40th Anniversary of Concorde's First Flight - Aircraft of World War II

v2 · 03-02-2009, 07:00 AM

On 2 March 1969 the supersonic airliner, Concorde, has made a "faultless" maiden flight.
The Anglo-French plane took off from Toulouse and was in the air for just 27 minutes before the pilot made the decision to land.

The first pilot, Andre Turcat, said on his return to the airport: "Finally the big bird flies, and I can say now that it flies pretty well."

The test flight reached 10,000ft (3,000m), but Concorde's speed never rose above 300mph (480kph). The plane will eventually fly at a speed of 1,300mph (2,080kph).

Mr Turcat, his co-pilot and two engineers taxied to the end of the runway at about 1530GMT. Strong winds meant the test flight was in doubt for much of the day.

Two previous test flights had to be abandoned because of poor weather conditions.

Concorde sped down the runway and there was a spontaneous burst of applause from watching reporters and cameramen as the wheels lifted off the ground.

The noise from the four Olympus 593 engines, built jointly by the Bristol division of Rolls Royce and the French Snecma organisation, drowned out any noise from the crowd.

Less than half-an-hour later, the aircraft was brought back down to earth using a braking parachute and reverse thrust.

The crew emerged at the top of the steps, led by Mr Turcat, who gave the thumbs up signal with each hand.

The first British test pilot, Brian Trubshaw, who watched today's flight from the news stand, said, "I was terribly impressed by the way the whole flight was conducted. It was most professional and I would like to congratulate Andre on the way he handled this performance."

The British government has so far invested Ł155m in the project. It is hoped Concorde will begin flying commercially in 1973, when it will cut the flying time between London and New York from seven hours 40 minutes to three hours 25 minutes.

source: BBC

YouTube - Concorde: First Flight

wilbur1 · 03-02-2009, 11:45 AM

Great stuff thanks!!!

sturmer · 03-04-2009, 11:01 AM

is the concorde still flying? wasnt the plane "grounded" after that last crash in france?
but still thnx for the info on that

Gnomey · 03-04-2009, 11:04 AM

Concorde was grounded and then entered service again but was removed from service about 18 months ago now due to being unprofitable.

Interesting stuff v2.

Henk · 03-04-2009, 01:05 PM

Lovely bird, it was actually the Russians who had the first super sonic airliner, but the Concorde was successful.

muller · 03-04-2009, 02:57 PM

Another beautiful plane has its anniversary tomorrow. The Spitfire made its maiden flight 73 years ago, 5th March 1936.

sturmer · 03-04-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henk

Lovely bird, it was actually the Russians who had the first super sonic airliner, but the Concorde was successful.

ah yes the tupolev, not a bad looking plane either.

the spitfire, only a shame that little are left.

Henk · 03-04-2009, 05:58 PM

The Concorde also let me think of the B-70 Valkyrie. Also a lovely aircraft. Yes love the Spitfire.

Airframes · 03-05-2009, 01:45 PM

Forty years - seems like yesterday! And 73 years and still flying - wonderful!

03-02-2009, 07:00 AM	#1
v2 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cracow Posts: 4,207	40th Anniversary of Concorde's First Flight On 2 March 1969 the supersonic airliner, Concorde, has made a "faultless" maiden flight. The Anglo-French plane took off from Toulouse and was in the air for just 27 minutes before the pilot made the decision to land. The first pilot, Andre Turcat, said on his return to the airport: "Finally the big bird flies, and I can say now that it flies pretty well." The test flight reached 10,000ft (3,000m), but Concorde's speed never rose above 300mph (480kph). The plane will eventually fly at a speed of 1,300mph (2,080kph). Mr Turcat, his co-pilot and two engineers taxied to the end of the runway at about 1530GMT. Strong winds meant the test flight was in doubt for much of the day. Two previous test flights had to be abandoned because of poor weather conditions. Concorde sped down the runway and there was a spontaneous burst of applause from watching reporters and cameramen as the wheels lifted off the ground. The noise from the four Olympus 593 engines, built jointly by the Bristol division of Rolls Royce and the French Snecma organisation, drowned out any noise from the crowd. Less than half-an-hour later, the aircraft was brought back down to earth using a braking parachute and reverse thrust. The crew emerged at the top of the steps, led by Mr Turcat, who gave the thumbs up signal with each hand. The first British test pilot, Brian Trubshaw, who watched today's flight from the news stand, said, "I was terribly impressed by the way the whole flight was conducted. It was most professional and I would like to congratulate Andre on the way he handled this performance." The British government has so far invested Ł155m in the project. It is hoped Concorde will begin flying commercially in 1973, when it will cut the flying time between London and New York from seven hours 40 minutes to three hours 25 minutes. source: BBC YouTube - Concorde: First Flight __________________ "A good fighter pilot, like a good boxer, should have a knockout punch..... You will find one attack you prefer to all others. Work on it till you can do it to perfection... then use it whenever possible." - Captain Reade Tilley, USAAF 7 Victories, WW-II -

03-02-2009, 11:45 AM	#2
wilbur1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Escondido,Ca Posts: 2,206	Great stuff thanks!!! __________________ Dont shoot him...... It will just make him angry.

03-04-2009, 11:01 AM	#3
sturmer Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: antwerp Posts: 204	is the concorde still flying? wasnt the plane "grounded" after that last crash in france? but still thnx for the info on that __________________

03-04-2009, 11:04 AM	#4
Gnomey "World Traveller" Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Royal Deeside/St Andrews, Scotland, UK Posts: 15,224	Concorde was grounded and then entered service again but was removed from service about 18 months ago now due to being unprofitable. Interesting stuff v2. __________________ "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts" Sir Winston Churchill "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today" Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London WW2 Talk: A WW2 Discussion Forum My Photo Collections on Flickr

03-04-2009, 01:05 PM	#5
Henk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: George - South Africa Posts: 2,780	Lovely bird, it was actually the Russians who had the first super sonic airliner, but the Concorde was successful. __________________ The ultimate revolution in aircraft designs during WW2

03-04-2009, 02:57 PM	#6
muller Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The Emerald Isle Posts: 1,498	Another beautiful plane has its anniversary tomorrow. The Spitfire made its maiden flight 73 years ago, 5th March 1936. __________________

03-04-2009, 05:58 PM	#8
Henk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: George - South Africa Posts: 2,780	The Concorde also let me think of the B-70 Valkyrie. Also a lovely aircraft. Yes love the Spitfire. __________________ The ultimate revolution in aircraft designs during WW2

03-05-2009, 01:45 PM	#9
Airframes Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 9,064	Forty years - seems like yesterday! And 73 years and still flying - wonderful! __________________

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