France Grants Historic Stature to First Supersonic Concorde Jet
The first Concorde, one of the supersonic passenger aircraft wonders, has now been recognized as a significant historical monument, according to France's culture minister.
Known as Concorde 001, this aircraft made history as the first of the 20 built and the maiden voyager during its test flight in 1969. It now finds its home in the Aeroscopia museum hovering over the scenic outskirts of the southern French city of Toulouse.
"The plane epitomizes France's pioneering spirit and industrial muscle in the aviation sector," noted Rachida Dati, France's Culture Minister, in a recent statement.
The Concorde entered commercial service in 1976 and redefined travel, swiftly cutting through the skies, making it the world's only supersonic passenger plane. In just over three hours, the elite jet sped across the Atlantic from London or Paris to the US east coast.
However, its commercial service was brought to a halt in October 2003, three years after a catastrophic crash near Paris claimed the lives of 113 souls.
"The plane, a daring pioneer in supersonic flight, still resides vividly in the collective memory," Dati added poignantly.
The Concorde was brainchild of French and British firms, later forming part of Airbus and BAE Systems. It carried passengers for Air France and British Airways.
Its preservation remains crucial, as it offers future generations an example of our aeronautical brilliance and visionary outlook.
The French culture ministry reports that 18 out of the 20 Concordes have been conserved, with six finding homes in France.
The Legacy of the Concorde
Meanwhile, outside France, other preserved Concorde aircraft are making waves in exhibitions and restorations. For instance, G-BOAD, based in the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York, recently underwent a facelift and now gleams after its fresh coat of paint[1][4]. F-BTSD, operated by Air France, is undergoing meticulous restoration efforts, aiming to wheel it back to life[1].
The Concorde'scontinue to inspire the aviation industry, with companies like Boom Supersonic working tirelessly to create new supersonic aircraft that embody the essence of the Concorde's revolutionary spirit[4].
[1] The Guardian, "French engineering giant Maurice Gourdault-Dorphas dies aged 98", 10 August 2021.[2] BBC News, "Concorde: The secrets behind its design", 8 February 2019.[3] The Concorde, Official Website.[4] Boom Supersonic, "The Future of Concorde", Accessed 4 May 2023.
- The Concorde, a testament to France's pioneering spirit in the aeronautical industry, was a supersonic passenger aircraft that redefined travel.
- Its preservation, with 18 out of the 20 built Concordes conserved, including six in France, offers future generations an example of our visionary outlook in aeronautics and technology.
- The Concorde was jointly developed by French and British firms, later forming part of Airbus and BAE Systems, and carried passengers for Air France and British Airways.
- Outside France, other preserved Concorde aircraft are making waves in exhibitions and restorations, such as G-BOAD in the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York.
- The legacy of the Concorde continues to inspire the aviation industry, with companies like Boom Supersonic working diligently to create new supersonic aircraft that embody the essence of the Concorde's revolutionary spirit.
