student pilots during the 1930s
and 40s.
Edwin A. Link (1904–1981) began work in the 1920s at his father’s piano and organ factory in
Binghamton, New York, but his true interest was in flying. In 1927, when he received his pilot’s
license, flight training was expensive and often dangerous, and Link began thinking about better
ways to instruct student aviators. Using skills gained working at his father’s factory, and his own
flying experience, he designed and built a “pilot trainer” which he patented in 1931.
The trainer provided a truly realistic depiction of flight. The controls and instruments were identical in appearance and operation to those in real aircraft,
and conditions such as icing and turbulence could be simulated. Full 3-axis movement was achieved by the use of pneumatic bellows for roll and pitch
and a motorized turntable for turning. Lessons were supervised by an operator who sat at a nearby desk. The operator could simulate weather conditions
and radio beacons, as well as transmitting instructions to the student pilot. In addition, an ink plotter on the desk would automatically mark the student’s
flight path on a map to assist in navigation training.
In spite of these features, initial sales were slow, and at first the machine was more popular as an amusement park ride than as a training aid. Then in
1934, after several accidents involving aircraft flying during bad weather or night, the US Army Air Corps purchased six trainers to improve pilots’
instrument skills. In the following years sales increased in the US, and other countries including Japan, Germany and the USSR purchased trainers.
When the Second World War brought about the need to train large numbers of new pilots the Link Trainer came into truly widespread use. Basic
instruction in the “blue box” before proceeding to actual flight provided incalculable savings in time, money and lives. By the end of the war thousands
of trainers had been built for use by the American, British and Commonwealth armed forces. Even today some of these early trainers are used to teach
instrument flying.
After the war the Link Company continued the manufacture of flight simulators, increasing in complexity to match advances in aircraft design. Edwin
Link, by now a wealthy man, left the aerospace business in the 1950s and began a new career, using his considerable engineering skills in the design of
submersibles and remotely operated underwater vehicles. But he will be best remembered for his flight trainer. The Link Trainer was a technological
marvel at the time of its invention, and its legacy can be seen in today’s modern flight simulators.
Acknowledgements
I wish to express my thanks to the staff of the following institutions for their assistance in the design of this model: The Huron County Museum,
Goderich, Ontario; The Toronto Aerospace Museum, Toronto, Ontario; The Niagara Aerospace Museum, Niagara Falls, New York.
The Model
This model builds into a 1/24 scale replica of a World War II-era Link Trainer in United States Army Air Corps markings. A word of caution: this model
is not suitable for assembly by young children, due to the use of sharp tools and the complexity of some assembly steps. Previous experience with card
modeling is strongly recommended. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding this kit, I can be reached by e-mail at models@currell.net
Model parts are contained in the document
linkprts.pdf
. Print out the parts document on 8.5"x11" or A4 size white card stock suitable to your printer (67
lb. cover stock recommended).
Tools
Before beginning, you will need the following tools and materials:
a)
white glue
b)
a glue applicator such as wooden toothpicks or a small paintbrush
c)
scissors (optional)
d)
a sharp knife for cutting
e)
a flat cutting surface
f)
a ruler or straight edge
g)
a scoring tool or blunt knife for creasing the fold lines
h)
a long, slender tool such as a letter opener, for applying pressure to hard-to-reach places
Hints
a) Select a well-lit, comfortable work area that will remain undisturbed when you are not there.
b) Keep your hands and tools clean when working, to avoid getting glue on visible parts of the model.
c) It’s easier to stay organized if you only cut out those parts you need for each step.
d) Make sure your knife is sharp. When cutting straight lines, use a straight-edge. Scissors, if used carefully, can be used for large curved parts.
e) Study the diagrams carefully, and always test-fit the parts before applying glue.
f) You may wish to colour the edges of the parts to make seams less visible. Pencil crayon or paint applied with a fine brush can be used (experiment
on scrap pieces to see what works best).
linkinst.pdf v1.0 December 2001 © Ralph Currell www.currell.net
Page 1 of 6
Assembly
In these instructions, the directional terms are given from the pilot’s point of view. “Port” and “starboard” refer to left and right sides respectively.
Scoring of parts is indicated by thin black lines outside the part’s outline or by dashed lines or coloured lines on the part’s surface. Score parts
before
cutting them out. In the diagrams, subassemblies are identified by a number within a circle (e.g.
), corresponding to the step in which it was
assembled.
Attach reinforcing strips to the turntable base (
step 1
). Assemble the side walls (fold top flaps onto the inside surface) and attach to the base (
steps 2,3
)
with the sides marked “Front” facing the same direction. Assemble the fuselage platform (
step 4
) ensuring the upper surface of A7 is attached flush with
the top edge of A36. Glue to turntable, with the bottom flaps inside the turntable walls (
step 5
). Attach the motor mounting rails and air hose (
step 6
),
ensuring the light blue markings on the rails are on the protruding ends, facing upward. Assemble the motor housing and slide onto the rails, as indicated
by the light blue markings, then add belt tightener A6 (step 7). Assemble the spindle and glue into slots in base bottom (
step 8
). Assemble the foot step
and attach it and the lock bars to the turntable (
step 9
).
(
Step 10)
assemble base walls and attach top plate A29 (flush with top edges of walls). Glue reinforcing strips to the inside of the top plate at the four
corners, ensuring the round hole is not obstructed, then attach inner plate A22 to these strips. Press turntable into base assembly (
step 11
). To allow
rotation of turntable, do not glue. Assemble the tool box (
step 12
).
(
Step 13
) glue floor parts together and bend to match the profile shown in the diagram. Assemble simulator cylinders and control column base (
steps 14,
15
). Fold and glue the control column, glue it into the column base, and attach parts B30, B32 and one of the cylinders (
step 16
). Attach the control
column assembly to the floor, assemble and attach the rudder pedals and the two remaining cylinders (
step 17
).
Glue the front wall parts together (
step 18
). The edges should line up except at the bottom, where B2 overhangs B34 slightly. Glue the front section parts
together (
step 19
), taking care to align the parts as shown in the diagram. Add access panels (
step 20
) to the outside surface as indicated by the light blue
printed shape. Glue the front section to the front wall (
step 21
). Begin gluing at the top, lining up the small printed arrows on the inside surface. The outer
fuselage skin should overlap the edge of the front wall as shown in the diagram.
Glue the centre section parts together (
step 22
) and, if desired, separate the door (
step 23
) using the black printed line to cut. Put the door aside for later
assembly. Assembly will be easier if the centre section and the open end of the front section are bent to match the profile shown in the diagram. Glue the
centre and front sections (
step 24
) ensuring that the outside skin edges butt against each other. Begin at the centre and work down the sides. Attach the
top plate A37 using the light blue printed shape for location. Bend inward the walls at the rear of the centre section, to close the gap at the top of the wall.
Join the instrument panel parts and glue inside the fuselage at the gap between the inner surfaces of the front and centre sections (
step 25
). Attach strips
A31 and A32 on the inside walls below the instrument panel. Also assemble the control box and throttle and attach to the inner fuselage walls as shown.
Join the floor assembly to the fuselage (
step 26
). The outer fuselage skin will overlap the floor edges as shown in the diagram.
Assemble the seat support (
step 27
), the seat cushion (
step 28
) and the control wheel (
step 29
). Glue the cushion to the seat support, then attach to the
fuselage assembly (
step 30
). Attach the wheel to the control column.
Attach connecting strips to the backrest (
step 31
). Add access panels to the rear fuselage skin (
step 32
). Wrap the fuselage skin around the backrest,
beginning at the top centre (
step 33
). Ensure the front edge of the fuselage skin is flush with the front surface of the backrest. Assemble the internal
structure (
step 34
) with the inked surface facing inward. Glue this structure into the rear fuselage, ensuring the bottom edges line up with the fuselage
edges (
step 35
). Take care that the fuselage does not become skewed when doing this, especially at the narrow end. Add the tail plate. Join the rear and
front fuselage sections (
step 36
), ensuring the outside skin edges butt against each other. Add the front fan cover and the side vent (
step 37
).
Assemble the port wing structure (
step 38
). Wrap the wing skin around the structure, such that the skin at the trailing edge lines up (
step 39
). Note that
the national insignia on the wing faces upward. Fold upright the small triangular flap at the edge of the aileron opening and bend the wingtip strip to fit
between the upper and lower wingtips. Fold and glue the aileron (
step 40
) and attach to the wing as shown. Attach the wire bracket to the top of the wing.
Assemble the starboard wing as a mirror image of the port wing (
step 41
). Glue the wings to the fuselage using the printed shapes on the fuselage sides
for location (
step 42
). The top surface of the wings should be at right angles to the fuselage sides. If desired, attach wires between the wing brackets and
the fuselage top plate using thin wire (28 AWG or similar) or silver thread stiffened with glue.
Assemble the rudder and hinge posts. Join the tabs on the hinge posts to the slots in the rudder before attaching the final rudder surface part (
steps 43,
44
). Bend together the edges where the outer surface overhangs the centre part to form a rounded edge. Assemble the elevators and horizontal stabilizer
in a similar manner to the rudder assembly (
step 45
). Glue the struts and actuator brackets to the elevator assembly (
step 46
) and join to the fuselage
using the light red marking on the tail plate to position the bar joining the horizontal stabilizers. Note that there is a small gap between the horizontal
stabilizers and the fuselage. Add handle B10 to the side of the fuselage. Attach the rudder to the fuselage using the light blue markings on the fuselage
and tail plate for location (
step 47
).
Join the inner and outer parts of the canopy wall (
step 48
), and glue together as shown in the diagram. Attach the inner roof sections to the outer roof
(
step 49
) and bend into a curve to close the gaps in the outer edges (the yellow surface bends outward). Glue roof ribs to the inside of the roof to cover
the gaps between the inside sections. Glue the roof to the canopy walls (
step 50
). Attach the control box C7 to the inside front, and the handle and vents
to the outside of the canopy. Attach the canopy support C10/C11 to the starboard side.
Assemble the door (
step 51
). Attach door to fuselage in the open position (at right angles to the fuselage side). Assemble and add the lamps (
step 52
),
using the light blue pads on the inside fuselage and door for location. Attach the canopy to the fuselage in the open position (
step 53
).
Glue the fuselage to the base (
step 54
) using the printed shapes on the base and underside of fuselage for alignment. Join the figure halves. The tool box
from step 12 should be placed separately near the foot step.
linkinst.pdf v1.0 December 2001 © Ralph Currell www.currell.net
Page 2 of 6
Turntable
base
Join base
and walls
Ensure A2 and A3
do not block slots
in A1.
1
2
3
Turntable side walls
A28
Fr
o
nt
A2
A8
Sides marked
"Front" must
line up.
2
1
Flaps go inside
assembly 2.
A1
(Inked surface
faces down)
A3
4
5
6
Join platform to turntable
Motor mounting rails
Fuselage platform
A9
Sides marked
"Front" must
line up.
A37
5
A5
4
Light blue markings
at this end,
facing upward.
Flaps go inside
assembly 3.
A4
F
ro
nt
A13
Roll into cylinder
A7
Fold to double thickness
then cut out shape.
3
Motor housing
and belt tightener
7
8
9
Spindle
Foot step and lock bars
6
A15
A34
A16
7
A11
A6
Attach after
motor housing
is in place.
A29
A19
Wrap around
top of spindle.
A14
Slide over rails
to cover
light blue markings.
8
A10
A18
A17
10
11
13
Base
Base assembly
Fuselage floor
B44
9
B3
(Inked surface
faces down)
Do not glue.
A30
Flaps go
inside A27.
10
A20
Bend floor as shown before
adding other components.
A27
Front end
(narrow)
A23
4 pieces
A22
Control
simulators
(3 pieces)
14
15
Control column base
Tool
box
12
B19
Fold top flaps
onto inside surface.
B29
A26
B21
A12
A21
B28
linkinst.pdf v1.0 December 2001 © Ralph Currell www.currell.net
Page 3 of 6
16
17
18
Control column assembly
Place controls and rudder pedals
Fuselage front wall
L
IN
K
B25
16
B20
Slide into
base.
B24
Roll into
cylinder
B32
B25
(4 pieces)
Fold then
cut out shape.
B30
L
IN
K
B33
L
IN
K
B20
B34
14
15
13
14
B31
Fold then cut
out shape.
Side view of
assembled column.
B2
Overhangs B34 on
bottom edge only
14
Fuselage front
section
Join wall to
front section
19
20
21
Begin gluing at top
centre (align red arrows)
then wrap down sides.
Rear edge of B46 lines up with
notches in B45. B46 overhangs B45
uniformly on other three sides.
Front
access
panels
B46
B45
20
B52
20
18
18
Cross section:
fuselage skin
overlaps front wall.
19
Join front and
centre sections
22
Fuselage
centre section
23
24
Separate door
23
(omit this step if building
model with closed door)
Attach first at
centre, then wrap
down sides.
B47
Bend walls inward
at rear to close gap
at top of wall.
Cut out door
(port side).
B49
A38
21
Bend assemblies 21
and 23 as closely as
possible to this shape
before joining for
easier assembly.
B48
22
Instrument panel
and wall details
25
26
27
Join floor to fuselage
Seat support
B35
Fold then
cut out shape.
Inked side
faces up.
A25
B7
25
B8
A24
B22
B9
Fold then cut
out shape.
A24+A25
17
B36
Begin at front wall,
then work back.
B23
24
28
Seat cushion
25
B6
A36
A35
Cross section:
fuselage skin
overlaps floor.
A32
A31
17
Port wall
Starboard wall
linkinst.pdf v1.0 December 2001 © Ralph Currell www.currell.net
Page 4 of 6
B18
Fold around B17
B17
29
30
31
32
Wheel
Attach seat and wheel
Backrest
Rear access panels
B11
B51
B15
29
B14+B15
B16
B14
C49
LI
NK
B17+B18
B16
(3 pieces)
Fold to
double width
B12
A33
B13
28
27
B53
33
34
35
Join backrest to rear fuselage
Rear fuselage internal structure
Rear fuselage assembly
Attach first at
centre, then wrap
down sides.
B50
Inked surface
faces inside.
33
Front edge of
fuselage skin is
flush with front
surface of assy.31.
B1
B26
Attach to light blue area inside B50
(inked surface faces narrow end).
Tilt bottom edge and attach to
forward wall of B50.
Align bottom
edges of
assemblies 33
and 34.
32
31
34
Fuselage
details
36
37
38
Attach rear fuselage
Port wing internal structure
C19
B27
33
36
C12
f
ro
n
t
30
C15
C16
B4
C17
C14
f
r
o
n
t
39
40
Port wing skin
Port aileron and wire bracket
C9
C56
41
Starboard wing
C8,13-17,20,40,55
Build as mirror image
of port wing.
39
C40
Fold flap
upright.
38
Aileron shape
in profile.
42
43
44
Attach wings to fuselage
Rudder and hinge posts
Rudder assembly
C22
C21
C18
41
90º
C23
C25
C24
40
37
C39
Attach at right
angle to rudder
surface.
Fit hinge posts
into slots in rudder
then attach C22.
C21 overhangs
C18 as shown.
Optional:
Add support wire from fuselage
to brackets on wings. Use thin
(28AWG / 0.32mm) electrical wire
or silver thread stiffened with glue.
C27
Bend overhanging
edges of rudder skin
to form rounded edge.
C26
linkinst.pdf v1.0 December 2001 © Ralph Currell www.currell.net
Page 5 of 6
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