For a very short test programme, well ahead of any A320 programme which did not come about till 1984, I suspect this was no more than a belt and braces to see if you could fly an aircraft from a side mounted stick.
That cannot of been the sole objective, surely Gordon? Concorde was far too complex and expensive an aeroplane to simply want to prove that with her? Wasn't the F16 flying then? That had side stick - and a 'lay down in the bath' seating position didn't it?
As for the aerodynamics, what a fascinating discussion! I'll readily admit it is mostly on the fringes and way above my understanding, but I can hang on to enough of it to make the subject utterly intriguing. My maths are not and never were anywhere near good enough to make this a career choice, but the image conjured of vorteces and laminar flows and shock waves is quite beautiful.
Thanks again everyone.
Roger.