What exactly is this Concorde doing at Heathrow?
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Joined: Jul 2011
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From: England
What exactly is this Concorde doing at Heathrow?
I was casually browsing Google Maps today and came across what seems to be a Concorde surrounded in a housing, with obvious thrust directors attached to the engines? Could this be the re-testing of engines for Concorde's 2012 release? 
Google Maps
Google Maps
Gnome de PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
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From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Aren't they supposed to be taking the wings off and barging it up the Thames to be exhibited alongside the London Eye? Or has that plan been abandoned?
Well, I presume if they were going to carry out that plan they wouldn't have the strange large piping attached to the rear of the aircraft?
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: any town as retired.
off with his head agreed
however what is the purpose of the two arms on the engine test rig, just over the wings...
not that old, look at T2, and Queens building.
27R arrival is parked on the central reservation at 2-3 mil final.
glf
not that old, look at T2, and Queens building.
27R arrival is parked on the central reservation at 2-3 mil final.
glf
and one with a chinook flying over heathrow
Joined: Aug 2007
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I have had a brilliant idea
Given Concorde's technical brilliance - Its to be developed into a super efficient "Combinded Heat & Power Scheme" for the local Area. In my "informed" opionon - You are not looking at blast deflectors, but instead super efficient Gas/Steam Heat exchangers.
More seriously - Given one Concorde is in a museum in Manchester, what are the corrosive consequences of disassembeling an airframe like this ?
It would be sad to see a potentially complete airframe of historical significance just gradually corrode away, for lack of planning.
CAT III.
More seriously - Given one Concorde is in a museum in Manchester, what are the corrosive consequences of disassembeling an airframe like this ?
It would be sad to see a potentially complete airframe of historical significance just gradually corrode away, for lack of planning.
CAT III.
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From: Northern Hemisphere
Rumour has it that G-BOAB has very little left of the interior as much of it was removed to re-assemble G-BBDG at Brooklands.
IIRC the a/c also did not receive the post Paris fuel tank modifications and thus along with G-BOAA was used as a spares source for the last couple of years of commercial operation as it was no longer certified to fly.
The engines are also long gone and the fwd baggage hold is said to be full of old copies of the BA inflight magazine as ballast.
I never understood why it wasn't placed on that huge roundabout at the entrance to T5 as there is plenty of space, but obviously the powers that be didn't want general flying public to be reminded that they were taking a step backwards by seeing the "old" Supersonic jet when they were flying on a modern subsonic jet.
IIRC the a/c also did not receive the post Paris fuel tank modifications and thus along with G-BOAA was used as a spares source for the last couple of years of commercial operation as it was no longer certified to fly.
The engines are also long gone and the fwd baggage hold is said to be full of old copies of the BA inflight magazine as ballast.
I never understood why it wasn't placed on that huge roundabout at the entrance to T5 as there is plenty of space, but obviously the powers that be didn't want general flying public to be reminded that they were taking a step backwards by seeing the "old" Supersonic jet when they were flying on a modern subsonic jet.
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From: UK
G-BOAB's cabin was removed in 2000 as pat of the project rocket upgrade where the BA fleets interors were being refitted. Rather than being binned, some parts form the original front cabin of AB were indeed put inside G-BBDG...rather than going to landfill...good Save!
As for the T5 roundabout; if you are ever there they is a road tunnel that runs under it, so its not designed for 65T of Concorde sitting on top of it.
The magazines are in the front cabin. They were used as ballast when she was used for "storing" engines in her nacelles.
As for the T5 roundabout; if you are ever there they is a road tunnel that runs under it, so its not designed for 65T of Concorde sitting on top of it.
The magazines are in the front cabin. They were used as ballast when she was used for "storing" engines in her nacelles.
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Cloud 9
Whatever I/we may think of the French they've done a pretty good job of mounting a Corcorde on a plinth somewhere in the middle of CDG taxiways complex that even has lights, that become illuminated during the hours of darkness, situated in the engine outlets.
From this one might presume that the owners of CDG airport aren't so greedy as the owners of LHR airport whereas any location is potential for advertising and unless one is prepared to pay for it then the answer is "no".
From this one might presume that the owners of CDG airport aren't so greedy as the owners of LHR airport whereas any location is potential for advertising and unless one is prepared to pay for it then the answer is "no".
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Stockport MAN/EGCC
It is there to show BA pretending to care about their heritage !!
Unlike some airlines who are not ashamed of their heritage
Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin Stiftung
Be lucky
David
Unlike some airlines who are not ashamed of their heritage
Deutsche Lufthansa Berlin Stiftung
Be lucky
David
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 77
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From: Maidenhead berkshire
concorde
Yes,you are correct,the work starts early in 2012 to give G-BOAD its new home near The London Eye,all the 'red tape' has been sorted and the Concorde group that is responsible for this idea-which I am a member-are all rearing to go,a new landing stage type affair will be built with souvenier shops etc.,a great retirement setting for a great airliner.
Last edited by Dave Barnshaw; 1st August 2011 at 17:37. Reason: a reply
