The Concorde thread (Don't start a separate one!)
Gamekeeper
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Thanks DamienB, marvellous "snaps", I'm sure I can speak for many, they're much appreciated in the marking of a very significant day.
Thanks again, much enjoyed (for those wishing to see more of DamienB's work, BHX is particular good - "pop over to nostalgia"..)
PFR
Thanks again, much enjoyed (for those wishing to see more of DamienB's work, BHX is particular good - "pop over to nostalgia"..)
PFR
Join Date: Oct 2003
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Point taken
Point taken old bean, but I did mean active service. You'll be hard pushed to find one that saw active service in WWII, though if you've got £1m spare you could always get one from Historic Flying at Duxford.
Form On Leader
Form On Leader
Everybody's gotta be somewhere
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Well, my wife shed a few tears on the train coming back from LHR this evening; and I thought I was the spotter!
It just seems so criminal, such a waste. I don't pretend to have a solution, Brokenspectre has suggested a charitable trust to keep at least one flying - surely that would be possible - we can't just let her die like this!
rant mode on
What did BA or BAA think they would achieve putting plastic sheeting around the maintainance hangars? We aren't stupid you know - and those barrier things stacked very well.
rant mode off
I hope I've got some half decent pictures (shot two rolls of 36!) anything good I'll post.
Many thanks to the crews and the ATC this afternoon. I'm going to go and watch the BBC2 coverage and probably shed a few tears of my own.
dd
Concorde RIP
It just seems so criminal, such a waste. I don't pretend to have a solution, Brokenspectre has suggested a charitable trust to keep at least one flying - surely that would be possible - we can't just let her die like this!
rant mode on
What did BA or BAA think they would achieve putting plastic sheeting around the maintainance hangars? We aren't stupid you know - and those barrier things stacked very well.
rant mode off
I hope I've got some half decent pictures (shot two rolls of 36!) anything good I'll post.
Many thanks to the crews and the ATC this afternoon. I'm going to go and watch the BBC2 coverage and probably shed a few tears of my own.
dd
Concorde RIP
Join Date: Oct 2003
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I've been told in no uncertain terms that it is Airbus Industries was the key factor in the retirement, but does this weigh true? BA spent an absolute fortune on the Kevlar linings and interior refit only months ago, only to be told by a third party that they can't fly it anymore because they want to put their staff on other projects. Something really stinks here.
short flights long nights
I would just like to say..Goodbye XXXXX
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Indeed an era has passed, but it has passed without any extravagance that would be fitting of such an extravagant aircraft. The so called ceremony was pathetic. At the very least a proper reception with all the concorde staff past and present should have been arranged. Why only 3 aircraft why not all seven? where were the red arrows , the queen etc. ? why no flypast ? That's it three concorde land within a few minutes ,one of them has to split off and they taxi back to no reception other than groundcrew who have taken it upon themselves to stop and pay tribute. The best part of the whole event was when the crew sat outside the windows. I am dissapointed BA, deserves to get a beating !!! They should have just dumped them in the Thames for all that ceremony was , frankly I think that's how they feel. They are too proud to let Branson take them because they know they screwed up !Viva le resistance !! lets take them back ! The public really owns those airplanes and they had no say. I feel sorry for all those involved in the project they received a slap in the face, but thank you for producing such a legendary aircraft and inspiring many to join the aviation fraternity.
bat fastard
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Why did BA and AF line the fuel tanks with Kevlar? I mean surely a piece of tyre striking the fuel tank of ANY aircraft would cause the tank to rupture. It was just unfortunate that Concorde, such a high profile aircraft, was the next in line for T/O after the Continental A/C which apparently shed the metal. The same thing would have happened if it was a 737. Would all 73 operaters in the world then ground their fleet of 73's then line the fuel tanks with Kevlar? nah I don't think they would. IMHO it was just a case of Concorde being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Everybody's gotta be somewhere
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DamienB,
As always - superb!
Where did they put you in the end? I've got pictures (still on the 35mm film) of a poor stills photog. up a cherry picker, was that you?
dd
As always - superb!
Where did they put you in the end? I've got pictures (still on the 35mm film) of a poor stills photog. up a cherry picker, was that you?
dd
Death Cruiser Flight Crew
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Looks to me, from the wobbly video, as if the first officer was the handling pilot on the JFK 31L Canarsie departure. No doubt MB would want to do the LHR landing, but what a wonderful thing for that first officer to have done the last ever Concorde Canarsie ... the subject of all the palaver, all those years ago.
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Thanks for the comments peeps. digidave - no, wasn't me - wish it had been, might have had less trees and lamp posts to put up with - media grandstand wasn't nearly high enough (and wasn't the rooftop inside the airport originally promised but don't get me started!).
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Couldn't agree more about the Lottery coughing up the dough!!
Instead of buying new trumpets for brass bands throughout the UK, keep Concorde flying!
After all, its public money and we do own them really!!
No offence to brass bands .. its not your fault !
Seabass xx
Instead of buying new trumpets for brass bands throughout the UK, keep Concorde flying!
After all, its public money and we do own them really!!
No offence to brass bands .. its not your fault !
Seabass xx
Join Date: Mar 2000
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if BA don't want to run it anymore, they should at least give it to sombody who will try. There must be enough spares/aircraft to keep at least 2 running?
BA are not acting in the national interest here and that's a disgrace for a what used to be the nation's flag carrier.
BA are not acting in the national interest here and that's a disgrace for a what used to be the nation's flag carrier.
The ONLY West Bromwich Albion Season Ticket Holder
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Looks like Sky have in cockpit footage of todays takeoff from JFK and arrival at LHR !! Its on the concorde screen on Sky News Active.
Great stuff, but very sad (with a tinge of anger that its come to this to be honest).
Hoping tomorrow that I will wake up and it'll all have just been a bad dream....
Great stuff, but very sad (with a tinge of anger that its come to this to be honest).
Hoping tomorrow that I will wake up and it'll all have just been a bad dream....