Piece of aviation history: Last EVER Concorde comes to rest in Bristol
THE last ever supersonic Concorde to be built has finally come to rest as the centrepiece of a new aviation museum in Bristol.
Concorde lands for a final time into Heathrow Airport
The iconic plane which could fly at twice the speed of sound - number 216 and registration G-BOAF - was the last of 20 to be built, made its final flight on November 26, 2003 when it returned to its home in Bristol at Filton Airfield, where it has remained since.
But now the plane has travelled just 800m at walking pace to its final destination when it was towed across the airfield to a new purpose-built hangar.
Concorde being unwrapped in its new Bristol home
The plane had originally been wrapped in hundreds of metres of thick film to protect the plane whilst the new hangar was being constructed with the plane being unwrapped yesterday in all its glory.
Lloyd Burnell, executive director of Aerospace Bristol, said: "It's fantastic to see Concorde unwrapped and looking stunning in her brand new home.
Concorde being unwrapped
"As the centrepiece of Aerospace Bristol's exhibition, Concorde will inspire the next generation to pursue careers in engineering and develop the big ideas of tomorrow.
"We can't wait to welcome our first visitors on board this summer."
Concorde wrapped in its protective sheets
Andrew Orchard, the chief executive of Packexe, the company responsible for wrapping the plane, said: "We pride ourselves on innovation and have over 25 years' experience of using our technology and expertise.
"Although we usually supply protective film for various industries, we are always ready to meet a new challenge.
Concorde is unwrapped
"So when Aerospace Bristol, one of our favourite charities, asked us to wrap Concorde to protect her from the final stages of building works - how could we refuse?"
The new museum in Bristol opens this summer.