Can you believe it? It has been 20 years since the last iconic Concorde plane flew over Bristol’s skies, returning to its home city. The sight of this magnificent aircraft brought tears to the eyes of thousands of people, as they watched its unmistakable nose drooping gracefully as it came into land.
The Concorde holds a special place in the hearts of so many. From the brilliant engineers and designers who brought this supersonic plane to life, to the dedicated captains and air stewards who spent countless hours onboard, and let’s not forget the thousands of passengers who sipped sparkling champagne as they soared through the skies.
The Concorde made its first ever commercial flight on January 21, 1976, and its final flight was on November 26, 2003. To mark this significant anniversary, the last remaining Concorde airplane will be showcased in a specially-built hangar in Bristol, where it will recreate its iconic nose droop at the exact times it landed 20 years ago.
In addition to the spectacle, special guests will gather for a lunch to share their cherished memories of this groundbreaking plane. Memories that transport them back to a time when they witnessed the Concorde pushing boundaries beyond imagination.
While the Concorde was a symbol of innovation and luxury, it also faced hardships. On July 25, 2000, tragedy struck when Air France Flight 4590 crashed shortly after take-off, claiming the lives of all 109 passengers and crew onboard, as well as four people on the ground. This devastating event was the only fatal incident involving the Concorde.
Despite the challenges it faced, the Concorde left an indelible mark on aviation history. Its legacy lives on through the memories shared by captains, fans, and engineers alike.
John Britton, a former chief engineer for British Airways Concorde, reflects on his time working on this prestigious project: “I was a young engineer in my 20s when I joined in 1963. It was brilliant to be a part of designing an aircraft that could go twice the speed of sound. It was an experience like no other.”
Colin Morris, a Concorde captain from 1977 to 1995, recalls the exhilaration of flying this incredible aircraft: “When you line up on the runway, the power of Concorde is like a rocket. It’s a mind-blowing experience.”
Neil Smith, a member of the final Concorde crew, shares a humorous anecdote about trying on extravagant coats left onboard by passengers: “There was a colleague who casually examined a certain ex-president’s wife’s coat, only to have her walk in and say, ‘It looks far better on me darling, take it off.’”
It’s not just the rich and famous who were captivated by the Concorde. Rosie Thompson, a lifelong fan, describes her experience of flying on the plane as one of the best in her life: “The speed and effortless power of Concorde, taking us across the Atlantic in just three hours and 23 minutes, was truly remarkable. It was a dream come true.”
As we celebrate the legacy of the Concorde, let’s remember the moments of wonder and excitement it brought to so many. The Concorde was more than just an aircraft; it represented the relentless pursuit of progress and the human spirit of exploration.
