Sir, – Sean Moncrieff writes that Concorde did not fly after the crash in 2000 (“ Never been to Coppers? That’s no bad thing”, Magazine, March 30th). Following an investigation, the surviving aircraft were upgraded with new fuel-tank linings and most returned to passenger service in late 2001.
One suspects that they would still be crossing the pond today had manufacturer support not been withdrawn just two years later. Although Concorde was very inefficient, it was to all intents and purposes a prototype designed using 1960s technology. A modern supersonic passenger aircraft would be a very different animal; as a frequent long-haul traveller I hope that one will be developed in my lifetime. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD BANNISTER,
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.
Sir, – Concorde was neither the first nor the only supersonic commercial passenger aircraft, as suggested by columnist Sean Moncrieff.
The Tupolev TU-144 first flew in December 1968, two months before Concorde. – Yours, etc,
JOE
ENGLISH,
Dundalk,
Co Louth.