Few aircraft in history have captured the imagination of aviation enthusiasts quite like Concorde. A marvel of engineering, this supersonic passenger jet was a product of an ambitious joint venture between British Airways and Air France, representing the pinnacle of commercial aviation. Flying at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2), Concorde redefined the meaning of luxury and speed in air travel. However, only a select few ever saw it in full flight from another aircraft—and even fewer managed to capture this rare sight in a photograph.
One of the most extraordinary images ever taken of Concorde occurred in April 1985, when British aviation photographer Adrian Meredith captured a truly iconic moment: Concorde, mid-flight at Mach 2, soaring 50,000 feet above the Irish Sea. Shot from the cockpit of a Panavia Tornado fighter jet, this stunning image provides an unparalleled perspective of one of the greatest technological achievements in aviation history. It remains one of the most famous photographs ever taken of an aircraft in supersonic flight.
This article delves deep into the history of Concorde, the incredible feat of capturing this photograph, and the legacy of supersonic travel.
The Birth of Concorde: A Dream of Supersonic Travel
The idea of a supersonic passenger aircraft was conceived in the 1950s, during the height of the Jet Age. The goal was simple but ambitious: to create an aircraft that could transport passengers at speeds beyond the speed of sound, cutting travel time in half.
Developed through a collaboration between the British and French aerospace industries, the Concorde project pushed engineering to its limits. The aircraft was designed with a sleek, delta-wing shape, an advanced aerodynamic structure, and four Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 engines—powerful enough to propel it to speeds of Mach 2.04 (1,354 mph or 2,180 km/h).
By 1969, the first prototype of Concorde took to the skies, and after years of rigorous testing, it officially entered commercial service in 1976. It quickly became the ultimate symbol of prestige, luxury, and cutting-edge technology.
The Challenge of Capturing a Supersonic Aircraft Mid-Flight
Taking a photograph of an aircraft flying at Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound) is no small feat. At that speed, Concorde was faster than a bullet and capable of outrunning most fighter jets of its time. This presented an extreme challenge for aviation photographers attempting to capture it in action.
In April 1985, British photographer Adrian Meredith took on this challenge. Working alongside the Royal Air Force (RAF), he devised an ambitious plan: to capture Concorde flying at full speed from the cockpit of a Panavia Tornado, one of the most advanced fighter jets of its era.
The biggest challenge? The Tornado could not sustain speeds of Mach 2 for long periods, as it was not designed for prolonged supersonic flight like Concorde. The solution was to launch the Tornado ahead of time, allowing Concorde to catch up to it at the exact moment of the shot. The timing had to be perfect.
The result was one of the most breathtaking and legendary aviation photographs ever taken.
What Makes This Photograph So Special?
This photograph remains one of the most famous images in aviation history for several reasons:
- It Showcases the True Speed of Concorde
Seeing Concorde in a mid-air chase with a fighter jet highlights just how fast this passenger aircraft was. Few commercial planes could even come close to its speed. - It Captures the Curvature of the Earth
At 50,000 feet, the photograph reveals the slight curvature of the Earth, providing a perspective few have ever seen. - It Demonstrates Precision in Aviation Photography
Coordinating a high-speed fighter jet and a supersonic airliner to be in the same frame, at exactly the right moment, is an incredible achievement. - It Symbolizes the Golden Age of Aviation
This photograph is a time capsule of an era when aviation innovation was at its peak, representing the dream of supersonic travel for all.
Why Concorde Was Unlike Any Other Aircraft
Concorde was not just fast—it was an engineering masterpiece. Some key features that made it one of the most advanced commercial aircraft ever built include:
- Delta-Wing Design: Provided exceptional aerodynamics at supersonic speeds.
- Afterburners: Used to achieve supersonic speeds, typically only found in military jets.
- Fly-by-Wire System: One of the first commercial aircraft to use digital flight controls.
- Nose Droop Mechanism: Allowed for better visibility during takeoff and landing.
- High-Altitude Capability: Could cruise at 60,000 feet, far above regular airliners.
Despite its legendary status, Concorde’s time in the skies was cut short. Rising operational costs, environmental concerns, and the catastrophic Air France Flight 4590 crash in 2000 ultimately led to its retirement in 2003.
The Future of Supersonic Travel
Even though Concorde is no longer flying, the dream of supersonic travel lives on. Several aerospace companies are actively working on next-generation supersonic airliners, including:
- Boom Supersonic Overture: A proposed Mach 1.7 airliner set to bring supersonic travel back by the 2030s.
- NASA’s X-59 QueSST: A low-boom supersonic aircraft designed to minimize noise pollution.
- Aerion AS2: A private supersonic business jet aimed at revolutionizing corporate travel.
These projects aim to address the challenges that led to Concorde’s retirement—namely, noise, fuel efficiency, and affordability.
Why We Still Remember Concorde Today
Decades after its retirement, Concorde remains one of the most revered aircraft in aviation history. Enthusiasts, engineers, and pilots continue to admire its groundbreaking technology and unmatched speed. It was a symbol of human ingenuity and the limitless possibilities of aerospace engineering.
For those who had the privilege of flying on Concorde, it was an experience unlike any other. Passengers could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours, sipping champagne while watching the curvature of the Earth from 60,000 feet. The sonic boom it produced as it accelerated past the speed of sound was a reminder of its power and uniqueness.
The image of Concorde soaring at Mach 2, captured in 1985, reminds us that once, for a brief moment in history, supersonic travel was a reality—and perhaps, with advancing technology, it will be again.
Final Thoughts
The legendary photograph of Concorde at Mach 2, captured by Adrian Meredith from a Panavia Tornado, remains an undisputed masterpiece in aviation photography. It encapsulates an era of innovation, ambition, and the pursuit of pushing the limits of what was possible.
Though Concorde may never fly again, its legacy as the fastest commercial airliner in history continues to inspire engineers, pilots, and aviation enthusiasts around the world.
As the world moves closer to reviving supersonic travel, we can only hope that the next generation of aircraft will once again allow passengers to fly faster than the speed of sound.
