Concorde Comes Alive
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: FL 600. West of Mongolia
Concorde Comes Alive
The original 'Concorde G-BOAC at Manchester' thread has been closed, and would like to offer this new one, so that all the past nonsense can be left behind. Our new website at this link: BRINGING CONCORDE G-BOAC BACK TO LIFE - Welcome will finally show in great detail the work that has been carried out by our team on G-BOAC. I hope you will all now be able to see what we have been up to, and will let us know what you think. Please try and make your criticisms constructive (this is most welcome by all) and it would be really nice if there was no more side-swiping from other museums and others. 
Let's all try and play nice 
Let's all try and play nice
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Boston
Great!
Great site! Great pictures! And, good luck to you and your group!
It is probably best that the mods deleted the "other" unpleasant thread - despite my dislike of rewriting (or deleting) history. Totally un-American (but, oh so British). The best to you, sir!
It is probably best that the mods deleted the "other" unpleasant thread - despite my dislike of rewriting (or deleting) history. Totally un-American (but, oh so British). The best to you, sir!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: FL 600. West of Mongolia
I honestly think that the best way forward is by dialogue, and we are still in contact with the museum. It is highly possible that some way forward can be found in the near future and that is what we will continue to strive for.
We are hoping to add some high quality video to the site very soon, looking at the splendour of Concorde returning to life as well as some of the 'waking' systems. (Althogh we had a few intitial system failures, I think I'd have been cranky if I was suddenly woken up after 8 years
).
We are hoping to add some high quality video to the site very soon, looking at the splendour of Concorde returning to life as well as some of the 'waking' systems. (Althogh we had a few intitial system failures, I think I'd have been cranky if I was suddenly woken up after 8 years
).
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: UK
I rather think this is misleading though.
In other words - flight. That can never happen surely!
But all the same it is nice to see some dedicated work going on.
G-BOAC is in superb overall condition and there is no limit to what she is capable of achieving in the future.
But all the same it is nice to see some dedicated work going on.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: FL 600. West of Mongolia
The statement was not actually meant to be interpreted as such. Both the airframe and systems seeem to be in incredibly good condition and this bodes well for any Concorde stored under cover. As far as FLYING, well that's a whole new ball game that we are certainly not contemplating here, but the aircraft herself is capable of just about anything you wish to name and this is quite remarkable after being grounded for so long.
So basically we are all trying to keep our feet (not to mention G-BOAC) firmly on the ground for now and try and move forward. Concorde Project Flagship is NOT about returning the aircraft to flight.
I will lecturing (about Concorde of course) on a cruise ship for the next couple of weks, but will try and pop in here when I can, trusty laptop permitting
So basically we are all trying to keep our feet (not to mention G-BOAC) firmly on the ground for now and try and move forward. Concorde Project Flagship is NOT about returning the aircraft to flight.
I will lecturing (about Concorde of course) on a cruise ship for the next couple of weks, but will try and pop in here when I can, trusty laptop permitting
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: right here inside my head
Great work M2Dude. You and your mates deserve congratulations for your dedication, work and successes so far..... 
Please, let me ask, BBowfighter, why do you say, "That can never happen surely!"? You're the second person I've read who seems to hold that viewpoint.... But when I look at the wonderful world of aviation in it's entirety, I see literally hundreds of examples of very old aircraft being put back to an airworthy state and flown. Why on earth would such a thing be "never" possible with Concorde?
**Let me make clear that I DO understand that is not the goal with this team, and with this Concorde, at the present time.** .... but I don't think my question is too much of a thread drift...
Please, let me ask, BBowfighter, why do you say, "That can never happen surely!"? You're the second person I've read who seems to hold that viewpoint.... But when I look at the wonderful world of aviation in it's entirety, I see literally hundreds of examples of very old aircraft being put back to an airworthy state and flown. Why on earth would such a thing be "never" possible with Concorde?
**Let me make clear that I DO understand that is not the goal with this team, and with this Concorde, at the present time.** .... but I don't think my question is too much of a thread drift...
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: UK
@3holelover - While the technical barriers to getting an airframe airworthy could probably be overcome, the legal barriers cannot.
In fact, before this thread was rebooted, I said to M2dude that his biggest problem to even get the working ground repairs started again would be to get the contract that BA had the museums sign re-drafted, which would take lawyers, and lawyers need money - a lot of money.
In fact, before this thread was rebooted, I said to M2dude that his biggest problem to even get the working ground repairs started again would be to get the contract that BA had the museums sign re-drafted, which would take lawyers, and lawyers need money - a lot of money.
None but a blockhead
Joined: Nov 1999
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From: London, UK
It's very simple. Anyone with an ounce of soul is desperate to see Concorde fly again, but it must not be allowed to happen because People Will Die and, more importantly, Others Will Be Blamed. So don't even think it. It is verboten.
However, certain steps might be taken in the preservation and restoration of this or that airframe, providing nobody involved is thinking forbidden thoughts. That would frighten the horses and the lawyers. Only the pure in heart may attempt these steps.
So be pure in heart, and feed the lawyers sugar lumps. You may need to ride them into battle one day.
However, certain steps might be taken in the preservation and restoration of this or that airframe, providing nobody involved is thinking forbidden thoughts. That would frighten the horses and the lawyers. Only the pure in heart may attempt these steps.
So be pure in heart, and feed the lawyers sugar lumps. You may need to ride them into battle one day.
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From: formally Alamo battleground, now the crocodile with palm trees!
@3holelover - While the technical barriers to getting an airframe airworthy could probably be overcome, the legal barriers cannot.
In fact, before this thread was rebooted, I said to M2dude that his biggest problem to even get the working ground repairs started again would be to get the contract that BA had the museums sign re-drafted, which would take lawyers, and lawyers need money - a lot of money.
In fact, before this thread was rebooted, I said to M2dude that his biggest problem to even get the working ground repairs started again would be to get the contract that BA had the museums sign re-drafted, which would take lawyers, and lawyers need money - a lot of money.
What would the world be without lawyers?
Paradise!
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: FL 600. West of Mongolia
Lawyers... bless 'em
I think it is incredible food for thought WHY certain little men (oh, and their LAWYERS, bless 'em) are so terrified of the prospect of one or more Concorde aircraft (we never say 'Concordes' you know) of actually taking to the air some day in the dark distant future. I disagree that this in itself is an insurmountable problem in the fullness of time; you just never know in the world of aviation. Although the aims of Concorde Project Flagship are NOT to get G-BOAC blasting down the runway and up into the blue yonder, we do believe in returning the aircraft and her systems to as high a standard as is physically possible.
Thank you so much guys for all your kind words, we do not need money or anything for now, just your support.
Oh well, back to a VERY rough Atlantic.
Thank you so much guys for all your kind words, we do not need money or anything for now, just your support.
Oh well, back to a VERY rough Atlantic.
Joined: Feb 2002
Aviation Qualifications: AME
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From: UK
My understanding is that BA still own it.
Have to disagree there.
It is money (lots of it) that is keeping it firmly grounded. Huge quantities would be required to a, get it airworthy and b, keep it that way.
The TU-144 had government (and NASA) backing, Not something that is likely to happen soon over here.
It is mainly the dear paperwork that keeps Concorde from flying. If one only considers the TU-144 that sat in storage for who knows how many years before the Russians got it flying again.
It is money (lots of it) that is keeping it firmly grounded. Huge quantities would be required to a, get it airworthy and b, keep it that way.
The TU-144 had government (and NASA) backing, Not something that is likely to happen soon over here.
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From: On the ground too often
How much would it cost to convert one of these airframes into an ultimate full motion simulator experience? A full motion simulator that could be experienced from both the cockpit and the passenger cabin?
Imagine placing the entire airframe on a moving arm inside of some kind of projection 'bubble' - offering a nearly 360 degrees projection field in all axis. As passengers enter Concorde via an airbridge an image of the actual stand, terminal, airport buildings could be projected. The aircraft could virtually taxi to the runway - then the sound of engines, vibrations, acceleration, moving tarmac, rotation, climb rate - all that could be simulated. Landing gear would retract, ailerons would move. A transition to the flight at supersonic speed phase - perhaps in a 'premium' experience authentic Concorde meals could be served?
Concorde would 'live', BA would have the ultimate publicity 'toy'.
I doubt a project of this magnitude is possible to be financed based purely on voluntary donations, but if BA could partner up with some of the technology partners needed to make this happen (for example a software giant that also manufactures a known flight simulator, a chip giant that manufactures leading graphics chips, another chip giant that manufactures the bits used in projectors ...)- perhaps it could be viable?
Imagine placing the entire airframe on a moving arm inside of some kind of projection 'bubble' - offering a nearly 360 degrees projection field in all axis. As passengers enter Concorde via an airbridge an image of the actual stand, terminal, airport buildings could be projected. The aircraft could virtually taxi to the runway - then the sound of engines, vibrations, acceleration, moving tarmac, rotation, climb rate - all that could be simulated. Landing gear would retract, ailerons would move. A transition to the flight at supersonic speed phase - perhaps in a 'premium' experience authentic Concorde meals could be served?
Concorde would 'live', BA would have the ultimate publicity 'toy'.
I doubt a project of this magnitude is possible to be financed based purely on voluntary donations, but if BA could partner up with some of the technology partners needed to make this happen (for example a software giant that also manufactures a known flight simulator, a chip giant that manufactures leading graphics chips, another chip giant that manufactures the bits used in projectors ...)- perhaps it could be viable?