Museum aims to land Concorde
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Museum aims to land Concorde
Hi,
MUSEUMS chiefs have launched a bid to bring Concorde to a popular Lothians tourist attraction.
They have written to British Airways in an effort to secure one of the UK’s seven decommissioned jets for the Museum of Flight in East Fortune.
The move follows a mounting campaign to see one of the supersonic jets brought to the East Lothian attraction.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News
Regards
BAe 146-100
MUSEUMS chiefs have launched a bid to bring Concorde to a popular Lothians tourist attraction.
They have written to British Airways in an effort to secure one of the UK’s seven decommissioned jets for the Museum of Flight in East Fortune.
The move follows a mounting campaign to see one of the supersonic jets brought to the East Lothian attraction.
Source: Edinburgh Evening News
Regards
BAe 146-100
Paxing All Over The World
The story is now being firmly told that Airbus are withdrawing support for spares and special advice/maintenance. It does not matter if this is true, or simply a smokescreen for AF + BA to stand behind - if they do not want to appear to be removing everyone's favourite. It is over.
(Which is why I am carefully clasping my confirmed reservation for 8th August. Ssshhh!)
(Which is why I am carefully clasping my confirmed reservation for 8th August. Ssshhh!)
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It will be sad if these amazing aircraft end up parked in the open on various airfilds as 'exhibits', corroding and generally turning into tatty hulks fit only for the scrap man.
Let's hope that some at least find a home indoors and receive lots of TLC to keep them looking as good as they are now - inside and out.
SSD
Let's hope that some at least find a home indoors and receive lots of TLC to keep them looking as good as they are now - inside and out.
SSD
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As I mentioned on another thread R-R at Patchway are ditching their stocks of Olympus spares and overhaul kit so I guess it will be bye bye to Concorde, you go nowhere without an engine.
VnV...
(with apologies to glider pilots)
VnV...
(with apologies to glider pilots)
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Is 202 (G-BBDG) still at Filton? Stored there since '81 according to what I've read. That would be the obvious place to keep one. The National Air & Space in Washington are applying for one too.....bit ironic when it was the US environmental lobby that wanted no Concorde flights into America....
Shouldn't be a problem finding enough 'serious' museums; there are only twelve active machines, and I'm sure that there are that many collections with the space to keep one properly looked after.
Shouldn't be a problem finding enough 'serious' museums; there are only twelve active machines, and I'm sure that there are that many collections with the space to keep one properly looked after.
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This is one of those periods in aviation, when it is impossible to get a clear picture of what will happen to Concorde.
Museums are high on the agenda but I think it would be right to say that there are, in the background, moves afoot to keep Concorde flying. These are things we will not hear of until they who make the decisions decide to tell us.
I hope the news will be good.
Museums are high on the agenda but I think it would be right to say that there are, in the background, moves afoot to keep Concorde flying. These are things we will not hear of until they who make the decisions decide to tell us.
I hope the news will be good.
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Rust
Totally agree with Shaggy Sheep. If the aircraft are not guaranteed a home with a roof - scrap 'em. It's too proud an aircraft to be dripping with rust in 10 years time.
At least the Yanks will keep one or two under cover.
At least the Yanks will keep one or two under cover.
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G-BBDG
NOPAX - i can confirm that G-BBDG is still at Filton and has it's own little hangar there - if you know thwe area - the hangar
medivac that can be seen on the otherside of the airfield from the A38 with the red door's is where it lives. It is minus it's tail and rudder and the drooping nose as it wouldent fit in the hangar
medivac with them still fitted and it is also fitted with a dummy undercarriage constructed of tubular steel but it is still reconisable as a concorde. The interior has also been gutted from the a/c and many of the internal panels are also missing.
Re Rolls Royce ditching there stock's of spares and overhaul kit's for the olympus engine - this is not strictley true - they may be withdrawing support for the aviation version of this engine but they will still be required to support the marine version which power's many of our a/c carrier's and frigate's
I also believe from a orginisation that i am involved with that has been in discussions for the last few years with BA - that one of the BA fleet of Concords will be going to Filton(the a/c birthplace) for display when they are finally retired. Hopefully this will be one of the Filton built examples as opposed to a Toulouse
ones.
hopes this helps.
W.G
Re Rolls Royce ditching there stock's of spares and overhaul kit's for the olympus engine - this is not strictley true - they may be withdrawing support for the aviation version of this engine but they will still be required to support the marine version which power's many of our a/c carrier's and frigate's
I also believe from a orginisation that i am involved with that has been in discussions for the last few years with BA - that one of the BA fleet of Concords will be going to Filton(the a/c birthplace) for display when they are finally retired. Hopefully this will be one of the Filton built examples as opposed to a Toulouse
ones.
hopes this helps.
W.G
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Interesting that when Virgin offered to share the LHR - New York route with BA with duel colour schemed aircraft, the BA boss ran out of argument and said that he may consider this. Light at the end of the tunnel perhaps, as BA did such a thing with Air Singapore once. If they have 10 years left in them, then keep them flying is my stance.
aceatco, retired
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Interesting and informed comment in the ABTN newsletter and on their web site http://www.abtn.co.uk/. You need to scroll down.
VA
VA
Paxing All Over The World
The main thread on this subject, running in Rumours, shows that BA are fed up with taking the flak. They are now stating clearly that they wanted to have the a/c still operational but AirFrance and Airbus have both decided to stop. The cost of continuing without them would be prohibitive.
Of course, it might be that another operator could negotiate the fees for support and spares but the suppliers would take the opportunity to raise prices significantly. However, this quote is from ABTN:
On the matter of the Olympus engines ... apart from the marine version, there used to be an emergency power generating plant at Paddington in West London that had a pair (at least) of them to provide emergency cover for the area. Not sure of how they linked to the generator set. They would auto start, like any stand-by generator would, and could run up fast! I recall that the neighbours always knew when they were being test run. 
Not sure of they are still in service.
Of course, it might be that another operator could negotiate the fees for support and spares but the suppliers would take the opportunity to raise prices significantly. However, this quote is from ABTN:
It now appears that BA did not have much of a say on the matter The Financial Times got to the crux of the situation quoting Airbus, or if you prefer, France. It wanted out. “We will absolutely not, as Airbus, support any initiative to put Concorde back into operation by any other operator. I don’t want any ambiguity around that,” said Noel Forgeard, chief executive of Airbus, successor to the original manufacturers Aerospatiale and BAC. Naturally enough financial reasons were stated, but that has never worried the French before.
Not sure of they are still in service.
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I have heard that the Air France and BA Concorde's differ significantly in operational terms. For example, I understand that the BA Concordes' had deflector shields on the main undercarriage after the incident in NY 10 years ago. BA accepted the NTSB's recommendation to fit them, AF elected not to as they weren't a mandatory mod. Didn't BA say a few years ago that they didn't want AF's Concordes because of the differences between them?
Is Airbus trying to distance itself from it's roots? Do they want to be known for the current generation of Airbus products? Does the old sky queen embarass the producers of tubby tubes?
PAXboy aero derivative turbine powered generator sets are the standard method of power supply on the larger offshore platforms and smaller gas-fired power stations. The alternator is driven through a step down gearbox which brings the engine's 30,000rpm down to the 2,000 or so required by the alternator. Quite a chunky gearbox
Is Airbus trying to distance itself from it's roots? Do they want to be known for the current generation of Airbus products? Does the old sky queen embarass the producers of tubby tubes?
PAXboy aero derivative turbine powered generator sets are the standard method of power supply on the larger offshore platforms and smaller gas-fired power stations. The alternator is driven through a step down gearbox which brings the engine's 30,000rpm down to the 2,000 or so required by the alternator. Quite a chunky gearbox
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Hot from Sky News
BRANSON WANTS CONCORDE
Sir Richard Branson is stepping up his efforts to buy Concorde from British Airways.
The Virgin Atlantic boss has called on the Government to pressure BA into handing over its operating figures.
BA plans to retire Concorde in October, blaming falling passenger numbers since the crash near Paris three years ago that killed 113 people.
Sir Richard says he would be prepared to run it at a loss because of the prestige it would bring his own airline.
Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she had not yet received a proposal from Sir Richard but indicated she would welcome one.
"I shall be very interested indeed to look at any proposition from Richard Branson," the minister said.
"I haven't had one yet (but) I will look at it and discuss the idea with (Transport Secretary) Alistair Darling."
Asked why she believed BA had decided to kill Concorde off, Ms Hewitt said: "That is an extremely interesting and important question.
"It is one that I shall be very happy to discuss with Richard Branson."
He wont let go will he
Of course an ex-Air France now Virgin AND BA fleet would be too much to wish for: Branson v BA in an airborne head to head
Sir Richard Branson is stepping up his efforts to buy Concorde from British Airways.
The Virgin Atlantic boss has called on the Government to pressure BA into handing over its operating figures.
BA plans to retire Concorde in October, blaming falling passenger numbers since the crash near Paris three years ago that killed 113 people.
Sir Richard says he would be prepared to run it at a loss because of the prestige it would bring his own airline.
Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said she had not yet received a proposal from Sir Richard but indicated she would welcome one.
"I shall be very interested indeed to look at any proposition from Richard Branson," the minister said.
"I haven't had one yet (but) I will look at it and discuss the idea with (Transport Secretary) Alistair Darling."
Asked why she believed BA had decided to kill Concorde off, Ms Hewitt said: "That is an extremely interesting and important question.
"It is one that I shall be very happy to discuss with Richard Branson."
He wont let go will he
Of course an ex-Air France now Virgin AND BA fleet would be too much to wish for: Branson v BA in an airborne head to head
