Explore the world of Concorde with Heritage Concorde
Imperial War Museum
Duxford Airfield, Duxford, Cambridge, CB22 4QR
Pre-Production test Concorde G-AXDN
VISIT A CONCORDE BEING BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY OUR ENGINEERS
This Concorde was the first in the UK to have her droop nose restored and in an operating condition since retirement in 2003. Our work on this aircraft has also seen the flight deck instrument lights and captions restored aswell.
Concorde G-AXDN forms part of the Duxford Aviation Society British Airliner Collection and is proudly on display in the Airspace hangar at IWM Duxford. Museum entry tickets include access to Concorde.
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The British and French pre-production aircraft had several changes in design compared to the earlier prototype Concordes. These consist of a lengthened fuselage, smaller passenger cabin windows, a new glazed visor design and the aircraft were fitted with the Olympus 593-4 or 593 Mk 602. The pre-production aircraft were used to further develop the design of the final production aircraft. Other changes to the design included a different wing plan form that of the prototypes, a larger fuel capacity, and different air intake systems. Both the two pre-production Concordes differed in size and design from each other, the French one which built last, being close to the final production design.
G-AXDN flew faster than any other Concorde!
You are able to view this airframe from below and above thanks to a platform within the hanger. It is also possible to visit the interior at selected times. The Duxford Aviation Society are doing a super job looking after this airframe, she is in wonderful condition and shows no signs of her age. While onboard G-AXDN, you will have a chance to view the flight deck, and view all the amazing research equipment that is still in place from the Concorde development days, she is so well looked after that you could even begin to feel that Mr Brian Trubshaw, the notable top BAC test Pilot and the last man to fly this Concorde, was about to board her for a test flight.
Concorde G-AXDN is one of two airframes known as a pre-production Concorde. She was used to further develop the design of the production aircraft that would be finally delivered to the airlines for commercial service. The changes made to the pre-production design compared to the two prototypes included a different wing plan form, more fuel capacity, different engine design standard, different air intake systems etc. G-AXDN was the first aircraft to be fitted with the new nose and glass visor design seen on all production Concordes today. She also flew higher and faster than any other Concorde history. (This is not to be confused with the fastest crossing from New York to London by BA Concorde G-BOAD).
Concorde G-AXDN differs in design from the other French built pre-production Concorde 02, F-WTSA. So she is rather unique and therefore well worth a visit, as you will see nothing like her in design anywhere in the world.
A Brief History of the Duxford Aviation Society
Duxford Aviation Society is a purely volunteer group which came into being in 1975 and is a partner organisation with the Imperial War Museum. The Society exists to preserve historically important British civil aircraft, to support the Imperial War Museum, and to promote knowledge of the development of British civil aviation through a policy of acquisition and restoration. With the passage of time this aim has been widened to include other preservation projects such as military vehicles. The Society maintains its own civil airliner collection and opens some of these aircraft to the public on a daily basis. The Military Vehicle Wing regularly presents demonstrations of tanks and other vehicles based at Duxford. In association with the IWM the Society launched The Friends of Duxford (FOD) in January 1999. Membership is open to everyone wishing to support the work of the IWM and the Society. Members not only have unrivalled access to exhibits and parts of the Museum not open to the public, but also the opportunity to take part in special events around the country. Exclusive facilities are available to members on Duxford airshow days.The Society has been the umbrella organisation for volunteers at Duxford for many years. Members are involved not only in the Society’s own conservation and associated projects but also work on IWM projects and with the private owners based on the airfield. They are active in other partner organisations like the Friends of Duxford and the Duxford Radio Society and also staff the popular volunteers’ canteen. The Society is a registered charity and most of its funds come from the public, from donations or as a result of services provided to the Museum. New members are always welcome
