Concorde G-BOAF and a very happy grandson (Alexander)

Copyright: Andrew Shepherd

Concorde G-BOAF (216) was the last of the Concordes to be built, and the last aircraft to be built at Filton, the oldest aircraft factory in the world. Concorde 216 was really the last aeroplane built by the famous old Bristol Aircraft Company, even the Olympus 593 engines, the powerhouse of Concorde were Bristol engines, built and developed by the old company until the take over by Rolls-Royce.

Her first flight was on 20th April 1979 at Filton (Bristol), England. Concorde G-BOAF made the final fight of all the Concordes and closed the chapter on supersonic passenger travel, when she lifted off the London Heathrow runway for the final time and flew back to Filton, on November 26th 2003.



Hours Flown 18,257 Hrs
Landings 6,045
Supersonic Cycles 5,639

Bristol Britannia C1 'Rigel' XL657, RAF Gan, 1972 (Maldive Islands)


As a long range military transport aircraft the RAF Britannia C.Mk1 could lift eighteen and a half tons over 4,000+ miles, carrying freight only or up to 53 stretchers with medical personnel and life support equipment or a total 115 passengers … or a combination of all three. It was the RAF’s first strategic airlifter and a crucial component in the reshaping of Britain’s armed forces to meet the threats of the Cold War. Tasks included the rapid deployment worldwide of the then newly formed Army Strategic Reserve and also moving the V- Bomber Force detachments to the various dispersal airfields from their main bases in times of tension. The Britannia was flown jointly by 99 and 511 Squadrons, firstly at RAF Lyneham and later at Brize Norton. When the Britannia was withdrawn from service in 1975 as part of defence cuts, the Squadrons were stood down.


Bristol Britannia Flight Deck


Nicknamed the 'Whispering Giant', the Bristol Type 175 Britannia was a medium/long-range airliner built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company in 1952 to fly a number of air routes across the British Empire. Soon after entering production the engines proved unusually susceptible to icing, and two prototypes were lost while solutions to the problems were found. By the time it was cleared through testing the US-built jet airliners were about to enter service, and only eighty-five Britannias were built before production ended in 1960. Nevertheless the Britannia is often considered the high point in turboprop airliner design.

Displayed at Bristol Aerospace Museum , Filton, Bristol