Cyclorama

Thanks once again Ross

I will need to spend a couple of days (time permitting) reading through and pulling all the information together.

I am sure other questions will crop up ….

Regards

Pete

The visual Link (with upper Biplane Wing attached) was very short lived and when night flying became an established norm of operational training most were returned to D1 standard as this was where they were most needed.

Interestingly the locked controls method of first solo continued as the main teaching method of actual flight on the primary glider.

For info this is the list of synthetic training devices in both current RAF use (Jan 1944) and historically from 1941 split into aircrew groups

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[ATTACH=CONFIG]236696[/ATTACH]

Ross

Ross

I will follow up on the information that you provided in your last post; thanks for spending the time on this matter.

There are a number of articles about the “Visual Link” (one as early as 1940) http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1940/1940%20-%200278.html?search=Visual%20Link.

My search started as a follow up to an article I read about theatre staff / lighting engineers being unemployed due to the closure of theatres; some were given the job of painting cycloramas for the Air Minstry so I was keen to find out where and to find some examples of their work.

Regards

Pete

Sounds like a confusion of several different approaches.

Link Trainers of both the wartime and post war were designed for blind flying and radio range training. The hood (lift up for the early ANT/D1 and slide forward for the late ANT/D2) prevented vision out of the trainer causing reliance on the instrument displays.

To put a Link in the Torpedo Trainer would mean removal of the hood, returning visual horizon methods of reference. As the Link could not advance towards the painted scenery then no part of the approach to target could be simulated unless the target departed from the scenery and advanced towards the link, growing in size to give the picture from 50′ above sea level and 1000 yards range which was the typical torpedo release point.

The Link Crew Trainer was designed to use external reference but this was star positions simulated by point lights of various brightness on a lattice frame work in a darkened bowl.

Projection methods were normally Navigation, astro, gunnery (10ft vertical bowl screen) and bombing simulation (AML Type) training but in conjunction to platforms and turrets rather than with Link ANT/D1 types.

Crew Procedure Trainers also used periodic projection via epidiascope of flak bursts, position pinpoints, targets etc for logging during the simulation but the crew sat in cubicles rather than the Link.

An expanded version of the Crew Procedure Trainer was used by Coastal Command but this included the Tactical Floor as a large scale terrain/seascape model rather than projection targets.

A variety of stationary table/box simulators were used for DF Loop C100, DR Navigation Training, Harwell Box (W/T), Clift Navigation Trainer etc.

Recognition trainers were where the stationary target model was presented at various angles and ranges from a seated position. The model was presented in a box of painted scenery mounted above the seated trainee and range was simulated by moving a mirror away from the display/recognition position (Hunt Trainer).

Moving target devices were of two main types, the panoramic trainer shown before and Hawarden type where interception methods were simulated against painted backdrops.

The other main use of Link as opposed to instrument/navigation training was Fisher/Edmondes add on devices to project a light from the front face of the Link, This was in response to a fixed size target moving on a circular track around the Link. The simulation was for deflection shooting where the facing of the link would give a projected light position ahead of the target which could be equated to the amount of lead/deflection that the trainee was giving the target. An instructor would visually assess the distance of light spot ahead of target model and say if a hit would have occurred.

All part of the ad hoc devices that were produced almost on a station by station basis using what device they had been issued with and what was to hand (the Hawarden Trainer used two Meccano 6 volt motors and a brass curtain rail).

Ross

Thanks again Ross

A bit more digging around suggests that there was a Link Trainer enclosed within a cyclorama which was used for pilot assessment during the Aviation Candidates Selection Board. These appeared to be painted scenes as opposed to screen projections.

I am not sure when these were introduced at the ACSBs (possibly post war; a 1947 Flight Global article makes reference to them).

I am now wondering if there were other types, other than the three mentioned so far; I am guessing that the pamphlet you quoted from may provide the answers.

Regards

Pete

No special building it’s a standard hangar.

To be specific a Bellman from the portal lattice

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20121026065214/www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/80BF05BD-926E-40D3-9BD4-750FBF9CF556/0/fs16.pdf

Ross

Ross

Thanks again; your help is much appreciated.

I will see if I can get hold of a copy of the pamphlet you mention (I know TNA have a copy) and see if I can find any more information on the Panorama Trainer; I assume that there was a specific building type that housed the set up

The joys of research ….

Regards

Pete

Sorry the period photos are from “Illustrated Catalogue of Synthetic Training Devices” by Directorate of Operational Training 1942.

No locations are given for any of the devices but I suggest that they would be normally found on B&GS and OTUs using maintenance airframes found locally.

Ross

Thanks Ross

Do you know where the photographs were taken and (just to satisfy my curiosity) what airfields had these facilities?

Regards

Pete

Ok this is the Panorama Trainer. The Blenheim was on castors and could be replaced by any of the instructional turret rigs.

Note the ship models on the floor.

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The enemy aircraft ran on an overhead oval to give a changing aspect and range.

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As far as I remember the FAA version used a curved surface to clean up the visual of the interface between floor and wall and this was the painted plaster bowl shape. The horizon was a line painted on the cylindrical wall and there are overhead rails above which I assumed were for lighting rigs but they are similar to the oval target track of the panorama trainer.

Found a link to some recent photos of the Torpedo Trainer remains at Crail

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cycleologist/sets/72157623382190310/

Ross

Used Crail for Scottish Championship Rallies.

The Torpedo Trainer was plaster bowl painted scenery. Still present in the late 80s.

The equivalemt RAF device was the Panorama Trainer which had painted canvas backdrop and stationary Blenheim in the centre. Used for turret training.

Got a period photo of the Panorama Trainer – will dig it out and post later.

Ross