LIGHTNING SIMULATOR STANDBY ARTIFICIAL HORIZON
LEADING PARTICULARS
| Stores Ref. No.: | 6DK/470 |
| Manufacturer: | General Precision Systems |
| Manufacturer Part No.: | S99905/A |
| Connection: | 2x 104 Pattern / Plessey Mk. 4, medium body 12-way |
| Attachment: | No.6 UNC screws |
DESCRIPTION
As this indicator was intended for Lightning training flight simulators, its construction is very different to the gyro operated Mk. 6H artificial horizon used in the actual aircraft.
Instead of a gyro and gimbal mechanism (only useful in real flight), the simulator artificial horizon includes DC motors to actuate the moving parts, with position feedback for closed loop control via an external electronic control system.
Visually this indicator is a very close representation of the Ferranti Mk. 6H, with the main noticeable differences being the shape of the power warning flag, and the depth of the "PUSH FOR FAST ERECTION" button.
SIMULATION
ROLL & PITCH DRIVE MOTORS
Both roll and pitch axes utilise two motors each, mechanically geared together at different ratios. This gives each drivetrain one high torque low speed motor, and one low torque high speed motor. All motors have the same part number, and are rated at 100 V DC, 40 mA.
I have not yet found the definitive reason for this double motor arrangement, or the ideal control philosophy for them, but presume that they give the facility to perform high speed motion, with precision control for final movements.
ROLL
Position feedback is provided by a synchro transformer.
PITCH
Position feedback is provided by a precision potentiometer.
REFERENCES
WANTED
Any information on the RAF Lightning simulators made by GPS would be useful to support the development of this indicator.
According to AP 1086, Section 6DK, Lightning flight simulator parts are detailed under AP 2655R Vol. 3 (Lightnings Mk. 2 and 1A), and AP 2655AQ, Vol. 3 (Lightning Mk. 2). I have no information on flight simulator parts for later Mk's of Lightning, but if anyone reading this can help to find relevant sections of AP 2655 it would be much appreciated.