iscover
Inside the Archive #10 | Concorde
0 comment
On 2 March 1969, Concorde’s prototype, F-WTSS (001), flew its maiden flight in a breakthrough moment for aviation. In the year America put man on the moon, a collaboration between British Airways and Air France promised to make supersonic transport for consumers a reality back on Earth.
But of course, we all know how the story ended. On 25 July 2000, flight 4590, operated by Air France, crashed shortly after take-off from Paris, killing all 109 passengers and crew on board alongside four individuals on the ground. An investigation later revealed that a strip of metal debris on the runway triggered a chain of events that led to the fuel tank rupturing and a fire starting. The incident not only exposed safety issues but destroyed its reputation among the flying public. Extortionate ticket prices, problems with noise and competition from a new generation of traditional aircraft led to its early retirement in 2003.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
This iconic photo, though, represents one of its greatest moments. On Christmas Eve in 1985, British Airways flew four Concordes in formation for the first time to celebrate 10 years of the carrier operating the aircraft. The special date was no accident – 24 December was one of the only times when demand was low enough to warrant taking four of British Airways’ fleet of seven out of service. G-BOAA, G-BOAC, G-BOAF and G-BOAG took off from London Heathrow and manoeuvred into formation above the English village of Lyneham, North Wiltshire. The aircraft flew in a diamond and swan-like formation before attempting to line up horizontally.
Look closely though and you’ll notice they didn’t quite line up perfectly – a sign this particular photo is real.
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
