Concord Mock-up Shown

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31306, 28 February 1967, Page 17

Concord Mock-up Shown

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, Feb. 27. The first full-scale mock up of the AngloFrench supersonic Concord airliner goes under the microscope today at the British Aircraft Corporation works in Filton, Bristol. More than 100 engineers and technicians from 15 companies will spend this week examining and discussing the aircraft. They are mainly interested in the passenger cabins, the flight deck layout, the electri-

cal systems and the navigation communication. A senior B.A.C. official said: “This will be their last chance to tell us just what they want in the way of furniture, decor, emergency exits, air-condi-tioning and everything else. Fly Next Year

“Changes are costly and cause delays, so we want to find the best compromise to suit the majority of customers now," he said. There are now 69 firm reservations for the Concord. The first prototype is being assembled at the Toulouse plant of Sud Aviation and is scheduled to fly next year. A French team is joining British colleagues at Filton today to talk to customers

specifically about electronics and navigating equipment. Three flight decks can be examined in order that pilots can make a choice.

British and French journalists who were given a preview of the £120,000 wooden mock-up were impressed. Darkened Hangar

The sleek aircraft was unveiled under blue floodlights in a draped and darkened hangar. This 13-ton replica is complete in all details, except that the wing mock-up is only on the starboard side. B.A.C. will use the mockup as an accurate sales-de-monstration aid.

Already, visiting parties are “fully booked” for weeks ahead.