tgdxb
When I first flew the B747, the cross-wind limits for take-off was 40 knots - now it is 30 knots.My opinion of the statement from " a pilot-instructor" is that it is inaccurate. Heathrow's decision to end the use of runway 05/23 was probably more to do with expansion plans than the need for a cross-wind runway.
PJ2
from your cutting of the Concorde CVR/FDR didn't it state that the pilot had already commenced rotation when the observation from ATC was received? At that point, the Captain would only be aware of a problem with one engine, as practised regularly in the simulator.
We must remember that in the take-off calculations, the determination of V1 is 'theory'. In practice, the actual take-off weight and the actual wind component, temperature and pressure, as well as the runway surface condition, tyre and brake wear, could be detrimentally different. Using the calculated V1, the assumption that a RTO before this speed is reached, would result in the a/c stopping on the runway, also requires rapid recognition and correct actions.
Until the latter is made known, it is all speculation.