It’s not often that new material is written about the ol’ Link Trainer. The July issue of “Aeroplane Monthly” has a nice introductory article regarding the Blue Box. It includes some interesting facts, and new graphics depicting the trainer’s vacuum system and associated instruments. Ian Bott, a professional graphics designer in the U.K., researched the subject and created the pictorials. He did a nice job presenting a lot of info in a few column-inches. Check out “Aeroplane Monthly” (July 2020) and read a full-sized version of the article.
I am a member of the Wings of the North aviation Museum at the Flying Cloud Airport in the Minneapolis area of Minnesota. We have a Link Trainer produced, I believe in 1943. The fuselage and base portions are on display in the Museum, but a large percentage of the “innards” of the Trainer are in plastic crates in a back room.
Thank you for all of the documentation you have provided those of us interested in the history and restoration of Link Trainers.
I am currently leading an effort to inventory and assess the condition of what we have here.
Hello This is a superb site. We are in the process of getting our C-3 operating. All parts are there and we are having various parts restored and overhauled. We are missing one of the half ball or spherical “washers” on the mounting rod for our front or pitch bellows. Do you know what this piece is actually called or where we could get one. We are only missing one of the four. Thank you so much. Ben
Thank you for your kind comment on blueboxdriver.com.
The part is called a “Bellows Ball Nut” and is Link part number 8933. It is an extreme case of spherical washer. Most of today’s spherical washers have a maximum useable angle of only 3 to 5 degrees. I do not know of a replacement part that is currently marketed.
You may want to try the folks at the Center for Technology & Innovation, Inc, in Binghamton, NY. Their website is http://www.ctandi.org They have the best selection of old and original parts for the Blue Box. Ask for Gordy. He is only there a day or two a week, but has the best knowledge of their inventory.