Concorde opening at Brooklands

Great to see, massive job!
Must organise a visit to Brooklands some time, to see the ex-Channel Airways Viking as well.

I could incite a riot by asking if it will fly….but I won’t! 😀

Super job.
Well done guys!

Just a quick note – the Brooklands Concorde is a fantastic example of all that is best about volunteer restorations. These guys turned a virtual wreck into a fully fitted out aircraft, with a highly professional display. It beats many restorations carried out by national museums – hands down. While they still have a way to go, I hope they will be able to put their evident skills to use elsewhere in the fullness of time.

If there were awards for this sort of thing, Gordon and his team would win hands down – perhaps the BAPC should be looking at something to recognise truly meritorious work (is that a word?!)

Bruce

thanks

A lot of that stuff was duplicated (correctly) above, so could be deleted.

Hi gordo!
Spelling corrections here:
The two production test aircraft (201 and 202) were different in many ways from their four predecessors, necessitating repeating certain work to obtain certification. It was really these two aircraft that did the bulk of the flying that allowed the final certification of Concorde for airline service. However, even though called production aircraft, they never went into service because the final version, as specified by the airlines, was different yet again, although not in a way that affected handling or performance certification.
To protect their investment and keep prying eyes off what was very quickly becoming an eyesore, British Airways constructed a special hangar for G-BBDG. The “202 hangar” as it is affectionately known, was completed in early 1988. The aircraft (minus tail fin) was moved inside in May 1988.
As the aircraft was structurally sound, British Airways investigated, in the early 90’s, the possibility of refitting for airline service. This would allow the airline to keep a fleet of six or seven serviceable aircraft during engineering checks. The plan was found to be too costly and was rejected, although the study proved that if one of the seven BA aircraft suffered serious damage, parts from the damaged (and written-off) aircraft could be fitted to 202 and the airframe used to bring the fleet back up to strength, but there were doubts on certification, due to the fuselage skin being slightly thinner.

slight shame about the numerous typo’s contained in the text,

that’s cause i can’t spell!! Please let me know the ones that bug you and i’ll fix!

Seriously guys, thanks for all your comments, its been a real team effort. I hope you find the time to visit.

The restoration work continues over the coming years with the elevons and buckets waiting to be fitted, plus treatment and painting the underside of the wings soon to get underway

I have to say I’m very impressed at the attention lavished on this example – the restoration from the ground up is amazing…. So nice to see a large civil airliner being treated this way – after the recent controversy over certain “preserved” UK airliners. I had a good browse through the website too – slight shame about the numerous typo’s contained in the text, but the overall content certainly shows the great sense of pride Brooklands have in their Concorde… Big pat on the back to the team that restored her.

Well done to all concerned.

Yes she did fly – you can read about her history on Gordo’s excellent website:
Brooklands Concorde

many thanks, a very significant example indeed…

Yes she did fly – you can read about her history on Gordo’s excellent website:
Brooklands Concorde

Looks fantastic, especially in the Early BA scheme, did this Concorde ever Fly?

Lets hope she has a long happy stay at Brooklands, unlike Solent Skies Sea Vixen! 😡

Hobby horse of mine…..

Do Brooklands have any plans to get the airlinners under cover?

Steve.

Yes, as soon as the funds are raised …

Has the interior/cockpit been re-built or is this going to be a work in progress over the next few years?.

Regards,

John.

Toby,

Many thanks!
Do you know what amazes me is that no-one seemed to run, screaming, in the other direction away from this task (or if they did, they’re not telling! 😉 ) – the before and after pictures tell/show quite a story!

The Brooklands website has been updated –

http://www.brooklandsconcorde.com/

TobyV, please post some “before” pictures.
I’ve seen some on http://www.concordesst.com/ and the transformation is amazing. They’ve done an incredible job!

As requested:

Former Concorde Pilot Christopher Orlebar being interviewed

DG’s cockpit (right and the fatigue test nose (left)

DG’s wings (less the outer sections, leading edges, control surfaces and all access panels.

Aft fuselage being craned into position alongside the forward fuselage

Rather gutted cockpit photographed through missing DV window

Looking forward towards the cockpit, notice severed cabling below the floor, missing wall panels and mess of cabling hanging down from the ceiling

Hobby horse of mine…..

Do Brooklands have any plans to get the airlinners under cover?

Steve.

The Brooklands website has been updated –

http://www.brooklandsconcorde.com/

TobyV, please post some “before” pictures.
I’ve seen some on http://www.concordesst.com/ and the transformation is amazing. They’ve done an incredible job!

great pictures, she sure looks good.

she opens to public for tours on Aug 1st

We’ve got a fantastic AV sequence in forward cabin that takes you an a virtual flight….just don’t look out the window

in the Aft cabin is a custom designed exhibition and video telling the story of G-BBDG