The story behind the only photo ever taken of Concorde flying at Mach 2
Concorde was only captured flying at Mach 2 once. The photograph required meticulous preparation, multiple crew members, and another aircraft to pull off. The result is awe-inspiring, showcasing two supersonic planes rendezvousing over the Atlantic Ocean.
Capturing a photograph of Concorde traveling at Mach 2—twice the speed of sound—was no easy task. It took careful planning, a second aircraft, and a highly skilled photographer to achieve this remarkable feat. The result is an extraordinary image of the legendary supersonic jet soaring majestically over the Atlantic.
Over the years, Concorde has been the subject of many breathtaking photos and videos. From its iconic silhouette cutting through the skies to rare footage of it landing on the tiny island of Sint Maarten with the French president onboard, the aircraft has left an indelible mark on aviation history.
We’ve also seen fascinating glimpses of life inside the cockpit, with vintage photos showing just how calm and composed it was during flights.
But among all these incredible moments, only one person succeeded in capturing the Concorde in full Mach 2 flight—a truly one-of-a-kind image of this engineering marvel at its peak.
Orchestrating a supersonic snapshot
On April 21, 1985, Adrian Meredith, a skilled aviation photographer, captured an iconic image of Concorde flying at Mach 2. Pulling off this incredible feat required detailed planning, a skilled crew, and a second aircraft.
The Royal Air Force (RAF) chose a Tornado fighter jet for the job, as it was capable of matching Concorde’s supersonic speed. To ensure it could maintain high speeds, the Tornado was stripped of all unnecessary equipment. RAF pilot Bob Tuxford flew the Tornado with Meredith positioned in the rear cockpit, ready to take the historic shot.
The mission wasn’t easy, with several failed attempts before success. Over the Atlantic Ocean, Concorde reduced its speed to Mach 1.5 to allow the Tornado to catch up. Once in position, Meredith captured the breathtaking image.
With the photograph secured, the Tornado returned to base, while Concorde continued its journey to New York’s JFK Airport, leaving behind a moment forever etched in aviation history.
The iconic result of Concorde flying at Mach 2
This iconic photograph perfectly embodies what makes Concorde so extraordinary and why it still fascinates us today.
The image shows the sleek, delta-winged aircraft in flight, its distinctive drooping nose raised upright, gliding above a blanket of clouds with the Atlantic Ocean stretching below.
More than just a stunning visual, this photo is a testament to the incredible achievement of Concorde itself and the skill and precision of the team who captured this historic moment.
As one observer put it: “The real marvel of this aircraft was that there are a hundred people sipping champagne and eating caviar in there, sitting in comfy leather seats with big smiles on their faces, all traveling at the speed of a rifle bullet.”
It’s a moment frozen in time that continues to remind us of Concorde’s unparalleled legacy in aviation.
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