Supersonic Concorde ‘Sierra Bravo’ gains French historical monument status
The Concorde named ’Sierra Bravo’ has received historic monument status from the French government in a move designed to recognize the aircraft’s significance to commercial supersonic flight.
Registered F-WTSB, the aircraft played a key role in the certification process in obtaining an airworthiness certificate and ensuring it was safe to fly.
The aircraft was proceeded by two prototypes and two pre-production Concorde that are now housed near the runways at Paris Orly Airport (ORY) and at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, UK.
Sierra Bravo never flew commercially but its place in history in terms of development, route planning and data gathering is unquestionable.
On May 5, 2025, the French Ministry of Culture, announced that Sierra Bravo and all its equipment have been classified as historic monuments following discussions between members of the National Commission for Heritage and Architecture.
“This decision by the Minister of Culture marks the culmination of the process initiated following the extensive investigation conducted to analyze the aircraft’s characteristics. It recognizes the public interest in its preservation and the special place that the development of Concorde occupies in international aeronautical memory, following the Franco-British agreement of November 29, 1962, aimed at designing the first supersonic civil transport aircraft,” said a spokesperson for the ministry.
Since 2014, Sierra Bravo has been one of two aircraft preserved and displayed at the Aéroscopia site in Blagnac, Toulouse.
The aircraft, which is owned by Toulouse Air and Space Academy (AAE), an association founded by the first Concorde pilot André Turcat, has retained all its equipment and testing devices, its cockpit, and its engineer’s station.
J’annonce le classement au titre des monuments historiques de l’avion Concorde n° 1 et de l’ensemble de ses équipements. Cet avion a incarné la force industrielle et la capacité d’innovation de la France sur le plan aéronautique. Il a été aussi un symbole de notre capacité de… pic.twitter.com/KcXZ5Ubaxv— Rachida Dati ن (@datirachida) May 5, 2025 Of the 20 aircraft built between 1967 and 1979, 18 are preserved to this day, including six in France. Sierra Bravo made its first flight on December 6, 1973, and its last on May 26, 1982.
“This aircraft embodied France’s industrial strength and capacity for innovation in the aeronautical field. It was also a symbol of our capacity for international cooperation. This aircraft, a pioneer of supersonic flight, is remembered fondly,” said the Minister of Culture Rachida Dati.
She added: “Its preservation will allow us to pass on to future generations a unique example of our aeronautical know-how, with a futuristic vision.”
Sierra Bravo joins Château de Chambord and Palace of Versailles as official French historical monuments and will now be entitled to state funding to assist with conservation work.
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The post Supersonic Concorde ‘Sierra Bravo’ gains French historical monument status appeared first on AeroTime.
The Concorde named ’Sierra Bravo’ has received historic monument status from the French government in a move designed…
The post Supersonic Concorde ‘Sierra Bravo’ gains French historical monument status appeared first on AeroTime.
