Greetings from Ashburton, New Zealand.

[ZL2AYQ]

I am a member of the aviation museum at Ashburton NZ where we have a project to build a fully operational, modernised, version of the famous Link Trainer,  we do have original Link Trainers but these are not operating and we want something that visitors can experience without incurring wear and tear on 80 year old exhibits.

Our new machine is similar size and appearance to the originals but it is all electromechanical, servos, steppers etc.  The internal display is a VDU.  We have movement in heading (360 degrees), pitch and roll.

 

 

[ZL2AYQ]

Progress on my project so far...

We have built the cockpit, mostly plywood and MDF and of course it is painted blue,  the wings and tail bits are silver(ish).  The base is a steel frame fitted with machinery to support and rotate the cockpit.  

The vertical shaft is recycled from a tractor drive shaft with a universal joint at the top.  The shaft is supported by a radar antenna rotator from a wrecked ship.  The rotator is driven by a stepper motor and attached worm reduction.  I have slip rings to take mains power up to the cockpit.  The motor is controlled via an ESP32 card and WiFi.

...to be continued

[charliearon]

Keep us up to date on the progress!  Pics would be nice!

[ZL2AYQ]

The foundation of our Link Trainer re-creation.

 

[ZL2AYQ]

The cockpit frame being tested!   

[ZL2AYQ]

Progress on cockpit frame and coverings..

 

[ZL2AYQ]

Trial fit of control column,  we may use this or a joystick...time will tell.

 

[ZL2AYQ]

Just about ready to leave the wood shop!

[ZL2AYQ]

Hmmm....  I hope this is not a lead balloon.........

[ZL2AYQ]

We have made a lot of progress since these pictures were taken but I am unsure if posting them would be worthwhile.

[Zedkay Moo]

Wait!...  There's an aviation museum in Ashburton?  How did I not know that?!

I'm a North Islander, but I was down in Ashburton for work a couple of years ago and I visited the Ashburton Volunteer Fire Brigade's museum, which is sensational.  I was working for Fire and Emergency NZ at the time, so I spent a few hours doing some training at the Ashburton Fire Station, then visited the brigade's museum before travelling on to the next town.

I would have made time to visit the aviation museum as well, had I known about it.  Better luck next time!

How's the project coming along?

[ZL2AYQ]

Hi Z, I was beginning to think this site had karked,  meanwhile take a look at https://www.aviationmuseum.co.nz/  

John