Hi guys
I've lived in Bristol for quite a few years now. I went to see Alpha Foxtrot touchdown in Filton 7 years ago, and have driven past it almost every day since. But today I took the plunge and spent my £12.50 on a trip to see her.
I believe this is the best Concorde display to this day. I've been to the ones BGI, NYC and MAN, but this one tops them all. All the volunteers who run the centre worked at Filton during the build years. They have so much information, and to this day have so much enthusiasm for her.
Our trip was booked for 1200. We had to conviene at the Bristol Aerospace Welfare Association centre round the corner where we would be bussed in. I believe there is only 30 people maximum for each tour, and it lasts approx 2 hours door to door.
On the coach we listened to a very interesting live commentary from one of the volunteers. They did a big tour of the Airbus facilities at Filton for around 30 minutes by coach. Was interesting to see a Transaero 747-200 VP-BQH in the old Concorde hangar having maintenance. I wanted to get a pic, but Airbus are very hot about people taking pics around the complex.
Here it was landing last week:
http://www.civilianaviation.co.uk/fo...hp?f=10&p=9922
Then we were bussed round to Alpha Foxtrot. We were split into 2 groups. 1 went up for the interior tour and the other was halved again and was led around the outside of her with a tour guide each. We went outside first. I could see the tour guide that walked us round had so much enthusiasm for the Concorde project. He was very cut up on the untimely demise, but without projecting that negativity onto the tour group. I won't go into the detail of what was explained during the tour, but I was amazed to see people aged from 7-70 enjoying what was said.
We then flipped with the other party, went upstairs and we sat down in 2A/B. The tour guide here asked 3 to 4 people at a time into the flight deck where we saw the famous trapped cap. After that we had a walk around the outside, then back in for a look at aft cabin.
Before I knew it, it was time to disembark and make our way to the coach. There is a gift shop with all proceeds to the charity that run it. They've even got the famous stirling silver cufflinks!
I believe the attraction is closing in the next couple of months so I encouarge you to get down there. 2 people even flew in to see it by Cessna direct to the airfield that we had to pick up en route!
Here's a few choice pics...
http://www.concordeatfilton.org.uk/