Ultra-rare Concorde! British Airways Concorde G-BFKW (c/n 214) about to lift off from runway 28R on flight BA171 at London Heathrow
Concorde - the ultimate 'Speedbird' - only 20 aircraft were built including the six prototypes. Such an elegant aircraft! British Airways Concorde G-BFKW (G-BOAG) (c/n 214) is seen here about to lift off from runway 28R on BA171 at London Heathrow. One of my favourite and rarest Concorde shots - G-BFKW only flew with British Airways from February to April 1980. The aircraft was loaned as of 6th February 1980 on a sale or return agreement to cover a 6 month period, while G-BOAC was being repaired at Filton. Note the lack of cheatline on this aircraft - a hybrid livery. After an aborted flight to New York on 26th April 1980, G-BFKW was grounded with a water contaminated hydraulic system. The aircraft did not fly again for the best part of a year. The aircraft finally returned to British Airways service on 9th February 1981, but re-registered as G-BOAG. It still seems hard to believe that these fine aircraft are no longer flying in and out of Heathrow - they made a great spectacle over the years. Concorde 214 history: - First Registered as G-BFKW on 27th January 1978 to British Aerospace. - After manufacture and with no buyer, the aircraft was loaned via a sale or return agreement to British Airways, to cover a 6 month period, while G-BOAC was being repaired at Filton. - Flew for a short while as G-BFKW with British Airways. - Re-registered as G-BOAG by British Airways on 9th February 1981. - Flypast in the new 'Landor' livery with the Red Arrows at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 1985. [see link below to another of my photos] - Final flight from New York on 24th October 2003 - before joining G-BOAE and G-BOAF on a low circuit of London and then touching down at Heathrow together to mark the last day of Concorde commercial flights. - Final flight from JFK across northern Canada to Seattle - 5th Nov 2003 - Retired from service and now preserved at the Museum of Flight, Seattle
Size: 3765px × 2047px
Location: Heathrow Airport, London, UK
Photo credit: © Chris McKee / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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