Link Trainer flight simulator A13-13

An enclosed flight simulator used to train pilots in instrument and blind flying. Trainer number: D-SP 1497, RAAF serial number A13-13. The trainer tail has been repainted and the earlier RAAF serial number 'A13-13' is slightly larger than the current number.

Over 10,000 Link trainers were manufactured during the Second World War and were used by almost every country. Just over 170 were employed by the RAAF for training.

This trainer is serial number D-1497, with A13-13 painted on the tail. According to the aircraft status cards for link trainers (held by the National Archives of Australia), serial number D-1497 should have RAAF number A13-38 and RAAF number A13-13 belongs to serial number D-1153. This discrepancy may be due to repainting at some point during the life of D-1497.

D-1497 was received by the RAAF on 25 June 1941. It was allotted to No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) Parafield, South Australia in August 1941 but not received until June 1942. It was used to train pilots there until May 1944 when the school was transfered to Tamworth. Training ended at 1 EFTS in September 1944 (although it was not officially disbanded until December). A few months later this trainer was allotted to No. 5 Aircraft Depot near Wagga Wagga NSW for a few months before being allotted to 10 EFTS at Temora, NSW where it was used until the end of 1945 and boxed up for disposal. It was sold in 1947 to Kingsford Smith Aviation Service.