In August 1987 I was on holiday in the South of France when I was asked if I could jump on a plane and escort some journalists on a trip to Northern Ireland.
When I arrived at Heathrow to catch the Belfast shuttle we were all gobsmacked to learn that instead of a 757 we would be travelling on Concorde. Ulsterman David Burnside who was then BA’s Director of Public Affairs and Lord King’s right hand man had made the arrangements.
After a while the captain asked if we wanted to go Supersonic. Everybody but me said yes and suddenly we were heading down the Bristol Channel at 700 and something mph.
Arriving over Belfast we were stacked for quite a while apparently because the Red Arrows were doing their stuff over Aldergrove. Eventually I thought we had lined up for landing but instead we ended up doing a flypast for the crowds.
I seem to recall we came down a little heavily but I’m not sure now after all these years. Apparently, I was told afterwards, we ended up being in a bit of a hurry as we had run below the permitted fuel level for our alternate.
All that took place on Saturday the 22nd August 1987. I can’t seem to find any mention of this particular Air Show or the Concorde visit (which I think was quite a rarity) on the net.
I wonder if anybody can tell me where I might find a photo of Concorde in action over, or on the tarmac of, Aldergrove from that time.
Thanks
Ian
By: belfastknox - 22nd August 2014 at 21:41
i have a couple of photos inside Concorde and one out side I was on Concorde that day, link to photo on the day https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=photos+of+concord+in+ulster+show+1987&espv=2&tbm=isch&imgil=c1opCitOTQA9HM%253A%253Bxw9yZiC29a1hcM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fforum.keypublishing.com%25252Fshowthread.php%25253F78288-Aldergrove-Air-Fair-22nd-August-1987-Concorde-Flypast&source=iu&usg=__A8RdeUMxNcQl5CL-DGaN_tvVSu4%3D&sa=X&ei=bqr3U9bJF_PH7AaqqoDgAQ&ved=0CCUQ9QEwAQ&biw=1440&bih=785#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=c1opCitOTQA9HM%253A%3Bxw9yZiC29a1hcM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fforum.keypublishing.com%252Fattachment.php%253Fattachmentid%253D197343%2526d%253D1310467945%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fforum.keypublishing.com%252Fshowthread.php%253F78288-Aldergrove-Air-Fair-22nd-August-1987-Concorde-Flypast%3B2821%3B1919 [email]belfastbobknox@googlemail.com[/email]
So, after much digging I have got hold of the newspapers (specifically the Belfast Telegraph and the Newsletter) from the day of the show.
No photos of Concorde, only a photo of a chap landing his Piper Cub on a truck – I remember that – and a long article telling us that the airshow meant lots of delays for holiday makers, as well as the Spanish Air Traffic Controller strike that was due on the same day. A short list of visiting aircraft mentions the Red Arrows and various other RAF types.
Once I get a chance I will scan the front page of the Belfast Telegraph and post it here.
By: Ian Sayer - 18th April 2011 at 08:11
Many thanks John. I’ll look forward to seeing them.
Regards
Ian
By: turrettek - 17th April 2011 at 13:50
Aldergrove airshow(s)
I think I was at two Aldergrove airshows, took pics. of the Merchantman etc., might even have the programmes somewhere. Was the first and only time I’d ever seen a Vulcan in flight, might be able to find some Concord pics. from a mate who was also there.
John
UAS member
By: Ian Sayer - 17th April 2011 at 09:01
Thanks very much indeed RoadRacer. A very interesting link.
Michael – Thank you very much for your offer which I would like to accept. I have sent you a private message but if you don’t receive it just let me know via this thread. A video would be absolutely great! Thanks again
Ian
By: Trickshot - 10th August 2009 at 21:19
Newspapers of the day
So here it is. Poor quality photocopy but a memento of the day nonetheless. I remember we didn’t pay to get in, instead parked at the side of the road in the sunshine, seemingly like a gazillion other people.
By: Cherry Ripe - 24th July 2009 at 15:59
I have several boxes of negatives through which to search for The Pointed One, but in the meantime here is a battered print of two of the participants; Iolar and G-TNTA.
The 146 had been parked-up in the static with its lower-hold doors open for display. Nearby was the Merchantman with its port forward freight door open and a curious antique lorry raised to deck-level on a scissor lift. No doubt it made sense to someone.
By: Cherry Ripe - 24th July 2009 at 14:42
I wonder if anybody can tell me where I might find a photo of Concorde in action over, or on the tarmac of, Aldergrove from that time.
Hi Ian,
I was at the Aldergrove show as a rather keen 11 year old and have a photo of the Concorde flypast *somewhere* in the roofspace. Give me a couple of days and I’ll dig it out and scan it, though I can’t guarantee that it’s even in focus! IIRC it was G-BOAG.
Also at the show that I recall were a Merchantman ( “Ajax” ), a TNT 146QT, a pair of A-10s and Aer Lingus’ Dragon.
More soon.
By: Trickshot - 24th July 2009 at 10:33
Ulster Air Show
So, after much digging I have got hold of the newspapers (specifically the Belfast Telegraph and the Newsletter) from the day of the show.
No photos of Concorde, only a photo of a chap landing his Piper Cub on a truck – I remember that – and a long article telling us that the airshow meant lots of delays for holiday makers, as well as the Spanish Air Traffic Controller strike that was due on the same day. A short list of visiting aircraft mentions the Red Arrows and various other RAF types.
Once I get a chance I will scan the front page of the Belfast Telegraph and post it here.
By: Ian Sayer - 12th April 2009 at 13:02
OK Trickshot.
Many thanks
Ian
By: Trickshot - 4th October 2008 at 12:11
I have been researching information on the Aldergrove air fair for a long time – I attended it that year aged 18 before I left N.I for good. I have wonderful memories about it (I didn’t fly on concorde but the aircraft displays were the best in my memory) and have been researching ways to find any photographs of the event. I was quite an airplane fan when I was younger but could not afford a camera, so I have no record of that day and the wonderful aircraft that came (I seem to remember a vintage meteor/vampire pair, a seahawk, plenty of DC3s and lots more)
I have searched all the usual sites like airliners.net and their ilk, no joy. I did recently come across a Radio Ulster broadcast that gave me further hope that there are other people out there who remember it.
The link is here and will need realplayer to listen to the story.
My next try will be the local newspapers but this is made more difficult since I now live in France. I will let you know if I find anything relevant to your own request.
Cheers
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February 7, 2008 at 6:02 pm