When WWII was coming to an end, the aeronautical industry had one certainty: It would be easier for the U.S. to convert its production capability into civilian products. Long range bombers were quickly transformed into airliners and that posed a threat to European builders that had been mostly focused on the fighter aircraft. By the mid-50s, the trend was clear: Boeing, Lockheed, and McDonnell Douglas relentlessly dominated the civilian transport market worldwide. The UK had attempted to stun the market…
"She Flies! She Flies!" is the first sound that most people remember about this day 50 years ago. Raymond Baxter, the BBC's anchor that was covering the event shouted in excitement while the four Snecma Olympus 593 engines delivered full thrust and the Aerospatiale/BAC Concorde left the runway and was…
In each and every conversation about aircraft, her name comes up. And it is her name, because unavoidably, it has become the symbol of commercial aviation worldwide. Its beautiful design is without a doubt the most recognizable among scores of airplanes from all ages. You can debate about the efficiency…
