The last Concorde to ever take flight has a £19m (US$25m, €21.2m) new home following the launch of Aerospace Bristol – a museum created to explore the history of the British aviation industry.
The Purcell development, located on the site of the former Filton Airfield, is comprised of two refurbished World War One aircraft hangars, which have been transformed into a heritage museum with learning suites, archives and workshops. The last ever Concorde jet to be built, the aircraft takes centre stage inside a hangar that's purpose-built to showcase the engineering marvel.
The museum – funded in part by the Heritage Lottery Fund, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Airbus and South Gloucestershire Council – had been in the works since Concorde’s final flight in 2003 before opening its doors last week (17 October). In addition to Concorde, the museum houses a number of aerospace exhibits, including aeroplanes, helicopters, missiles, satellites and more.
The Concorde experience itself is hands-on, with visitors not only able to explore its history, but also able to step aboard the aircraft, where projections will show them what it was like to fly at twice the speed of sound.
Displays inside the museum feature a variety of exhibits, including Concorde menus, bottles of champagne, the uniforms worn by cabin crew and even a picture of the late actor Sir Roger Moore – famously known for portraying James Bond – inside the jet’s cockpit.
“Concorde, as always, has the power to amaze and looks stunning in her new home,” said Lloyd Burnell, executive director of Aerospace Bristol.
“We have created a first-class exhibition to tell the story of Bristol’s aerospace achievements from 1910 to the modern day, and there are great fun interactives to keep all members of the family interested and entertained.
“We hope that all those who saw Concorde on her final flight into Filton that historic day will want to be one of the first to come and pay tribute to this very special design and engineering icon and learn about the Bristol people who worked here over the years.”
