Bob & Ron's vintage Link Trainer (aka Blue Box) restoration adventures
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.
Our C-3 pitch and roll bellows needed to be refurbished. They were stiff, leaking vacuum, and barely moving the trainer. This video shows how to bring them back into working order.
We have been working on our aileron valves. The primary problems involve old gummy lubrication which caused them to be stiff, dirty dry linkage, and cracked hoses. We removed the valves, disassembled them, cleaned the old dirt and grease off, then lubricated them with gun oil. We replaced worn and cracked hoses. The aileron valve moves smoothly now.
Check out the Aileron valve section under Restoration hints for more info.
Here is a tinted postcard of the Link Trainer Building at Napier Field, Dothan, Alabama. Napier Field was built as a military base during World War II. The postcard description is ‘ “Learning to fly by not flying” these Cadets and their Instructors are busily engaged in piloting Link Trainers to a successful landing by the use of instruments only.’ It was published by Dothan Cigar & Candy Company.
Notice the light horizontal streaks on the floor? Likely a photo touch-up covering the large cables between the trainer and the instructor’s console.
We removed our Esp’s rudder valve, cleaned and lubricated it. See the “Rudder Valve” section under “Restoration Hints” for details. What a difference. The valve sections were gummy, and now easily move smoothly.