Andy7

On 22/04/2024 at 02:14, Ron Ron Ron said:

Concorde crossed the Atlantic in what is known as a “cruise climb”.

A gradual increase in cruising level through the duration of the cruise phase of the flight.

 

After departure from London or Paris and being threaded through the regular traffic, it climbed out to an initial subsonic cruising level (FL280), following special designated routes, to reach the start of the dedicated Concorde oceanic tracks.

Because of the supersonic “bang”, it wasn’t allowed to fly at supersonic speeds, until over the sea.

On reaching the “acceleration point” beyond the coastline, they hit the reheat and began climbing rapidly and accelerating past Mach 1 towards supersonic cruising speed.

IIRC, they levelled off and began the gradual cruise climb somewhere between FL470 and FL500, reaching between FL580 and FL600, by the end of the supersonic part of the flight, on the other side of the ocean.

 

Unlike the normal Oceanic tracks, which change on a twice daily basis, to take into account the jet stream and other significant weather, the Concorde tracks were fixed.

They were obviously operating much higher and separated from all the other ocean air traffic.

There were 3 parallel tracks, SM, SN and SO.

Normally Westbound, Eastbound and an alternative overflow track, respectively; although the routes were bi-directional if needed.

BA and AF Concorde departures were timed so they would follow one another, but if the minimum separation at the track entry point was being eroded once they became airborne, the following aircraft would be re-cleared to the overflow track.

 

Coming off the oceanic Concorde tracks, they would request descent from the top of the cruise climb (whatever they had reached by the end of the cruise) and then carried out quite a speedy decent passing through a transonic phase, before achieving stable subsonic flight and eventually levelling off at (IIRC) FL290, as they arrived over land.

The inbound routing fed them into the regular airway system.

 

Some of you might remember stories about Concorde supersonic booms being heard in the West Country (Devon and Somerset) and the Channel Islands.

The supersonic shock wave would travel ahead of the aircraft and if the atmospheric conditions were right (or wrong, depending how you look at it), Concorde’s boom would continue forward towards landfall in the Bristol Channel (for London), or the Channel Islands and northern Brittany (for Paris ), even after the aircraft had decelerated through subsonic transition long before crossing the coast.

 

The Paris outbound route crossed the French coast near Le Havre, where they would begin supersonic acceleration and a rapid climb.

The route took them to the north of the Cherbourg peninsula in UK airspace, before turning SW down the middle of the English Channel, until passing abeam Lands End, where they would turn westwards towards the entry point of their cleared oceanic Concorde track.

 

Paris inbounds normally hit landfall as they passed directly over Jersey eastbound, crossing over the French coast just east of there.

However, there was an alternative, extended route that followed the track of the outbound route, eastbound up the Channel towards Dieppe.

This allowed the AF Concorde to stay supersonic for a bit longer, but it was only used occasionally.

 

London outbounds passed over the Bristol area before crossing the coast near Weston-super-Mare, prior to reaching the acceleration point out over the Bristol Channel, heading towards the Oceanic track entry.

Inbounds followed a similar route after leaving the eastbound track and descending to the subsonic flight level before crossing the coast and merging into the regular route structure.

 

.

 

I grew up in mid Cornwall and around 1700 ish most days we would hear Concorde go supersonic over the Bristol Channel (a long way from us). I am 43 now so around 1995 we are talking, lovely memories. Thanks for the reminder.

On 19/04/2024 at 13:21, rob D2 said:

They are start and taxiable or I believe to teach the airmen and women ground handling techniques 

That was the case. They now use a simulator for the ground handling aspect!

When I did my trade training there in 2000 we used the Jet Provost. Sometime after they used the war reserve Jaguars as they were more intimidating (good idea), now they use a simulator (sounds like a bad idea to me).

I worked many hours on VC10 and Nimrod, both absolutely fantastic aircraft.

7 hours ago, Denny said:

Hi Andy, 

They all look great! Just the right amount of weathering for a modern day fleet.

 

I especially like your version of 47749. I’m about to start working on one for myself.

 

Could I ask about your method of masking the radius on the cabside, where the blue meets the yellow?
 

My plan was to mask diagonally across a sharp 90 degree corner and then touch in the blue with a brush afterwards. Is there a better way? 
 

Best,

Denny 

I personally use on Tamiya masking tape for all edges (it’s by far the sharpest and best). That is a sort of side note though.

What I do on specifically that bit is to cut a very sharp corner off the 6mm tape. It’s not easy to get right but you can do it until you get one you are happy with without wasting much tape. I also use a very small pair or victorinox scissors.

One other way would be to do a right angle and then whilst the paint is still wet, unmask and use some white spirit to take the point off. This may sound daunting but it isn’t and I do it all the time to remove over spray or straighten a line (this is a top tip btw).

Also weathered 2 of my Cavalex 56’s (what super models these are). Drivers added, plates attached and hand/airbrush weathered. With 56091 I copied what I saw in pictures of the loco from Flickr. Hope you like.

Work is happening at a woeful pace (I blame my new car).

Anyway I have finished 47749 in GBRF BR Blue, this is a Bachmann plux 22 deluxe model and very nice it is too. I decided to upgrade from my 21 pin model which has allowed me to picture both 21 and 22 Bachmann models in the same livery. They compare well in looks but bogies especially and what’s underneath count for a lot (amongst many other welcome upgrades).

Also some pictures with its stable mate 47727 (21 pin model, for now!). I had done 47739 in the past but sold it on (I think it will reappear in plux 22 form).

I have treated myself to a Z4M Roadster. Very happy with it and it’s a definite future classic. It ticks every box that I have in car terms. They drive so nice and are dominated by the mighty S54 engine.

My mate had one with the MIVEC V6. An interesting car and quite quick in the day. I haven’t seen one for years.

Should be an interesting project, keep us updated.

I always use Halfords grey primer as well James, great stuff.

Neither am I very convinced. The front screens particularly looked squashed for want of a better word.

For the second run I’m hoping/looking forward to seeing 56301 in ex Fastline livery as seen on the mainline in 2024. This would go well with 56091 (in my possession) and 60029 (on order).

I would love to be weathering it into its current condition. Paints are ready and waiting.

Maybe engine compartment lighting.

8 minutes ago, RBE said:

The problem is you are saying that our 60 will not have realistic running, but it will. As I said, it will haul whatever the prototype can. The number of driven wheels doesn't equate to realistic running.

Have no fear I have just spotted his 56091 is for sale on eBay! 8 wheel drive just too much to deal with.

Looks like Cavalex and the forum are going to miss out!!!

Well, my pair (Colas and DC Rail) arrived with me today. They really are works of art, every detail looks spot on to me. 
I’m impressed to say the least and the sound file is very much like the real thing.

Well done Cavalex you have put yourselves straight up with the big boys.

Can’t wait for my DC Rail tug to arrive in the future.

Lovely job yet again James.

FYI - 47812 is now a WCRC maroon machine.

66023 in its current Kings Coronation livery would be nice.

I do think we will see 66718 announced in its relatively recently tweaked TFL livery.

Thanks Rob. The 67 decals were a bit of a pain but not as bad as you might think. They are precision decals ones and they do fold, bend and hold shape quite easily (much more so than the competition).

Tie down strops are from scale model scenery. They do look the part.

YouTube action will reappear as soon as a layout spawns (basic plans are afoot).

Thanks for your comment.

54 minutes ago, The Pilotman said:

If that’s the case, then @Craig1989 would be better off asking the retailers themselves…

No I don’t think he would.

My understanding off the above post is that retailers are awaiting the details in order for them to advertise the wagons.

3 hours ago, The Pilotman said:

https://revolutiontrains.com/projects/

 

Fourth from the bottom.

I think the post above yours was aimed at when they will be available to order from retailers, not actually arriving with them.

5 hours ago, Mooresby said:

Happy New Year Andy - amazing work as always

Happy New Year to you Lloyd. Hopefully we can meet up soon for a catch up.

An absolute age has passed on here with no update. I have been modelling on and off but not yet back up to full speed. I moved house and along with life, job, layout, family and taking apart my old layout at my brothers house my mojo wilted a little. It is slowly coming back now.

Anyway some small bits I have completed.

Finally completed my 67007 for myself. I half did it and then it sat for ages. Done now, weathered and looking pretty.

Also completed another 2 homemade DB MXA wagons and finally built and painted a load for one of my warflats.

Back soon with plenty more (it’s one of my resolutions so obviously a dead cert).

9 minutes ago, SulzerPeak said:

If a helpfull person whos accent or mispronouncian of a word tickles you need to grow up.

Sorry but that is a pathetic comment. He does good videos.
 

#helpful

Anyway when is my limited edition of 37800 and 37611 in current ROG livery getting announced?

2 hours ago, Krieghoff said:

Does the re-run of the new tea's have sprung buffers at all ??

 

I’m going to say a definite no. 

On another note I have just had dispatch notification of the ones I ordered from Rails.

59 minutes ago, Roy Langridge said:

Finally had time to unpack and run my 97301. All good with one minor exception with this bit detached. Can any help identify where it goes please?

 

Thanks,

 

Roy

That bit had broken off mine. It goes on the under frame where the second fuel tank was. It’s a shield of some sort and goes the furthest point from the tank that is fitted in the middle. Tricky to explain but hope that helps.

Andy