The Last Concorde at Heathrow –...

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The British Airways Concorde fleet was once a regular sight at London Heathrow Airport thanks to the various daily flights operated by the airline.

In all, BA had seven of the type in its fleet that were used on scheduled services to New York and Washington DC, as well as other destinations over the course of almost 28 years.

For passengers, the celebrity and quality of the onboard service was second-to-none (not to mention the vastly reduced travel time across the Atlantic!).

And for enthusiasts, or indeed anyone with eyes, the sight of Concorde taking off with afterburners on, or swooping in to land with its nose drooped, was sure to always draw attention.

Then, when Concorde ceased flying the fleet was scattered and we could only see them – now static and tied to the ground – in museums around the world.

But one aircraft refused to leave, and is still at Heathrow 22 years later.

The Story of Alpha Bravo

Alpha Bravo in service at Heathrow in 1984. Photo (c) Mike McBey

G-BOAB was the third of the Concorde fleet delivered to British Airways.

It first flew in May 1976, and was delivered to the airline on 30th September that year. According to the Concorde SST site, the aircraft made touch-and-go landings at both London Gatwick and Heathow as part of its delivery flight, but for what reason we’re not sure!

Then began a 22 year career in which G-BOAB, or Alpha Bravo, served British Airways across its network, completing some 7,810 landings and 6,688 supersonic flights.

Its final service was from London Heathrow to New York JFK in August 2000, shortly after the crash of the Air France Concorde in Paris. Concorde was subject to a Certificate of Airworthiness suspension which came into effect on 16th August 2000 and Alpha Bravo was flown back from New York to Heathrow on an empty positioning flight the day before this took place.

A Braniff Interlude

Many of you will know, both British Airways and Air France entered into an agreement with US carrier Braniff International to operate Concorde flights between Washington Dulles and Dallas Fort Worth airports.

These services used Braniff cockpit and cabin crews, with British Airways supplying observer captains and engineers on their aircraft.

Whilst the Concordes were never repainted for the services, the aircraft did receive temporary US registrations for the flights. In the case of G-BOAB, it became N-94AB.

The services flew between 1979 and 1980.

Retirement at Heathrow

Photo (c) Mark Harkin

When the Certificate of Airworthiness directive came into force, it required modifications to be undertaken to allow Concorde aircraft to fly safely without risk of a repeat of the crash conditions in Paris.

Part of this saw kevlar lining inserted into the fuel tanks to prevent leaks which could ignite.

G-BOAB, once returned to Heathrow, was in line to receive this modification work. However, during the grounding British Airways reevaluated its Concorde operations and realised it only needed five aircraft to fly its schedules and charter services.

As a result, modifications were not completed on G-BOAB and it remained grounded at London Heathrow never to fly again.

Preservation?

G-BOAB at Heathrow. Photo (c) Alan Wilson

Since effectively being abandoned, Alpha Bravo has remained at the British Airways maintenance facility at the eastern end of London Heathrow airport.

Usually parked close to the end of runway 27L, it is easily visible from aircraft taxying past, as well as from the windows of terminals 2 and 4, and from the busy A30 road passing the southern perimeter.

Occasionally the aircraft moves around, to make space for other aircraft, or to receive maintenance and washing.

For a while it was intended that Alpha Bravo be preserved at a museum or even inside the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow when it was opened. There was speculation that it might be sent to Dubai as a tourist attraction, or be put on display in central London near the London Eye.

To date, none of this has happened and the aircraft remains on site with an undertain future.

Donor Aircraft

G-BBDG at Brooklands.

When Concorde prototype G-BBDG was moved to the Bruntingthorpe Museum in Weybridge, Surrey, parts were needed to fit out the interior and cockpit in order to put it on display and present it as passengers might have experienced Concorde.

It is understood that Alpha Bravo became the donor source for many of the parts on this restoration project, which admittedly looks superb. However, it has reportedly left the interior of G-BOAB an empty shell.

What would you like to see happen to G-BOAB – the last Concorde at Heathrow? What would be a fitting tribute? Leave a comment below!

Title image: Mark Skarratts

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