Concorde, the supersonic slingshot - in pictures

  • Concorde G-Bravo Bravo Delta Golf at Bahrain in 1974 for hot weather testing. Photo: Richard Harris
    Concorde G-Bravo Bravo Delta Golf at Bahrain in 1974 for hot weather testing. Photo: Richard Harris
  • The distinctive pointed nose of Concorde Delta Golf at Bahrain in 1974. Photo: Michael Stokes
    The distinctive pointed nose of Concorde Delta Golf at Bahrain in 1974. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • One of the passengers was Jean Tesh, wife of British ambassador to Bahrain, Robert Tesh. Mrs Tesh was one of Michael Stokes's main sponsors for the invitation. Photo: Michael Stokes
    One of the passengers was Jean Tesh, wife of British ambassador to Bahrain, Robert Tesh. Mrs Tesh was one of Michael Stokes's main sponsors for the invitation. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • Michael Stokes, pictured right, on board a Concorde flight in the 1980s. Photo: Michael Stokes
    Michael Stokes, pictured right, on board a Concorde flight in the 1980s. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • The certificate of participation Michael Stokes received after the flight on Concorde. Photo: Michael Stokes
    The certificate of participation Michael Stokes received after the flight on Concorde. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • Details of Delta Golf's journey through the Middle East in 1974. The aircraft was in the Gulf for hot weather testing and to drum up sales. Photo: Michael Stokes
    Details of Delta Golf's journey through the Middle East in 1974. The aircraft was in the Gulf for hot weather testing and to drum up sales. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • Welcome aboard cards for Concorde Delta Golf’s test flights in the Middle East. Photo: Michael Stokes
    Welcome aboard cards for Concorde Delta Golf’s test flights in the Middle East. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • The welcome aboard cards underlined that the aircraft would look different to those that would fly commercially. Photo: Michael Stokes
    The welcome aboard cards underlined that the aircraft would look different to those that would fly commercially. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • Delta Golf stops at Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Airport in July 1974. Bateen was then the city's main airport. Photo: Peter Alvis
    Delta Golf stops at Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Airport in July 1974. Bateen was then the city's main airport. Photo: Peter Alvis
  • Concorde takes off from Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Airport. Photo: Peter Alvis
    Concorde takes off from Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen Airport. Photo: Peter Alvis
  • Safety instructions for Concorde. Photo: Michael Stokes
    Safety instructions for Concorde. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • Another card showing unique safety instructions for Concorde. Photo: Michael Stokes
    Another card showing unique safety instructions for Concorde. Photo: Michael Stokes
  • The first commercial flight of Concorde takes off from London Heathrow on January 21, 1976, bound for Bahrain. Another took off simultaneously in Paris for Rio de Janeiro via Senegal. Photo: Evening Standard / Getty Images
    The first commercial flight of Concorde takes off from London Heathrow on January 21, 1976, bound for Bahrain. Another took off simultaneously in Paris for Rio de Janeiro via Senegal. Photo: Evening Standard / Getty Images
  • Spectators watch the last ever British Airways commercial Concorde flight touch down at London Heathrow airport on October 24, 2003. Graeme Robertson / Getty Images
    Spectators watch the last ever British Airways commercial Concorde flight touch down at London Heathrow airport on October 24, 2003. Graeme Robertson / Getty Images