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Barbados is justly proud in presenting to visitors British Airways Concorde G-BOAE, or Alpha Echo, now housed in a state-of-the-art exhibition centre adjacent to the Grantley Adams International Airport.
Taking off from London's Heathrow Airport at 9.00am every week, Concorde thrilled its passengers - including some of the world's most rich, famous and celebrated personalities - by arriving here in Barbados at ten minutes before nine the same morning. |
No other passenger plane has come even close to matching Concorde's legendary speed. While the aircraft was justly renowned for its great beauty, the aim of Concorde's designers was nonetheless simply to move an aircraft at twice the speed of sound.
Even now, the technology that enabled Concorde to perform its feat of supersonic flight remains far in advance of that of other airlines.
That this brilliant and visionary engineering created an aircraft whose appearance unfailingly drew gasps of awe was an added bonus, and it can be justly argued that it was the style, beauty and grace of Concorde in flight that won hearts around the world.
Nowhere, however, was Concorde treated with more affection than here in Barbados, which along with London, Paris, and New York, was one of only four regular destinations for the aircraft.
Watching the Saturday morning arrival of the Concorde at the airport was a ritual for Barbadians from every walk of life, so it is truly fitting that after 7000 supersonic flights, one of the Concorde fleet has made its final home here.
Now lovingly installed in its new home, Alpha Echo sits proudly surrounded by fascinating and beautifully presented exhibits.
Learn about flight's intriguing pre-history: discover how supersonic aviation was conceived, and get a special insight into the history of aviation in Barbados, which dates back to 1913.
As you move through the sleek and excitingly designed space, you'll be invited to sit - just as countless celebrities did - in a luxurious departure lounge as you wait to board Concorde.
Once you've walked up the red-carpeted stairs and into the aircraft, relax into the seats and watch a short video showing what it was like to fly aboard this legendary plane.
For a different perspective, take a look across the top of Concorde from the upstairs observation deck, where you may also watch planes taking off and landing from the runway at Grantley Adams International Airport.
The undeniable highlight of your visit will be the exhibition's thrilling multi-media show, which uses the plane itself as a backdrop to explain Concorde's advanced engineering and what set it apart from that of any other passenger aircraft, and even gives visitors first-hand experience of how Concorde's immensely powerful engines sounded.
Exciting, fascinating, and undeniably moving in its homage to one of the world's most beloved aircraft, the Barbados Concorde Experience should be a 'must' on your itinerary while in the island.
Visit the Barbados Concorde Experience Mondays to Sundays between 9am to 6pm at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Christ Church, Barbados. Adult admission is just BDS $35, while children between 2-12 years old are charged BDS $25.
Goddards Supersonic Ltd.,
Grantley Adams International Airport,
Christ Church
Barbados
http://www.barbadosconcorde.com
Call (246) 253-6257
Located in Christ Church, South-east coast
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