Concorde taking off from runway 27L at Heathrow Airport at twilight in 2003 shortly before it was retired. Every day towards the end, hundreds of cars took up every available spot, parked up on the grass verge beside a busy dual-carriageway just for a chance to experience this a few more times before she was retired forever. You can hear some of their car-alarms going off towards the end and you may just make out the forward landing gear doors closing as she passes overhead.
It was quite delayed in taking off on this particular evening but this meant it became twilight and the many hundreds of people waiting patiently were rewarded with a breath-taking scene - followed by a strong and sudden swirl of wind vortices that blew leaves and debris for a few seconds.
The sheer speed and the low climb-out angle were unique and it is so hard to get across the mix of emotion you experienced... tingles...excitement...pride...deafness...sadness... all mixed together!

Footage from before the days of HD and sound a bit distorted... but unfortunately, I am unable to do it again ! Thanks for all of your wonderful comments - they help to keep the memory alive.

See the 'Club Concorde' group website at: http://clubconcorde.co.uk/index.php