Unseen footage of Concorde's historic test flight has been unearthed, revealing a rare glimpse into Britain's pivotal role in supersonic aviation. The previously private film, captured by Labour MP Tony Benn from the cockpit of Concorde 002 during its fourth supersonic flight in 1970, has come to light through his son's archives.
Mr Benn was on board with chief test pilot Brian Trubshaw and co-pilot John Cochrane as they pushed the aircraft to Mach 2, twice the speed of sound. The flight took place from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, where Concorde 002 was being assessed for performance and handling. Having achieved supersonic flight earlier that year on 25 March, this test marked a significant milestone in its development.
Decades later, Mr Benn shared the footage with a BBC Radio 4 documentary but it was initially declined due to quality concerns. Hilary Benn, also a Labour MP, has confirmed the find and highlighted Concorde's significance in his father's political career, particularly given the involvement of Bristol constituents.
Aviation expert Jonathan Glancey called the discovery 'a significant historical artefact' that captures the sense of adventure and flight. The film provides an authentic glimpse into supersonic aviation's pioneering days and Britain's direct contribution to its development.
Tony Benn was a leading advocate for Concorde, famously reinstating its name with an 'e'. His personal involvement in this test underscores his commitment to the project, which symbolised technological ambition and international collaboration despite facing financial and technical challenges during its development.