Concorde (merged)
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Speedbird One Crew, Saturday 18 Oct
As Rhys S. Negative has reported, after reading back their take-off clearance, the crew of 001 paid tribute to those who had come to same goodbye.
This was grately appreciated by the several hundred people gathered gathered in the chilly evening air near Hatton Cross to watch her depart, when it was relayed to them by those with radios -- most didn't seem to have scanners or be "aviation enthusiasts", they seemed to be members of the great British public, who simpley wanted to be part, however small, of this triumph of British engineering/aviation.
This sight -- and sound
-- of four Olympuses (Olympi ?) on reheat disappearing into the darkening sky is one that will remain with me for a long time...
If anybody reading this is in contact with the crew, please let them know that their gesture was greatly appreciated by those present.
RTFM
As Rhys S. Negative has reported, after reading back their take-off clearance, the crew of 001 paid tribute to those who had come to same goodbye.
This was grately appreciated by the several hundred people gathered gathered in the chilly evening air near Hatton Cross to watch her depart, when it was relayed to them by those with radios -- most didn't seem to have scanners or be "aviation enthusiasts", they seemed to be members of the great British public, who simpley wanted to be part, however small, of this triumph of British engineering/aviation.
This sight -- and sound
-- of four Olympuses (Olympi ?) on reheat disappearing into the darkening sky is one that will remain with me for a long time...If anybody reading this is in contact with the crew, please let them know that their gesture was greatly appreciated by those present.
RTFM
Paxing All Over The World
It would seem that one of the best places to be at LHR is the Pink Elephant car park. Pay for half a day's parking and get a ringside seat. Get there early with plenty of sarnies and a large thermos!
I was in the area on Sunday evening and saw 0002 arrive (beautifully) at the western extremity of the park and then went down the eastern end to wait for 0001's departure. Superb, shatteringly good as it was already dark and the reheat and the noise was magnificent.
Having enjoyed the ride from the inside in August, I wanted to remind myself of what it was like on the outside!!
I was in the area on Sunday evening and saw 0002 arrive (beautifully) at the western extremity of the park and then went down the eastern end to wait for 0001's departure. Superb, shatteringly good as it was already dark and the reheat and the noise was magnificent.
Having enjoyed the ride from the inside in August, I wanted to remind myself of what it was like on the outside!!
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And credit to Birmingham Airport for handling the day really well. I was impressed by their efforts to make good views and access possible. Rather a contrast to LHR methinks...
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Concorde @ Belfast
Attended the wake today at Aldergrove to see off the queen of the skies and heartened to hear Capt Mike Bannister state on BBC Radio Ulster that BA have a work study group looking into the possibility of keeping one airborne. This go`s against all previous reporting but heres fingers crossed.
Respect RIP
Respect
RIP
High Flying Bird
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Concorde timetable
I'm feeling a little peaky and thought, rather than risk making everyone at work sick, I ought to stay away. And, not wanting to waste away in bed, I thought a little trip to LHR to see the beautiful bird might be good for me.
Erm... but I can't find the timetable, and PW is having trouble getting through on the phone.
Can anyone tell us what time she takes off and lands? And some ideas as to good viewing positions?
Thank you!!
Erm... but I can't find the timetable, and PW is having trouble getting through on the phone.
Can anyone tell us what time she takes off and lands? And some ideas as to good viewing positions?
Thank you!!
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I'm a local and I know the area like the back of my hand - and I won't bother.
Traffic will be total chaos from Chiswick to Windsor and from Staines to Hayes. The police have yto keep the airport open and will be merciless about parking and stopping.
The security screens stop any view from the perimiter road, even if you can get on it.
I saw the first departure to Bahrain in 1976, but this one will be too much hassle.
Traffic will be total chaos from Chiswick to Windsor and from Staines to Hayes. The police have yto keep the airport open and will be merciless about parking and stopping.
The security screens stop any view from the perimiter road, even if you can get on it.
I saw the first departure to Bahrain in 1976, but this one will be too much hassle.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Time for some piccies then!
Fantastic party atmosphere down in the country park - cheers and applause as she began to go down the runway, soon drowned out by the engine noise, and then as the roar died away nothing but silence from thousands of people just quietly watching her curve round and disappear into the distance.
Fantastic party atmosphere down in the country park - cheers and applause as she began to go down the runway, soon drowned out by the engine noise, and then as the roar died away nothing but silence from thousands of people just quietly watching her curve round and disappear into the distance.
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Aerbabe - parking is going to be tricky if tonight's chaos is anything to judge by - hundreds of cars parked by the side of the A3044, or even on it, to watch the 7PM departure tonight. Someone will get hurt if it gets any more chaotic.
Tomorrow there is a flight at around 10AM to Manchester, returning around 17:45 along with one from JFK. If winds and runways in use are the same as today, that'll be two landing over Hatton Cross tube station, and one departing over the A3044 at the western end. Parking at Hatton Cross is limited - best to park somewhere along Hatton Road, other side of the A30, and walk/cycle back to the playing field at the end of Myrtle Avenue.
For the A3044 end, most park on the verge/central reservation but it is getting VERY busy there now and quite chaotic. Perhaps better to turn left off the A3044 onto Bath Road and park in Poyle somewhere. Walk/cycle back along Bath Road to get back to the perimeter (or watch from the bridge over the M25).
Thursday again has a 1000 departure, coming back at 1745 ish, and the last 1830 departure to JFK - the last chance to see her go in darkness possibly, well worth watching!
Friday has a 1000 departure, a 1425 departure, and both those coming back along with Thursday's JFK flight around 1600. To watch the landing, either the A3044 spot already mentioned or keep cycling to the other end of the airport (by Parking Express car park - you could always park there and cough up 13.50 for the privilege, just don't expect to be able to stay in your car and get there early).
Got to stress this assumes same runways in use as today.
Departure times - add 10-30 minutes for pushback, taxi etc. to get takeoff time.
Also go to www.concordesst.com particularly the forums - help galore there, and other spots to view from to be found on the main site (choose Concorde Retires|Viewing Concorde).
Tomorrow there is a flight at around 10AM to Manchester, returning around 17:45 along with one from JFK. If winds and runways in use are the same as today, that'll be two landing over Hatton Cross tube station, and one departing over the A3044 at the western end. Parking at Hatton Cross is limited - best to park somewhere along Hatton Road, other side of the A30, and walk/cycle back to the playing field at the end of Myrtle Avenue.
For the A3044 end, most park on the verge/central reservation but it is getting VERY busy there now and quite chaotic. Perhaps better to turn left off the A3044 onto Bath Road and park in Poyle somewhere. Walk/cycle back along Bath Road to get back to the perimeter (or watch from the bridge over the M25).
Thursday again has a 1000 departure, coming back at 1745 ish, and the last 1830 departure to JFK - the last chance to see her go in darkness possibly, well worth watching!
Friday has a 1000 departure, a 1425 departure, and both those coming back along with Thursday's JFK flight around 1600. To watch the landing, either the A3044 spot already mentioned or keep cycling to the other end of the airport (by Parking Express car park - you could always park there and cough up 13.50 for the privilege, just don't expect to be able to stay in your car and get there early).
Got to stress this assumes same runways in use as today.
Departure times - add 10-30 minutes for pushback, taxi etc. to get takeoff time.
Also go to www.concordesst.com particularly the forums - help galore there, and other spots to view from to be found on the main site (choose Concorde Retires|Viewing Concorde).
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Concordes vist to Manchester 22nd October 2003
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Some days, not carrying a camera on the flightdeck can be a sad loss.
Last winter with LHR still covered with a light dusting of snow [a couple of days after the closure fiasco], we were waiting in the queue close to departure 27R. Concorde gets a fast-track takeoff on the landing runway [no objections, BTW ], so she whistled past us and away.
Our rear-view was progressively obscured [and hearing lost!] in blown snow as she accelerated down the runway, then a massive vortex either side of the runway on rotate [not that we could see the a/c.] Suddenly, zooming out of this scene a fast climbing and disappearing white bird.
No camera, but as our elder son says,"Dad, sometimes you just have to live the moment!"
G'day
Last winter with LHR still covered with a light dusting of snow [a couple of days after the closure fiasco], we were waiting in the queue close to departure 27R. Concorde gets a fast-track takeoff on the landing runway [no objections, BTW
], so she whistled past us and away.Our rear-view was progressively obscured [and hearing lost!] in blown snow as she accelerated down the runway, then a massive vortex either side of the runway on rotate [not that we could see the a/c.] Suddenly, zooming out of this scene a fast climbing and disappearing white bird.
No camera, but as our elder son says,"Dad, sometimes you just have to live the moment!"
G'day
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Concorde at Manchester piccies
Crap weather but never mind eh, some lovely vapour off the wings on the approach (which sadly doesn't show up very well in the photos), and plenty of opportunities for photos albeit in rather murky light.
