Imagine dog food playing a vital role in testing new toilets. This happened aboard Concorde G-BOAB. Prepare to delve into the story of this iconic aircraft.
Concorde G-BOAB, also known as Alpha Bravo, holds a special place in aviation history. It symbolizes the era of supersonic passenger flight. Although not open to the public, G-BOAB can be seen at Heathrow Airport in London. Many passengers see it daily, next to Runway 27L. You can spot her from Hatton Cross and Myrtle Avenue.
G-BOAB’s story is one of innovation, record-breaking flights and also, unfortunately, of a premature retirement. The British Aircraft Corporation built it in 1976. Its manufacturer’s serial number is 100-008. The aircraft first registered as G-BOAB on April 3rd, 1974.
The plane’s maiden flight occurred on May 18th, 1976. BAC test pilot Captain Eddie McNamara commanded the flight. It lasted 3 hours and 32 minutes. The flight went from Filton to Fairford. It reached a top speed of Mach 2.05 at 63,500 feet. Before delivery to British Airways, 12 other test flights took place.
British Airways received G-BOAB on January 14th, 1976. The flight from RAF Fairford lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes. Captain Tony Meadows and Captain Brian Walpole piloted it. They made touch-and-go landings at both London Gatwick and Heathrow.
G-BOAB set a distance record for an airliner on September 11th, 1984. It flew 4,565 miles from Washington to Nice. On November 16th, 1984, it flew the inaugural charter service. The route was from London to Seattle via New York.
On July 1st, 1988, David Beckham and other football stars flew on G-BOAB. They were bringing home the 1998 England World Cup squad from Nantes, France.
G-BOAB’s final flight was on August 15th, 2000, as BA002P from JFK to LHR. Captain Les Brodie was in command. This was a positioning flight back to Heathrow. It occurred before the fleet’s airworthiness certificates were officially removed. G-BOAB was next in line for an inter-check. It would have been the sixth BA aircraft back in service. British Airways only required five aircraft. Therefore, G-BOAB was never modified. It never flew again.
G-BOAB flew a total of 22,296 hours and 55 minutes. It completed 7,810 landings. Impressively, it had 6,688 supersonic flights.
After the Paris crash in 2000, G-BOAB was due for return-to-flight modifications. British Airways planned a full cabin upgrade. This was known as Project Rocket. The aircraft’s old interior was stripped out at BA Engineering Heathrow. New toilets and washrooms were test fitted. Believe it or not, they used dog food for testing the new toilets.
In 2004, BA gifted Concorde G-BOAB to BAA, the owner of Heathrow. This happened on January 21st. It was the 28th anniversary of Concorde’s entry into service. The condition was that it remained at Heathrow. It would serve as a symbol of British supersonic travel.
G-BOAB was placed on display near Runway 23. Airport workers nicknamed the area “Point Rocket”. In 2006, it was removed. Since then, it has not been properly displayed.
In November 2015, G-BOAB went to the paint shop for some TLC. Her front landing gear was repainted. The magazine ballast was removed.
Today, G-BOAB remains at Heathrow Airport. It is a reminder of the dreams that soared faster than the speed of sound. Though grounded, its legacy continues to inspire.