Link Aviation Devices Inc. delivered our Blue Box, Navy Model Esp, S/N 376 to Charleston Naval Base, South Carolina on July 2, 1942. Charleston Naval Base provided defense for the United States from 1901 until it closed in 1996. It started out as a Navy ship reconstruction port with a dry dock. After the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Charleston Navy Yard supported the World War II effort with construction, ship repair, and training of US military forces. Thousands of soldiers, sailors and airmen passed through Charleston Navy Yard in preparation for war. This Blue Box was used to train instrument flying to airmen throughout World War II and afterward.
The “Esp”, or “E” Special was developed by Link especially for the military market. It was widely used by the Army Air Corps and the Navy. Our instrument panel is laid out in Navy configuration and includes the ILS indicator.
We believe that this Blue Box was subsequently used for training at Naval Station Great Lakes located north of Chicago. Subsequently it was acquired by Dan and was moved to his home in Isen, Kentucky.
Bob and Ron acquired this Blue Box in September 2016. Restoration efforts are currently under way.