This is a fully restored Link Trainer that was restored by Boeing volunteers
in 1994. The plaque reads:
Instrument Flight Trainer
Manufactured by Link
Also known as: "Pilot Maker" and "Blue Box"
Used for flight training from the 1940's until
the early 1960's.
Restored by the Boeing Company in 1994
Dedicated To:
Continuing Advances in Flight Simulation
Technology
This is a shot of the Link Trainer cockpit. As you can see, it's
pretty sparse in there.
...and the expected exterior shot.
You can see from the image that all the controls are fully articulated.
I'm not exactly sure *why* since there is little or no training
value, but you have to admit, is is pretty neat.
You'll notice a little black circle at the bottom of the fuselage in
line with the leading edge of the horizontal stabilizer. This is
marked "Wind Speed" and is graded from 0 to 160 MPH in increments of
10. This may have been used to adjust the tension on the flight controls,
but there wasn't anyone present that knew anything about it.
The simulator sits on a base that will allow it to rotate a full 360
degrees, or so it appears. This may have been done to simplify the
system design by allowing the use of a real compass, but again since there
wasn't a "Link Expert" on hand, it will have to remain a
mystery until one of you readers points out the errors.
One detail you can't see here is that the entire "airframe" is covered
in fabric. They've done a wonderful job and it looks just like it
must have when brand new. Kudos to Boeing for preserving a critical
element in the early years of flight simulation.