Concorde, where did they all go?

[scruggs]

During my trip to NYC last October, Concorde was open to the public. It was the same Concorde my uncle and I flew on from EGLL to EGBB in the late 90's. Anyway, I'm sad to say that at the exit, people had signed their names and drew pictures by the door. I'm not sure if this has been painted over now - but it wasn't nice to see.

Who ever said it looked miserable - you're totally right!

[HZ123]

For the fanatics there was an article in the 'Times' yesterday with a number of lumanaries asking BA to release the paperwork on the aircraft and help provide costing for getting one airborne again for the Olympics. It has about as much chance as the Dome being a sucess. What did annoy though was that two of the AF models have the systems run up regularly?

[scruggs]

I think getting one flying for heritage purposes would be a fantastic thing. I know it would be astronomically expensive, but some things are worth it - like the Vulcan for example. It would be easier to restore one now than say 10-20 years down the road.

I didn't know AF powered up systems 2 Concordes. I wonder why. Surely if they have no intention of flying them again, there is no point in doing this.

http://www.save-concorde.co.uk/Site/page.php?1

[potkettleblack]

AFAIK its all down to the regs. Unfortunately in the UK they don't have anything like the experimental category of aircraft which is flourishing in the US. Therefore to get it airborne again would involve a tremendous amount of effort and cost. Whilst I am sure everyone would love to see it fly on special ocassions BA would be loathe to transfer one to the US (or anywhere else for that matter) and reregister it for fear of losing control and it being donned in a competitors colours thus causing severe loss of face. You could imagine the headlines "Virgin saves Concorde" or "Ryanair flies faster than BA"

[Phileas Fogg]

As long as they never paint the damn thing orange

[gordonroxburgh]

I'm sad to say that at the exit, people had signed their names and drew pictures by the door.

That would be the signatures of the flight crew, cabin crew and engineers how operated the aircraft for the final time.

Most of the 200+ engineers singed each an every one somewhere!