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A Personal Recollection
of Concorde
We are delighted to include this photograph and personal recollection of Concorde written by Gary Theobald of Windsor.
© G Theobald, Windsor
'Corcor'
(My son Robert's word for the world's most beautiful aircraft)
(My son Robert's word for the world's most beautiful aircraft)
Having lived in Windsor for six and a half
years we became very used to Concorde flying over at least twice
a day and we always stopped to watch her flying over our house
whether landing or taking off.
When BA announced that she would be 'retired'
in October 2003, I promised myself that we would make the short
trip to Heathrow to see her take off at close hand.
It was a lovely autumn day on Saturday 18th and we
decided to make the most of the fine weather. As the aircraft
were approaching from the west, we decided we would have
to make do with just seeing her land.
Myself, my partner Carolyn and our 2 toddlers Peter
(3) and Robert (2) were surprised to see hundreds of other fans
in whatever vantage point they could get around Stanwell
Moor Road at the end of the runway. At 17:35 we were treated
to a magnificent sight as she approached from out of
the blue sky.
There must have been many rolls of film used that
evening as we all got a front row seat of the beautiful lady
herself.
We all enjoyed witnessing the landing and I realised
that I had never actually seen touch down before. Both our
boys enjoyed seeing her at close proximity but I don't think
that they really appreciated that it was the same object
of beauty that they always stopped to watch flying over the back
of our house.
As we were about to leave to go home, a chap standing
next to us said, "Right, it's off to Hatton Cross to see
the take off for JFK now!" We couldn't resist and although
we were not too sure of the best vantage point, we had to go
with the hordes.
It was not too hard to work out where at Hatton Cross
was the best place for the take off as there were even more people
there with cars parked on almost every bit of grass verge. We
parked too and waited, although 'she' was delayed by an hour,
it was well worth the long, cold wait to see her lift off into
the dark sky with her afterburners ablaze.
What a fantastic sight and one to be savoured forever.
One of my biggest regrets will remain that we
never managed to find the money to fly in her and I will
always be envious of my parents who were lucky enough to experience
a Christmas Champagne flight in her.
She is already sorely missed.
Gary Theobald
13th October 2003
Earlier Concorde
News
30th October
2003
Concorde retirement
homes announced
British Airways today announced
the locations where it intends to retire its fleet of Concordes
after commercial services ended at London Heathrow last Friday
afternoon.
Final negotiations are under way to house the
seven Concordes in the British Airways' fleet at the following
locations:
- Airbus UK, Filton, Bristol [Update: G-BOAF arrived 26th November
2003]
- Manchester Airport [Update: G-BOAC arrived 31st October 2003]
- Museum of Flight, near Edinburgh [Update: G-BOAA arrived by road/sea
April 2004]
- Heathrow Airport [Update: G-BOAB to be displayed by Terminal 5.
2007 is on display near NE corner of Heathrow Airport]
- The Museum of Flight, Seattle, US [Update: G-BOAG arrived 5th November
2003]
- The Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum,
New York, US [Update:
G-BOAD arrived 10th November 2003 and moved to Intrepid towards
the end of November]
- Grantley Adams Airport, Bridgetown, Barbados
[Update: G-BOAE arrived
17th November 2003]
- Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey [Update: G-BBDG partially dismantled
and moved from Filton, Bristol by road, May 2004. Now reconstructed
with an on board exhibition plus Concorde cabin with seating
where visitors watch an exciting video about flying aboard the
aircraft and with great shots of her in flight. The Concorde
Experience' is available for a small additional charge to the
admission charge at Brooklands, Weybridge. NB Book your 'flight'
early in the day as places are limited and you may well miss
out if you leave it too late!]
British Airways' chief executive Rod Eddington
said: "Since we announced the retirement of Concorde we
have received a wide variety of interesting proposals from organisations
wanting to give the aircraft permanent homes.
"We have chosen the final homes based
a number of criteria: their ability to properly exhibit and preserve
the aircraft, their geographical location and accessibility to
the public.
"We are working closely with each of the
new homes to make sure they show off each Concorde at her best."
A technical feasibility study, headed by Captain
Mike Bannister, Concorde chief pilot, as to whether a single
Concorde can be maintained for non-commercial flying at public
events, has been concluded.
Rod Eddington said: "A detailed study
with Airbus has regrettably led us both to conclude that it would
not be possible.
"The technical and financial challenges
of keeping a Concorde airworthy are absolutely prohibitive. Airbus
has told us that they are unable to support such a project, whether
it be for British Airways or anyone else.
"While there is no prospect of operating
an aircraft for flypasts and airshows, in the future Concorde
will be accessible to the public with the majority of aircraft
located in the UK."
British Airways also announced today that it
will be holding an auction of Concorde memorabilia on Monday,
December 1. The auction, will be conducted by fine art auctioneers
Bonhams, at Olympia Exhibition centre, in Kensington, and items
will include a machmeter, a nose cone and Concorde pilot and
passenger seats.
Profits from the auction will go to charity,
with a key beneficiary being 'Get Kids Going!', a charity which
gives disabled children and young people the opportunity to participate
in sport.
24th October 2003
Concorde operations ceased
Despite much publicity
from the British Airports Authority suggesting that the public
should watch the event on television, thousands of loyal Concorde
supporters and enthusiasts came to Heathrow Airport to witness
the last day of commercial supersonic flight.
The day began for some at 6.00am when a radio
station was expected to broadcast throughout the day from The
Green Man PH, Bedfont. In the past weeks the pub had become a
regular haunt for Concorde spotters as it was so close to one
of their favourite viewing points at Hatton Cross.
The first take-off of the day was in the morning
when a flight departed for Edinburgh, the last destination of
the UK Farewell Tour. In the early afternoon a second take-off
marked the very last passenger departure from Heathrow by a supersonic
Concorde airliner.
At 4.00pm these two aircraft returned
to Heathrow as the first and second landings of the planned celebratory
triple landing. The final landing of a passenger carrying Concorde
followed just a couple of minutes later.
It is rare for any technological advance
to be scrapped and not replaced by something similar, or better,
or faster, yet Concorde falls into this category. Aviation has
taken a giant step backwards, preferring to concentrate on the
bulk transportation of people in ever larger aircraft at subsonic
speeds. It is unlikely that supersonic travel will be an option
again for, perhaps, 50 years or more.
There are a number of reasons for this. The first
must of course be cost. The cost of the aircraft design, subsequent
testing and development and final production. In addition the
actual cost of each ticket is a major consideration once in service.
Another reason for the non-appearance of a successor
to Concorde has been the world situation with political uncertainty
from time to time depressing air travel as well as economic uncertainty,
not least the cost of oil and hence fuel.
In 2003 this has been further complicated by the
Americans desire to boycott anything French following France's
refusal to back the American and British invasion of Iraq. This
resulted in French Concorde operations ceasing almost overnight,
and Airbus, the aircraft's sole source of spares support and
back-up, pulling the plug on the aircraft also, despite the major
investment made by both BA and Air France following the Paris
crash, which, it must be said, was NOT directly attributable
to the aircraft itself. Concorde, despite her technological
complexity, was to prove one of the safest aircraft ever to fly.
Nonetheless, the withdrawal of French support left British Airways
high and dry with no option but to cease Concorde operations
too, although it is very likely that the accelerated withdrawal
was not how they really wanted to play it, especially as bookings
through the winter to Barbados were holding up reasonably well,
and certainly at a profitable level. But without manufacturer
support, Concorde flights were doomed.
Concorde's demise has led to a surprising reaction
from the public. Whereas in the 1970s there was much opposition
to the plane, the noise, the pollution, the elitist image, this
has, in the main, given way to a demonstration of affection,
in particular an admiration for her stunningly beautiful lines.
If hundreds of Concordes were roaring overhead every
day, then public opinion would not have been so kind, but as
a rare and beautiful bird, the public loved her and mourn her
passing. That rare bird will never be seen in the skies again.
Whether this is a loss or a gain, I will leave it to you to decide
with the help of some of the videos
available on this page!
21st October 2003
$60,300 winning bid for two seats on the last flight of all!
Two Concorde tickets, JFK-LHR
24th October 2003, were auctioned by Ebay this week. Not only
were the tickets up for auction, but a bundle of extra goodies
before and after the flight to make the trip a true lifetime
experience.
The auction ended
Oct-20-03 09:00:36 Pacific Daylight Time.
Lot number: 2196572420
Winning Bid: US $60,300.00
History: 69 bids (US $25,000.00 starting bid)
Winning bidder: David I Hayes
23rd October 2003
The Round Tower,
Windsor Castle, illuminated in Salute to Concorde
Following my request to
the superintendent of Windsor Castle, Major Denman, HM The Queen
graciously consented to the illumination of The Round Tower at
Windsor Castle on the occasion of the final commercial departure
of Concorde BA001 from London Heathrow to John F Kennedy Airport,
New York on 23rd October. The flight departed at 7.20pm to the
east, then turned to pass by Windsor to the south where crew
and passengers should have had a good view of the salute.
I am immensely proud that here in Windsor
one of the most famous of all British landmarks could salute
this classic aircraft as she departed Heathrow for her last commercial
flight.
Not only was Concorde herself honoured,
but all those who were involved in her conception, design, construction
and subsequent operation over the last 47 years.
The Round Tower was floodlit from 18.00 until 20.15.
The significance of this salute cannot be underestimated.
The floodlighting of Windsor Castle was a rare occurrence at
that time, only permitted for major state events or during the
Royal Windsor Horse Show. The illumination for Concorde's departure
on 23rd October symbolised the great affection that so many of
the public at large felt for the aircraft and formed a more than
fitting farewell as she passed over Windsor for the last time
in commercial service.
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Despite much publicity
from the British Airports Authority suggesting that the public
should watch the event on television, thousands of loyal Concorde
supporters and enthusiasts came to Heathrow Airport to witness
the last day of commercial supersonic flight.
The day began for some at 6.00am when a radio
station was expected to broadcast throughout the day from The
Green Man PH, Bedfont. In the past weeks the pub had become a
regular haunt for Concorde spotters as it was so close to one
of their favourite viewing points at Hatton Cross.
The first take-off of the day was in the morning
when a flight departed for Edinburgh, the last destination of
the UK Farewell Tour. In the early afternoon a second take-off
marked the very last passenger departure from Heathrow by a supersonic
Concorde airliner.
At 4.00pm these two aircraft returned
to Heathrow as the first and second landings of the planned celebratory
triple landing. The final landing of a passenger carrying Concorde
followed just a couple of minutes later.
It is rare for any technological advance
to be scrapped and not replaced by something similar, or better,
or faster, yet Concorde falls into this category. Aviation has
taken a giant step backwards, preferring to concentrate on the
bulk transportation of people in ever larger aircraft at subsonic
speeds. It is unlikely that supersonic travel will be an option
again for, perhaps, 50 years or more.
There are a number of reasons for this. The first
must of course be cost. The cost of the aircraft design, subsequent
testing and development and final production. In addition the
actual cost of each ticket is a major consideration once in service.
Another reason for the non-appearance of a successor
to Concorde has been the world situation with political uncertainty
from time to time depressing air travel as well as economic uncertainty,
not least the cost of oil and hence fuel.
In 2003 this has been further complicated by the
Americans desire to boycott anything French following France's
refusal to back the American and British invasion of Iraq. This
resulted in French Concorde operations ceasing almost overnight,
and Airbus, the aircraft's sole source of spares support and
back-up, pulling the plug on the aircraft also, despite the major
investment made by both BA and Air France following the Paris
crash, which, it must be said, was NOT directly attributable
to the aircraft itself. Concorde, despite her technological
complexity, was to prove one of the safest aircraft ever to fly.
Nonetheless, the withdrawal of French support left British Airways
high and dry with no option but to cease Concorde operations
too, although it is very likely that the accelerated withdrawal
was not how they really wanted to play it, especially as bookings
through the winter to Barbados were holding up reasonably well,
and certainly at a profitable level. But without manufacturer
support, Concorde flights were doomed.
Concorde's demise has led to a surprising reaction
from the public. Whereas in the 1970s there was much opposition
to the plane, the noise, the pollution, the elitist image, this
has, in the main, given way to a demonstration of affection,
in particular an admiration for her stunningly beautiful lines.
If hundreds of Concordes were roaring overhead every
day, then public opinion would not have been so kind, but as
a rare and beautiful bird, the public loved her and mourn her
passing. That rare bird will never be seen in the skies again.
Whether this is a loss or a gain, I will leave it to you to decide
with the help of some of the videos
available on this page!
21st October 2003
$60,300 winning bid for two seats on the last flight of all!
Two Concorde tickets, JFK-LHR
24th October 2003, were auctioned by Ebay this week. Not only
were the tickets up for auction, but a bundle of extra goodies
before and after the flight to make the trip a true lifetime
experience.
The auction ended
Oct-20-03 09:00:36 Pacific Daylight Time.
Lot number: 2196572420
Winning Bid: US $60,300.00
History: 69 bids (US $25,000.00 starting bid)
Winning bidder: David I Hayes
23rd October 2003
The Round Tower,
Windsor Castle, illuminated in Salute to Concorde
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Following my request to
the superintendent of Windsor Castle, Major Denman, HM The Queen
graciously consented to the illumination of The Round Tower at
Windsor Castle on the occasion of the final commercial departure
of Concorde BA001 from London Heathrow to John F Kennedy Airport,
New York on 23rd October. The flight departed at 7.20pm to the
east, then turned to pass by Windsor to the south where crew
and passengers should have had a good view of the salute.
I am immensely proud that here in Windsor
one of the most famous of all British landmarks could salute
this classic aircraft as she departed Heathrow for her last commercial
flight.
Not only was Concorde herself honoured,
but all those who were involved in her conception, design, construction
and subsequent operation over the last 47 years.
The Round Tower was floodlit from 18.00 until 20.15.
The significance of this salute cannot be underestimated.
The floodlighting of Windsor Castle was a rare occurrence at
that time, only permitted for major state events or during the
Royal Windsor Horse Show. The illumination for Concorde's departure
on 23rd October symbolised the great affection that so many of
the public at large felt for the aircraft and formed a more than
fitting farewell as she passed over Windsor for the last time
in commercial service.
A Windsorian's
View
23rd June 2003
Supersonic commercial flight began on 21st January 1976. The following article was published before it was known that Concorde was to re-enter service in November 2001 and to be finally withdrawn in October 2003. Updates elsewhere on this page summarise events since this article was written, running up to Concorde's withdrawal from service.
Many Windsorians have close
connections with Heathrow Airport, London, and most will still
admit to casting an eye upward to watch Concorde as it passed
overhead, before, that is, it was withdrawn from service following
the Paris disaster in the summer of 2000.
The aircraft must be unique in so many ways, but
not least because it is always referred to as if there were only
one. "Concorde is coming", goes the cry, not "A
Concorde is coming..." a 747, yes, a VC10,
a Tristar (L-1011 to the Americans), even a Hurricane
or a Spitfiure, but not 'Concorde', it is Concorde, pure
and simple, the one and only, stunningly beautiful, Concorde!
She is addressed as if a friend, and always with great affection!
The crash in Paris came as a major shock. All air
crashes are horrific, but the loss of the first Concorde and
its passengers and crew had an extra dimension. The aircraft
seemed to be leading a charmed life up to that moment, ever since
its first commercial flight an astonishing 25 years ago this
week.
On 21st January 1976, two Concordes took off simultaneously
from London and Paris, the British Airways aircraft departing
for Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf, and Air France flying to Rio
de Janeiro via Dakar. The event was broadcast live on both radio
and television, with split screen images of both aircraft leaving
the ground at the same moment. Well, it was claimed to be the
same moment as it could not be seen that the British were the
ahead of the French into the supersonic passenger era, but to
my eyes the BA Concorde pipped the French by leaving the ground
first!!
Some years earlier, during development and trials
of the Anglo-French project, a diplomatic 'e' had been added
to 'concord' to reflect the French participation!
On the day of the inaugural flights, residents in
Windsor were to be seen in their gardens and stopping in the
streets to watch as Concorde flew over. It was an emotional moment.
Despite the raging arguments over cost, the threat of cancellation
by Prime Minister Wilson, its noise and its elitist image, Concorde
was British (with a little help from the French!) and we were
proud of her. That pride remains to this day for
many Windsorians and it is for this reason that the Paris crash
had an added sense of tragedy.
I am aware that some think less highly of Concorde.
The operation of supersonic aircraft is believed by some to be
totally unacceptable. The air fare is prohibitive for most, the
noise, though reduced, is still far higher than other commercial
jets, and, from an ecological point of view, its fuel consumption
is excessive as is the resultant pollution, but hey, what the
heck, its ours and many of us remain proud, if only because the
aircraft remains a stunningly beautiful piece of sculpture, supreme
technical expertise and craftsmanship.
Diary Notes, September
2003
British Airways Concorde
operations from Heathrow, London, ceased permanently in October
2003. Air France took their aircraft out of service on May 31st
2003. So ends an era that started in 1956 when on 5th November
of that year the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee (STAC)
was established to study the possibility of building a supersonic
airliner.
Public reaction to the news that Concorde was to
be withdrawn from service was, almost without exception, one
of dismay and great sadness. No other aircraft had enjoyed such
public affection or generated such a reaction on such a scale.
Everyone I talked to at the time expressed a great fondness for
the plane, and admitted to always looking up and watching as
she passed overhead, even after over a quarter of a century of
service.
Another passing that was similarly sadly received
was the decommissioning of the Royal Yacht 'Britannia'. Regardless
of the ship's royal connections, she was admired worldwide and
a valuable ambassador for the UK, a role that Concorde had also
performed with great aplomb! Also, the public at large may have
felt a similar reaction when the great liners such as the 'Queen
Elizabeth' and the 'Queen Mary' were withdrawn from service.
Stories abound about Concorde's affect on the public as
she comes into view, my two favourites being how some protesters
at New York, campaigning against the noise of the supersonic
aircraft, dropped their banners and cheered as the aircraft came
in to land! More recently, at an international cricket match
in London, Concorde was spotted as it made its way to Heathrow
and almost all the spectators rose to their feet and cheered
as the plane passed overhead! (Source: Channel Four TV)
Concorde attracted great interest and affection,
and this is testimony to her remarkable appeal. It is unlikely
that we shall ever see the like again.
Farewell tour
of UK
Ear plugs essential as she passes overhead at just 100 feet!
[Location: Spout Lane, Stanwell Moor]
British Airways planned a Farewell Tour
of the UK in the last week of operations. Concorde left London
Heathrow each weekday from October 20th to visit 5 major UK cities.
These were Birmingham (20th October), Belfast (21st October),
Manchester (22nd October), Cardiff (23rd October), and Edinburgh
(24th October). Departure from Heathrow was scheduled for 10.00am
and take off about 20-30minutes later.
On Saturday, 18th October, there was a BBC TV Concorde
special on Timewatch, on BBC2.
The Last Day
October 24th 2003
October 24th 2003
The UK tour ended with three aircraft flying on the last day. One made a trip to Edinburgh and back, the second made a flight over the Bay of Biscay, and the third undertook the last BA002 service from New York. These three flights made consecutive landings at Heathrow at the end of the day, just after 4.00pm, with the New York service being the last to land.
And that was it... Supersonic passenger flight is now a thing of the past.
Thanks Concorde, you are a star!
An incident over
the Atlantic
Some stories about Concorde
are a little scary, especially when something goes wrong! As Concorde
cruises at around 55,000 feet, any problem at that altitude where
a chance of decompression exists requires the flight crew to
lose height fast. The best way to do that is to throw the aircraft
onto its side and point it downwards! On one occasion, on a flight
from New York to London, one of the engines failed with a bang.
The square air ducts ahead of each engine feature variable geometry
vanes. These reduce the speed of the air from 1400 mph to around
350mph as it enters the engine itself. Apparently, on this occasion
the vanes somehow slammed shut, starving the engine of air and
causing the massive volumes of fuel being pumped in to explode.
The flight crew instantly initiated the emergency routine, diving
to a more life sustaining height of about 20,000 feet before
looking more carefully into the problem. Picture this... a huge
bang, Concorde lurches onto its side and descends earthwards
at great speed! Apparently a well-known pop star onboard at the
time had to cancel some concerts subsequently as he was suffering
from 'stress'! Not surprised!
But all was well in the end, the aircraft diverting
to Shannon and the passengers travelling on to London in a more
conventional aircraft.
Witnessing a take-off
the setting sun reflecting on her underside.
(With grateful thanks to Colin Bovingdon for providing this photo)
On 16th September 2003, I took my children
to see Concorde take off at Heathrow. The experience, in short,
was phenomenal! We stood with a group of other spectators
directly at the end of the southern runway on the western side
of the airport nearby to the massed tower cranes currently constructing
Terminal Five.
At 6.55pm an onlooker saw that Concorde was lining
up at the far end of the runway. My younger son was hoisted upon
my shoulders and with a warning to "cover your ears!"
we heard the aircraft's approaching rumble which soon grew to
a low roar. And then the unforgettable image of this great delta
wing rearing up directly in front of us from above the bushes.
With the sun low in the west glowing orange and reflecting on
the underside of Concorde, and the great roar as she past hardly
100 feet above us at over 250mph, the sensation was indeed phenomenal.
The ground shook and the noise was probably the loudest I had
ever experienced.Turning to follow her, the re-heat of the four
engines was clearly visible as she slowly climbed.
Wait for the wind! After a few moments we
could feel a breeze blowing past. This is the turbulent wake
that Concorde leaves behind her and is created by the great delta
wing. Then a moment later we saw the re-heat turned off as Concorde
reduced power to pass more quietly over the nearby residential
areas. The re-heat is turned on again for a few minutes over
the Bristol Channel as Concorde climbs and accelerates to supersonic
speed.
It is not only curious visitors and aircraft aficionados
that line the areas around the end of the runway to witness this
exciting event! British Airways crews themselves were to been
seen stopping their crew buses to watch Concorde roar overhead!
at the end of runway 28L
My children and I made the trip to Heathrow many times to watch
both landings and take-offs and continued to do so until the
very last flight. For those who have even only the slightest
interest in aircraft, it was a remarkable experience. To witness
such a unique technical achievement and the drama of a take-off
just a few feet above your head, really was breathtaking!!!
Where
and when to watch
As Concorde will never
fly again, this article is retained here by way of record only.
As Concorde will never fly again, this article is retained here by way of record only.
In the final of week of operation all Concorde
departures and landings will attract significant crowds, culminating
in a triple landing at some point between 3.30pm and 4.00pm on
October 24th when three Concordes will land one after the other
at Heathrow by way of a final farewell. One will be returning
from a farewell stop in Edinburgh, a second will be returning
from a trip out to the Bay of Biscay and the last aircraft to
land will be the final service BA002 from New York.
You will get a good idea which area of the airport
to aim for by looking out for other aircraft departures as you
get close the Heathrow. Once at the airport, look out for the
crowds! In our view anywhere close to the end of the departure
runway is good, but if you can be right under Concorde as she
flies out, so much the better! Take ear plugs, or at least a
damp tissue which makes a good substitute! Allow a good 15 minutes
before scheduled departure but if you really want to 'cut it
fine' Concorde is very unlikely to take-off within 10 minutes
of the scheduled time due to taxiing and other aircraft departures.
The departure time of the New York service BA001 is scheduled
as 6.30pm, and the actual take-off can be anytime from 6.40pm
onwards.
Feel free to ask anyone with an airband radio
what the latest news of departure is. You will find them all
very friendly and keen to make sure you are kept informed. The
ConcordeSST web site also has all sorts of Concorde news and
information plus a lively forum too.
Although Concorde normally departs for New York 7 days a week
at 6.30pm, there are certain dates in October when this service
does not operate as the aircraft are involved in farewell visits
in America. the concordesst web site has full details.
Concordes in Museums
The Imperial War Museum at Duxford,
just south of Cambridge, to the north-east of London features
around 180 historic aircraft. One of the most popular exhibits
is Concorde 101, G-AXDN, the third Concorde to be built of the
original batch of four test aircraft. Following its test flight
programme, Concorde 101 was retired to Duxford, flying there
under her own steam(!) in August 1977. Duxford Concorde web page
Our visit was made on September 13th 2003 with my
eight year old son. The glorious sunshine of the late summer
was definitely welcome as there is a lot of walking to do! There
are a number of hangars, some original World War One listed buildings,
although one gap is the result of a deliberate blowing up of
one of these hangars for the film 'The Battle of Britain'. There
are three newly built hangars, one featuring British aircraft,
including Concorde and illustrated below, another featuring American
aircraft including a DC3, a B52, a U2 and a 'Blackbird'. The
third hangar is given over to displays of ground equipment, guns
and vehicles from the First and Second World Wars.
Yeovil. BAC Concorde G-BSST (Prototype 002) is now on permanent display at the Royal Naval Air Station, Yeovilton, Somerset, on behalf of Science Museum. Yeovilton Web page.
Manston, Kent? The BBC reported earlier in the year that Concorde may find a home at Manston Airport's museum in Kent. Although discussions with British Airways had taken place, the famous aircraft will not now be displayed at Manston. [Editor: This did not materialise]
A Concorde for Yorkshire? British Airways announced that the Yorkshire Air Museum was on a shortlist of locations to receive one of their retiring Concorde supersonic airliners but at the end of the day the museum was unlucky.
Germany. Air France Concorde F-BVFB, has been sold for one symbolic euro to the Auto und Technik Museum in Sinsheim, Germany. The aircraft was partially dismantled and taken by road, then by river, then road once more to the museum where it is due to be on display beside its Russian lookalike, the Tupolev 144.
Linked below are a series of remarkable photos of Concorde travelling by river in Germany to a museum. [Needs IE Explorer 5] Click the blue dots on the map link below, then [zurück] or [weiter] to see next or previous pictures.
Will Concorde ever fly again?
The possibility of a flying 'Heritage' aircraft, available for airshows and special events, was the subject of much speculation amongst Concorde enthusiasts. However Airbus Industrie have no desire to assist with maintaining an airworthy Concorde, and as their support is essential for this possibility to become a reality, we will never see a Concorde in the air again.
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It has to be said that, although the day at Duxford was excellent value - children go in for free! - the magnificence of some of the old aircraft, and in particular Concorde and the B52, are lost in the higgledy-piggledy arrangement in the hangars. [Editor: The Concorde hangar is being extended in 2005] It is quite impossible to see the B52 as an entity, there are so many other aircraft 'crammed' around it. OK, I understand that space is tight, and the aircraft are all valuable museum pieces and must not be left out in the open (as the B52 and Concorde were the last time I went) but future plans must include more space to allow a proper view and appreciation of the planes on display. Concorde at Duxford Earlier Concorde Diary EntriesConcorde's return short lived??April 2003
An excerpt from British Airways advertisingSeptember 2003
Diary - November 7th 2001
 at London's Heathrow Airport [January 2001] Previous UpdatesFollowing the disaster at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris in 2000, much very costly work was undertaken on the safety of the Concorde supersonic airliner and it has been reported, as Concorde celebrates the 25th anniversary of its first commercial flight, that services may resume in the spring of 2001. It is to be hoped therefore that Concorde passes her safety tests and that once again we can cast an eye upward to a unique aircraft. Update June 2001. Concorde is expected to re-enter service in Autumn 2001 following kevlar ('bullet proof') lining of its wing tanks, newly developed and reinforced tyres and other modifications designed to prevent a recurrence of the Paris disaster. The installation of the wing tank linings has been a time consuming process requiring an individual engineer to crawl into a very restricted area and press each tailor made lining into its allotted position. With clearances of perhaps only 20 inches, the job has been slow and extremely difficult! Update November 2001.
Concorde re-entered
service in November 2001. In October 2001 spectators at Heathrow
cheered the take-off by Concorde on a proving flight to the US.
Update June 2002. Concorde momentarily stole the
limelight as she flew in tribute to HM The Queen at the conclusion
of the celebrations in The Mall on June 4th, the National Golden
Jubilee Day. Accompanied by the nine aircraft of The Red Arrows
Air Display Team trailing red, white and blue smoke, Concorde
flew overhead, the last contingent in a short flypast. After
passing over Buckingham Palace at 1500 feet (450 metres), Concorde
dramatically accelerated upwards as The Red Arrows broke away
left and right. For ten minutes Heathrow Airport had been closed
to allow the flypast to take place at 6.25pm, 30 minutes later
than originally planned. Update April 2003. Concorde to be withdrawn from service
in October 2003.
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