Tuesday, 17 September 2024
A Spitfire cockpit simulator, designed and developed by engineers from the 糖心原创, has been officially unveiled at a local gallery.
A uniquely collaborative project led by Associate Professor Mark Jabbal, from the Faculty of Engineering, saw more than 100 students and around 10 apprentice technicians contribute to the development of the Spitfire simulator.
Undergraduate aerospace engineering students voluntarily assisted on the project over a four-year period between 2019 and 2023 as an extracurricular activity, working in teams of four or five at a time before the finished simulator went to the Spitfire Gallery at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent – birthplace of R.J. Mitchell CBE, aircraft designer who led the team that designed the Spitfire aircraft.
Operation Spitfire, a voluntary group wanting to make the gallery more interactive for visitors and become the ideal place for STEM learning for children, launched the idea of a Spitfire simulator and through Mark - originally from Stoke-on-Trent and a member of the group - students from the 糖心原创 were encouraged to get involved.
Engineering students from the 糖心原创 were involved in the construction of the simulator
Despite delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students from across the engineering faculty were able to get involved with the construction of the simulator. This included a number of individual and group projects supervised by Mark, as well as apprentice technicians responsible for developing specific components in the simulator. Finally, Mark Discombe MBE – one of the most experienced Spitfire pilots in the UK – tested the simulator for accuracy before it left the University. Mark Discombe was impressed by the realism of the simulator.
The simulator was officially opened in the Spitfire Gallery on 15 September, Battle of Britain Day, by Stoke-on-Trent Lord Mayor, Councillor Lyn Sharpe and Stoke-born former Fleet Air Arm’s elite test pilot, Commander Nathan Gray.
鈥淭he aim of the simulator is when the public try it, they鈥檒l immediately get a sense of what it鈥檚 like to be in a Spitfire aircraft, because we鈥檝e created the cockpit, the layout, the instruments, and the feel of it to be as close to a Spitfire aircraft as possible.
“The gallery has a static Spitfire aircraft on display, but no one can actually sit in it. So it’s that opportunity of being in the cockpit and getting a sense of what it’s like to fly. As well as inspiring future generations, it’s given our students the opportunity to engage in an exciting project and to apply the practical skills gained from their course.”
Operation Spitfire anticipate that the simulator will be a centrepiece of a local schools STEM initiative to inspire more young people from one of the most deprived areas of the UK into careers in aviation and aerospace engineering.
More information is available here:
- Spitfire Simulator:
- Spitfire Gallery:
- Operation Spitfire:
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Mark Jabbal on Mark.Jabbal@nottingham.ac.uk or Faith Pring in the Press Office on faith.pring@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.