Related Articles
To mark the occasion Aerospace Bristol will welcome the biggest gathering of former Concorde flight crew to the museum
Aerospace Bristol is set to welcome its biggest gathering of former Concorde flight crew to the museum today (Wednesday, January 21), with ex-captains, first officers and engineers coming together to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the supersonic plane’s first commercial flight on January 21, 1976.
Between 11am and 12.30pm, the museum is inviting the public to hear stories and anecdotes and learn more about the iconic aircraft.
The anniversary will be brought to life in dramatic fashion as Concorde Alpha Foxtrot – the last Concorde to fly from Heathrow to Bristol 23 years ago – performs a timed ‘droop nose’ moment at 11.40am, marking the exact time the first commercial flight took off from London Heathrow five decades ago.
In a rare, synchronised tribute, two other supersonic Concorde aircraft in the UK, at Manchester Airport Runway Visitor Park and IWM Duxford, will simultaneously droop noses creating a national nod to one of aviation’s most recognisable rituals.
The ‘droop nose’ remains one of Concorde’s most impressive visuals – a hydraulically operated nose cone pivoting down to give pilots visibility during take-off and landing, overcoming the obstruction caused by Concorde’s famously streamlined shape.
Attendees at Bristol include 17 captains, nine first officers and seven flight engineers, alongside passionate Aerospace Bristol volunteers. The museum is also hosting a live auction of Concorde memorabilia, raising funds and celebrating the aircraft’s enduring cultural pull.
Chief executive of Aerospace Bristol, Sally Cordwell said: “Concorde still has an extraordinary ability to stop people in their tracks, for good reason. It’s instantly recognisable, incredibly photogenic and packed with stories of human ambition and engineering brilliance.
“We’re thrilled to be able to bring this amazing crew together to celebrate this milestone for Concorde – it continues to play a huge part of our story and the heritage and legacy of aviation in our region. Today is about sharing stories of ambition, collaboration and engineering prowess, giving people the behind-the-scenes detail, celebrating our work as a museum and showing why we work so hard to do what we do.”
Filton is heralded as the birthplace of Concorde, built there by the British Aircraft Corporation, the aircraft was a triumph of engineering and ambition.
On April 9, 1969, Concorde 002 took off on its first test flight from Filton Aerodrome, marking the UK’s contribution to this groundbreaking Anglo-French project.
Concorde entered service 50 years ago, with Air France from Paris-Roissy and British Airways from Heathrow. The London flight was bound for Bahrain, with passengers enjoying champagne and caviar for the 3,500-mile journey.
For its last hurrah in November 2003, after Concorde announced the retirement of its fleet earlier that year, the jet took off from Heathrow, flying out over the Bay of Biscay and soaring above the Clifton Suspension Bridge, before touching down at Bristol’s Filton Airfield.
The plane – Alpha Foxtrot G-BOAF – was the last aircraft of its kind to be built and the last Concorde to fly. In 2017, Aerospace Bristol welcomed Concorde Alpha Foxtrot where it has remained as its final home. The complex move was conducted with the greatest care by engineers from British Airways and Airbus, who towed the iconic aircraft across Filton Airfield and up a ramp into the new purpose-built hangar at Aerospace Bristol.
On Saturday January 24, there will be another nose droop demonstration at 12.30pm and a talk by Captain John Hutchinson, who will share his experiences of flying Concorde and its incredible story.
Tickets for the talk are free and available online from Aerospace Bristol .Last week a new 50p coin was released and launched at Aerospace Bristol, to mark the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s first commercial flight. The coin is available to purchase from the Royal Mint’s website.
Royal Mail is also issuing a special set of stamps to mark the anniversary. The collection of 12 stamps features photography of the British Airways aircraft throughout its history including its final journey.
A miniature sheet includes three designs from the 1969 ‘First Flight’ issue updated with the King Charles III silhouette.
David Gold, director of external affairs and policy at Royal Mail, said the designs paid tribute to the innovation and engineering excellence that made the jet a symbol of ambition.
The set features work by influential British designers David Gentleman and Michael and Sylvia Goaman commissioned for the original launch.
It also includes a never-before-seen design by Mr Gentleman that was shortlisted but not adopted in the 1969 set. One of the main photographic stamps captures four Concordes flying in formation to celebrate 10 years of service.
Hamish McVey, director of marketing at British Airways, said: “Concorde represents a landmark chapter in our history at British Airways.”
Source link
