Tag: Blue Box

Flash! … You heard it here first

                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.

“Aeroplane Monthly” (July 2020); Link Trainer article

Why replace a hose when you can splice it?

Broken hose splice.

We ran across this unique hose splice while replacing some old brittle hoses on the ANT-18.  Here is the hose we found connecting the roll valve to the East roll bellows.  It separated at the splice.  It had been repaired in a former life with a socket used as a hose connector.  Too funny.

Socket splice.

Leather Nuts!

We received a good restoration hint from Charles who is rebuilding a turning motor for the Bayport Aerodrome, New York.  He normally works on player pianos.  He recommends replacing old leather nuts with plastic ones.  Charles says that leather nuts supplied today are full of acid and he has had steel threaded rods destroyed in less than 10 years by them.  He recommends plastic nuts with a ¼” hex head which look something like a leather nut. 

Alathon Nuts sold by Klann Organ

They are available from Klann Organ Supply,  www.klannorgan.com .  They have a #50 center hole and will go on to most small threads.  They tend to crack if the thread is too big so it is best to drill out the center hole to about 0.010” under the outside diameter of the threads you are going on to.  #50 = 0.070”.  A tip of the hat to Charles. 

Elevator valve cleanup, lube, & new hoses

Elevator valve is cleaned up, lubricated, and ready for reinstallation.

Our Esp’s Elevator Valve was so old and dirty that the top and bottom sections were “stuck” together. We cleaned it up, lubricated it with gun oil, and connected it to the pitch bellows with new 5/8″ vacuum hoses.

This video shows the elevator valve refurbishing, and describes its operation.