Let's face it, most of this week is 'me-now-views', so you're not missing out. Where was I?
Oh yes. Horripilation and coming all over a-shiver and weak-kneed in the presence of Alpha-Alpha. There were other items in the hanger, and I will get to those, but let us concentrate on the swan first. For that is what one is reminded of by this aircraft.
Some of the cabinets held items used for the passengers. There was no cattle class on this flyer, oh no. Business and First Class all the way.
The blankets were particularly lush. The tartan was lovely, but for understated classic style, the buff with stripes caught my eye. There were examples of the different seating used, a tyre which could be fondled touched, a couple of other interactive exhibits, a 'cut-away' display of the toilet facilities, and there was a 12-minute film of A-A being brought to Edinburgh, with clips of pilots and crew who flew in her.
I could continue to wax lyrical, but am mostly going to let the pictures do the talking now.
Just a few facts about A-A:
First registered in 1974
First flight in 1975
Flew 22768 hours
Landed (and therefore took off) 8064 times
Broke sound barrier 6842 times.
Last flight, 12th August 2000 JFK to LHR.
Was then kept at Heathrow and used for spare parts on other Concordes. Then came the indignity of being stripped down for transport to East Linton before, finally, being honoured as she continues to be. (For the keen, this page is fab.)
It's an interesting fact that there are more US astronauts than Concorde pilots, quite a legacy.
Yes, the father climbed those steps and walked through with me. I have to say that internally, there was definitely a sense of claustrophobia! One had the feeling of being a bit of toothpaste getting squeezed into the tube! There wasn't even an actual galley for the cabin crew, everything happened on the aisle. A last lingering look at the business end of things - tomorrow, more about the ducks sitting around the swan.
Oh yes. Horripilation and coming all over a-shiver and weak-kneed in the presence of Alpha-Alpha. There were other items in the hanger, and I will get to those, but let us concentrate on the swan first. For that is what one is reminded of by this aircraft.
The blankets were particularly lush. The tartan was lovely, but for understated classic style, the buff with stripes caught my eye. There were examples of the different seating used, a tyre which could be  |
| Sorry this is not as clear as I'd hoped... click here for more about Barbara Harmer. |
Just a few facts about A-A:
First registered in 1974
First flight in 1975
Flew 22768 hours
Landed (and therefore took off) 8064 times
Broke sound barrier 6842 times.
Last flight, 12th August 2000 JFK to LHR.
Was then kept at Heathrow and used for spare parts on other Concordes. Then came the indignity of being stripped down for transport to East Linton before, finally, being honoured as she continues to be. (For the keen, this page is fab.)
It's an interesting fact that there are more US astronauts than Concorde pilots, quite a legacy.
Yes, the father climbed those steps and walked through with me. I have to say that internally, there was definitely a sense of claustrophobia! One had the feeling of being a bit of toothpaste getting squeezed into the tube! There wasn't even an actual galley for the cabin crew, everything happened on the aisle. A last lingering look at the business end of things - tomorrow, more about the ducks sitting around the swan.
Oh my stars....I've always wondered about the Concorde and how it must have looked in the cockpit to be such a super duper fast plane. Thank you for all the photos up close and personal.
ReplyDeleteHugs C and healing kitty kisses from madi
Whoa, those are some very complicated looking parts to us. Glad we don't have to count on planes to get us places:)
ReplyDeleteHugs and Woos - Lightning, Misty, and Timber
i did not know it was that far back. I could not ride in that plane at all. when I saw the inside I started to hyperventilate. you are so right, tube of tooth paste. yowsa.... that cockpit is so tiny and I am thinking a large person could not walk down that aisle. thanks for the look inside.
ReplyDeleteHi Yamini!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful welcome to Blogville. We will be such great furiends. Gosh, I wanna poke my snooter onto every one of those controls in that cockpit. BOL Vrrrroom into the sky.
Scooter
OMG...Just heard about your accident! OUCH! We wish you a very speedy recovery and hope that it isn't broken. Sending love and hugs..
ReplyDelete♥♥♥♥♥
I was the first female Captain at the airline I worked for. I remembering male passengers seeing me in the cockpit and electing to disembark (good luck gents the next flight isn't for six hours). One of my fondest mementos was a letter from an executive for a big utility company in California who flew with me a lot that sent me a note that my landings "were like landing on a cloud". I still have that.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better soon!
I'm no fan of airplanes and flying but I have to admit that I always had a very bad feeling when we saw the plane with the long beak... maybe I once swallowed a crystal ball and knew from the inside that it will end with a bang. I love the stoty of the female captain if I read about such fab woman I always have this "yay girl power" thing in my head ;O) POTP and hugs to ya...
ReplyDeleteHi Yam - I remember Concorde and its time ... it's an amazing aeroplane ... and yes everyone raved about it - and 'desired to ride on it' ... I'd like to take a trip around it - one day perhaps ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI'll have to show these to JB!!!!
ReplyDeletebeautiful piece of machinery. A long way from Kitty Hawk days! Thanks so for sharing this special visit. namaste, janice xx
ReplyDelete