Concorde, the Most Famous Plane in the World

Jean-Marc Olivier ()
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Jean-Marc Olivier: FRAMESPA - France, Amériques, Espagne, Sociétés, Pouvoirs, Acteurs - UPVD - Université de Perpignan Via Domitia - UT2J - Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès - UT - Université de Toulouse - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

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Abstract: Concorde, with its smooth lines, droop nose and delta wings was easily recognizable among civil aircraft in the late twentieth century, which all tended to resemble each other. More precisely, Concorde had specific "neogothic" delta wings, which formed a kind of wave rather than a regular triangle arrow. They were the only ones that could resist the requirements of supersonic flights that generated a strong drag. With the exception of the Tupolev Tu-144, no other commercial aircraft had this type of wingspan. But the Tu-144 did not travel the world like Concorde. Finally, in terms of image and identification by the general public, its only competition was the Boeing 747, with its characteristic hump, and, more recently, by the Airbus A380, with its double deck and thus double row of windows. This popularity began very early on, early Sunday morning March 2, 1969, the large crowds gathered around the Blagnac runway. All the local officials were very much present, as well as the many aviation enthusiasts from the Toulouse region and elsewhere. Some did not hesitate to travel hundreds of kilometres in order to be there. The lucky ones, who often worked in the aeronautics field, were able to benefit from a "service card" allowing them access to two strategic locations ideal for observing the first flight: the "farmhouse" building and the air terminal terraces. All described a great moment of emotion and a long silence at take-off, including from the journalists who came from all over the world. The flight was broadcast live by many television channels. - The small screen's sweetheart - On the front page of the international press - Such a photogenic "beautiful bird" - An icon of the air with a tragic destiny - A jewel envied by many museums

Keywords: aeronautics; aeronautics industry; Concorde; Bristol; Toulouse; Sud-Aviation; Aérospatiale; British Aircraft Corporation; BAC; Air France; British Airways (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Published in 1969, First Flight of the Concorde, Éditions Midi-Pyrénéennes, 2018, 979-10-93498-33-1

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-02151223

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