G-BOAC was always going to be a bit special for me..
Note only was Concorde 204 the flagship of the British Airways fleet, is was the Concorde I flew back from New York to London in May 2003. Alpha Charlie*is displayed at the Manchester Runway Visitor Park in a small purpose built Hangar. Alpha Charlie is not the most accessible of the retired Concordes as it is operated as a Conference and Wedding Venue – Yes Really !* As a Result you need to book one of the tours which includes a visit to the aircraft to get inside the hangar and take a look around.
The Tours are recommended however, I did the “Technical Tour” which was interesting; but is still aimed at “normal people” rather than real AvGeeks such as myself (modest I know!) This tour includes a walk from nose to tail of the aircraft where*various aspects of the design are explained, a chance to sit in the front cabin still in it’s final BA blue Connolly leather*interior and a cockpit tour.
The short cockpit tour is well worth the admission, as you get to sit in the Captains seat and admire close up the very best of 1960’s engineering. I just happened to have my *Theta camera with me, so you can experience the cockpit below.
A aircraft retired for nearly*13 years does not have the same sense of excitement or anticipation as a living machine, so even though I sat in 6D once again, it did not really bring back the emotions of that amazing trip*2003.
G-BOAC Then and NowI*enjoyed* talking to some of the team looking after Alpha Charlie which*arrived *in Manchester October 2003, like all of the British Airways operated Concordes it is still owned by the Airline and maintenance is their responsibility *– so a broken windscreen in front of the First Officers seat remains broken until someone from Heathrow can come to fix it.. I would guess the last BA licensed Concorde engineer has retired !
G-BOAC JFK-LHR May 29th 2003
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Note only was Concorde 204 the flagship of the British Airways fleet, is was the Concorde I flew back from New York to London in May 2003. Alpha Charlie*is displayed at the Manchester Runway Visitor Park in a small purpose built Hangar. Alpha Charlie is not the most accessible of the retired Concordes as it is operated as a Conference and Wedding Venue – Yes Really !* As a Result you need to book one of the tours which includes a visit to the aircraft to get inside the hangar and take a look around.
The Tours are recommended however, I did the “Technical Tour” which was interesting; but is still aimed at “normal people” rather than real AvGeeks such as myself (modest I know!) This tour includes a walk from nose to tail of the aircraft where*various aspects of the design are explained, a chance to sit in the front cabin still in it’s final BA blue Connolly leather*interior and a cockpit tour.
The short cockpit tour is well worth the admission, as you get to sit in the Captains seat and admire close up the very best of 1960’s engineering. I just happened to have my *Theta camera with me, so you can experience the cockpit below.
Post from RICOH THETA. - Spherical Image - RICOH THETA
A aircraft retired for nearly*13 years does not have the same sense of excitement or anticipation as a living machine, so even though I sat in 6D once again, it did not really bring back the emotions of that amazing trip*2003.
G-BOAC Then and NowI*enjoyed* talking to some of the team looking after Alpha Charlie which*arrived *in Manchester October 2003, like all of the British Airways operated Concordes it is still owned by the Airline and maintenance is their responsibility *– so a broken windscreen in front of the First Officers seat remains broken until someone from Heathrow can come to fix it.. I would guess the last BA licensed Concorde engineer has retired !
G-BOAC JFK-LHR May 29th 2003
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