Since 2006, the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum has exhibited a specimen of the legendary supersonic jet. But the ravages of time gnawed at him. Now the Concorde is being overhauled – but first had to travel by ship.
The Concorde with the serial number 210 was special in several ways. It was she who set a land speed record on February 7, 1996. She crossed the Atlantic in just two hours and 52 minutes. On the way from New York to London, she was sometimes traveling at 2173 kilometers per hour.
The Concorde with the license plate G-BOAD was also the only one that wore a different livery than that of British Airways or Air France. On the one hand, it came in the colors of the British national airline. On the other hand, however, it wore the design of Singapore Airlines. There was a good reason for that. The two airlines jointly marketed the Concorde flights between London and the city-state.
Half page Singapore Airlines
British pilots sat in the cockpit of the Concorde, while flight attendants from the two airlines looked after the well-heeled guests in the cabin. They paid around 15 percent more for their trip than a first-class ticket. But they could get from Southeast Asia to Europe in less than ten hours.
But the route, which included a stopover in Bahrain to refuel, did not last long. Started at the end of 1977, it was discontinued at the end of 1980. The supersonic jet then continued flying with British Airways on the New York route. After the crash in July 2000, she too had to stay on the ground. After adjustments, it took off again in February 2002 – but only for a few months.
After retirement to the museum
On November 10, 2003, the Concorde, built in Filton, UK, completed its very last flight – after a total of 7,010 flights and 23,397 flight hours. He took her to New York. There she stayed. The jet became an exhibit at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum at Pier 86 on the Hudson River in Manhattan beginning in 2006.
But maintaining the Concorde proved expensive. More than half of the museum’s aircraft budget went to the special plane. And so the ravages of time gnawed at the aircraft. But now it is being extensively restored. On August 9, she was taken to the Brooklyn Navy Yard in a cargo ship – and made a trip around the southern tip of the famous island.
From 2024 back in old freshness
From spring 2024, the legendary Concorde will be on display again at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. By then she will be 48 years old. It was built in 1976 and made its maiden flight on August 25 of that year.
In the picture gallery above you can see pictures of the Concorde. Clicking on the photo opens the gallery in large format.
2023-08-21 16:37:00
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