Happy belated birthday Concorde

"You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much" (youcantellafinn) 01/24/2014 at 09:51 • Filed to: PLANELOPNIK, CONCORDE

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Turns out Concorde had its !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Or 21/1/1976 if you're not American. Such a beautiful plane and I'm glad I actually got to see a couple in the wild. Not that I ever so much as boarded one, but a couple times I saw one parked on the tarmac while taxiing past in cattle class or riding by in an airport tram. But I have to say that I'm a little bit ashamed that Oppo missed this birthday.

The supersonic Concorde jet was only in passenger service for 27 years after its first commercial flight on Jan. 21, 1976, but it left quite a mark on travelers – especially those who now long for a more luxurious flying experience. Flights on that first day took passengers from London Heathrow to Bahrain and from Paris to Rio de Janeiro.

For travelers, the appeal of the Concorde was that flights were frequently only one-third as long as on regular planes. The jets would dart back and forth across the Atlantic, to Mexico and Latin America, and from Europe to Asia. The fastest-ever crossing from New York to London was completed in 2 hours, 52 minutes and 59 seconds. That's barely enough time to even watch a movie.

Those wings. That shape is the sex. Imma just sit at my desk for a few minutes after I post this.

Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/24/2014 at 09:55

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I've had the pleasure of touring the Concorde that is on display at the Museum of Flight here in Seattle. I knew it was going to be cramped inside, but the flight attendants had to have been hobbits to work in those damn things!

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/24/2014 at 10:00

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When these were decommissioned I think society digressed a bit. Why hasn't something comparable come about? Most likely since the air industry is dying and runs a lot closer to margin these days.

Slave2anMG > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/24/2014 at 10:06

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I remember watching one take off from Dulles in August 1979...damned impressive. And flying into Heathrow there were almost always several around the BA maintenance area...very very cool.

Svend > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/24/2014 at 10:12

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My dad flew on one of these before I was born. British Aerospace had gave two tickets to fly but my mother was too far pregnant to fly on it. My father being my father thought rather than two tickets go to waste used his and flew on it while my mother took a 747. I know, great dad. :( But this aircraft stuck with me and my mother a one of our favourite pieces of music was Frank Pourcel's Concorde. Which starts with the sound of a Concorde flying over head.

She'll always be remembered as an aircraft far far ahead of her time.

Happy birthday young lady.

AndersSim - V10'ING > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/24/2014 at 11:09

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I think what you just pointed out yourself, is the only reason why we'll never see a machine like this in the industry for many many many years to come. SADLY.

JACU - I've got bonifides. > You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much 01/24/2014 at 11:38

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I once saw one land at Miami. Was the most beautiful aeronautical event I've ever witnessed.

Saf1 > Slave2anMG 01/24/2014 at 13:53

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Very pleasantly surprised at the 2nd pic. I didn't think I'd ever see more than a few together! :)

Saf1 > Dukie - Jalopnik Emergency Management Asshole 01/24/2014 at 13:56

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Just been looking on Images, they have the most car-like seats I've seen in a plane! Very Oppo :) Though there seem to be different interiors in other pics, this is the one:

Saf1 > Svend 01/24/2014 at 13:59

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How come they got those tickets? How come it was usable on another aircraft? And why was your mum able to not fly on the Concorde if she could the 747? SO CURIOUS :D

Saf1 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 01/24/2014 at 14:03

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It's also sad if you consider that the McLaren F1 was the equivalent of the Concorde in cars and that stood 13 years as the ultimate road car (of the same vein), but I don't think we will ever see anything like the Concorde again :|

Well, the next milestone is going to be passengers to the moon but it won't be accessible (the Concorde was fairly elite but was much more than what will probably be about 20 non-astronauts a year going to space)

Svend > Saf1 01/24/2014 at 14:12

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My dad worked for British Aerospace and flights were essentially free to us between homes. My mother was told that due to her late stage of pregnancy the altitude would be an issue. I can't see how but thats what my mother said and I've no reason to think she wasn't telling the truth. My dad got a few souvenirs from the flight but my mother was still pretty pi55ed with him for making her fly home alone.