Link Trainer Flight Simulator - Currell.net

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The Link Trainer holds a significant place in aviation history. It was the first true flight simulator, and provided safe training to hundreds of thousands of student pilots during the 1930s and 40s. Using the skills gained working at his father's piano and organ factory, and his own flying experience, Edwin Link designed and built his "pilot trainer" which was patented in 1931. It provided a realistic depiction of flight, and was especially useful in teaching instrument flying. The Link Trainer came into widespread use during the Second World War, with thousands being built for the American, British and Commonwealth air forces. It was a technological marvel at the time of its invention, and its legacy can be seen in modern flight simulators.

The Link Trainer holds a significant place in aviation history. It was the first true flight simulator, and provided safe training to hundreds of thousands of student pilots during the 1930s and 40s. Using the skills gained working at his father's piano and organ factory, and his own flying experience, Edwin Link designed and built his "pilot trainer" which was patented in 1931. It provided a realistic depiction of flight, and was especially useful in teaching instrument flying. The Link Trainer came into widespread use during the Second World War, with thousands being built for the American, British and Commonwealth air forces. It was a technological marvel at the time of its invention, and its legacy can be seen in modern flight simulators.

Information on the Link Trainer from other sites:

Link Trainer - Wikipedia article describing the Link Trainer.

Link Trainer - from YouTube, a short video showing the Trainer in use during WWII.

Information on the Link Trainer from other sites:

Link Trainer - Wikipedia article describing the Link Trainer.

Link Trainer - from YouTube, a short video showing the Trainer in use during WWII.

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Link Trainer Flight Simulator

Illustration of Link Trainer

Photo of Link Trainer model

Skill Level 4/5
For experienced modelers.

This model builds into an accurate and detailed 1/24 scale replica of a World War II-era Link Trainer in US Army Air Corps markings.

You will need a colour printer capable of handling card or cover stock to print the parts sheets. 67 lb cover stock (approx 8.5 thousandths of an inch or 0.2 mm thick) is recommended.

See photos of the finished model.

Brief history and related links.

The model files

linkinst.pdf - 265 KiB - This document contains the instructions only (6 pages).

linkprts.pdf - 3.72 MiB - This document contains the parts for the Link Trainer model (3 pages).

The parts and instructions are in Adobe PDF format. Your web browser may allow you to read and print these files, otherwise you'll need a PDF reader such as Adobe's Acrobat Reader or Foxit Reader.

Last updated on 26 June 2013
Copyright 2001-2013 by Ralph Currell.