The Concorde would have been 50 Today

[Jim Young 2,356]

Thought this was interesting.  It would have been 50 if still flying today - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6763597/Fifty-years-Concorde-supersonic-jet-1-350mph-speed-world-smaller-place.html

[Ray Proudfoot 8,930]

That was the maiden flight of the Air France Concorde. The British one would take to the skies a few weeks later. Thanks for remembering the world's most iconic supersonic aircraft Jim.

We have G-BOAC here at Manchester and there are regular tours available.  https://www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk/visit-us/explore-our-aircraft/

 

[vc10man 732]

I was at RAF Fairford then as part of the Support Squadron. Remember it oh so well. Good ole Brian.

Nostalgia and warm memories.

[overspeed3 410]

FlightSim Labs' Concorde will live on in my PC until I myself shuffle off this mortal coil...

[tutmeister 695]

1 hour ago, overspeed3 said:

FlightSim Labs' Concorde will live on in my PC until I myself shuffle off this mortal coil...

If only they would hurry up with the new one!

[pedrotrindade 335]

Simply a masterpiece.

[188AHC 2,138]

I hadn't thought about it but Wow, 50 years. I remember all the hoopla and the construction and first flights. Truly an aviation icon.

 

[vc10man 732]

When I was at BA LHR, I remember the Singapore Airlines livery on one side and the BA one on the other side. Even in the dead of night, servicing it in readiness for next day's flight was an awe striking sight. Fond memories. Pity Indonesia banned supersonic flights in their airspace. That's what finished it off for that joint venture.

[Ray Proudfoot 8,930]

The most remarkable story I have about Concorde was in the build-up to the total solar eclipse of 30 June 1973. This was a very long eclipse - around 7m 20s, near the theoretical maximum.

Scientists liaised with Air France and loaded their cameras and specialised kit on the aircraft. It took off from Las Palmas and flew in the Earth's shadow for 70 minutes. No other aircraft - even military - could have done that for that length of time with so many people and kit on board.

I remember it well as I was on board MS Monte Umbe along with the late, great Patrick Moore and the BBC's Sky at Night team as we observed the eclipse off the coast of Mauritania. A memory I will take to my grave.

[vc10man 732]

Nice to read that anecdote, Ray. Yes, I remember how it was a ritual for me,----- long before I gave up tv -----to watch Patrick Moore, regularly once a month..

You too have treasured memories.

[Chock 17,769]

It is easily the best aeroplane I ever went on.

[Ray Proudfoot 8,930]

It's interesting how Jim named this topic. The Concorde... In Britain it's always referred to a just Concorde. Why I know not. Maybe because there were so few of them but certainly more than one. No other aircraft is referred to that way.

[vc10man 732]

Good Morning Ray. I may be wrong but at the time, when Monsieur Charles De Gaulle was in situ, there was a Le Concordiat between us and France, long before the CAP came into place with foreran the Common Market, hence it was referred to as The Concorde from when, if am not too blurred in my memory as it was a joint French-British venture between Aerospatiale and BAC, Concorde derived its name from.

[overspeed3 410]

Well, the British (as do Canadians) also say "I'm in hospital, or I'm in university" (not "college").  We in the Colonies include "the".  Either way gets the point across...

BTW, will there ever be another Mach 2 passenger airliner?  There are currently rumors afloat out there...

[188AHC 2,138]

The Concorde, The 747, The Connie, who cares. That's what makes an international forum so wonderful. We all learn things from others countries. And I will suggest that there are colloquialisms in the UK much the same as in the US, Middle East, Africa, Australia, well you know where I'm headed.

Thanks for reminding us of our interesting language differences, Ray.