Celebrating 20 Years of Supersonic History: Remembering the Last Flight of Concorde
Today is a very significant day in aviation history! The iconic Concorde jet, renowned for its supersonic speed and luxury, bid its final farewell on October 24, 2003. This last commercial passenger flight G-BOAG took off from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, soaring through the skies at twice the speed of sound, and touching down at London’s Heathrow Airport.
On board were 100 passengers, including famous personalities and an adventurous Ohio couple who had secured two tickets on eBay for a staggering $60,300.
This final journey marked the end of an era, as the typical roundtrip trans-Atlantic fare, which cost around $9,000, was now history. Simultaneously, other Concorde flights embarked on their last voyages from Edinburgh and the Bay of Biscay, drawing large crowds of spectators.
Concorde’s Legacy
Concorde, a marvel of British and French joint innovation, took to the skies in January 1976 for its first commercial flight. It represented a significant leap in aviation technology and design, and its sleek, delta-winged design enabled it to complete the transatlantic journey between New York and London in a mere three and a half hours, cruising at an astonishing speed of 1,350 miles per hour. Concorde was more than just a means of travel, it was an emblem of speed and luxury, captivating the world’s imagination.
Challenges faced by Concorde
Despite its iconic status, Concorde was not without its challenges. Some individuals living under its flight path criticised the substantial noise it generated, disrupting their everyday lives. Tragically, a dark chapter in Concorde’s history unfolded on July 25, 2000, when an Air France jet crashed shortly after take-off from Paris. This catastrophic incident claimed the lives of all 109 people on board, as well as four others on the ground. Following the crash, all Concorde flights were suspended for over a year, with investigations, safety checks, and improvements taking place.
The final commercial flight of Concorde on October 24, 2003, marked the end of an era in aviation. This iconic jet, born from international collaboration, redefined the possibilities of air travel with its incredible speed and luxury. While Concorde had its share of challenges, including noise complaints and a tragic accident, it remains an iconic symbol of human ingenuity and ambition. Concorde’s legacy lives on, reminding us of the thrill of pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the skies.
To mark this significant day in aviation history and to celebrate the legacy of this legendary supersonic jet, we have curated a special range over the years for our collectors. Featuring Gold plated coins, Signed framed prints and Limited edition ingots, our Concorde Collectables range has something for everyone – See our Concorde Collectables range by clicking here.
Royal Celebration: King Charles III 75th Birthday Range Released
This year, on the 14th of November, His Majesty King Charles III will celebrate his 75th birthday. This will be the first time a reigning British King has celebrated his 75th birthday in over 200 years.
Royal birthdays have held a significant place in the hearts of collectors for generations.
In a gesture to match the grandeur of the occasion – especially for collectors – a stunning coin range has been unveiled to mark the 75th birthday of King Charles III. This exquisite collection perfectly captures the essence of His Majesty in meticulous detail.
Continue reading below to explore the beautiful designs in all their glory.
Brand-new: King Charles III 75th Birthday Silver Proof £5
A prestigious piece of royal history, this brand-new £5 coin has been struck to the historic Crown specifications.
This remarkable release is strictly limited to JUST 995 collectors WORLDWIDE.
Secure your own King Charles III 75th Silver Proof £5 by clicking here >>>
Own the coin fit for a King: His Majesty’s 75th Birthday Silver 5oz
This is the coin that’s being gifted to King Charles III for his 75th birthday – you read that correctly!
Issued by Guernsey, this stunning coin is struck from 5oz of Pure Silver with selective 24 Carat Gold plating. Only 174 out of the total 175 edition limit have been made available for collectors, as number one has already been reserved for His Majesty.
Click here to own this impressive silver tribute to His Majesty King Charles III >>>
Mark this historic milestone with the Gold Proof £5
The one-year-only design on the Gold Proof £5 has been fully approved by Buckingham Palace – with a strict edition limit of JUST 30.
Struck from solid Gold, the pristine Proof finish really showcases the specially commissioned design, featuring cruciform shields with symbols representing His Majesty’s life – including the fleet Air Arm badge honouring His Majesty’s service as a helicopter pilot in the Royal Navy.
Click here to secure your own exclusive Gold Proof £5 – ONLY 30 available! >>>
A true work of art: King Charles III 75th Birthday Artist’s Set
Issued to mark the first time in over two centuries that a reigning British King has reached the age of 75. The King Charles III 75th Birthday Artist’s Set truly rises to this historic occasion.
It features an official ‘Note from the Artist’ signed by the reverse designer – Mike Guilfoyle, where he gives a fascinating insight into his creative process and inspiration.
Only 200 of these historic sets will ever exist – so only a select number of collectors will be able to own this exclusive set.
Click here to own one of these specially curated sets >>>
The ultimate King Charles III 75th Birthday issue: Proof £5 coin cover
The perfect way to mark the historic occasion, this exclusive release includes a £5 Proof coin alongside His Majesty’s Coronation stamps, hand-stamped on his 75th birthday – the 14th of November 2023.
This makes it a true collector’s dream, as once all the covers have been allocated, they will never be available again.
Click here to secure yours before the strict edition of JUST 495 is gone >>>
This really is a collection fit for a king – but there are even more brand-new releases to see, delve into the rest of the exclusive collection by clicking the link below!
Click here to explore the full King Charles III 75th Birthday Range >>>
“We retraced the steps of the Dambusters”. How these pilots raised thousands for the RBL.
Last month we travelled to Compton Abbas Airfield in Dorset to meet two pilots who have raised thousands for the Royal British Legion.
Jason Davidson and Simon Shackell flew in specially to tell us all about a remarkable challenge they took on in May.
To mark the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, they undertook a commemorative flight to recognise the technical skills, ingenuity and courage of those who conducted the legendary air operation.
And in doing so, they have already raised over £3,000 for the Royal British Legion!
Watch below as we meet Jason and Simon, who tell us about the challenge and why they chose to raise funds for the RBL.
We were delighted to gift Jason and Simon a 2023 Royal British Legion Poppy® Silver Proof £5 each as well as the FINAL 2023 Poppy® Silver Masterpiece Coin to be struck to honour their achievements and thank them for their fundraising efforts…
Watch the interview and gifting in full below or read on to find out more about Jason and Simon’s story…
Click here to view Jason and Simon’s fundraising page >>
Jason and Simon’s Story
Both Simon and Jason have a close connection to the military – Jason served in the Parachute Regiment for over 22 years and his twin brother was also in the RAF. Simon’s father was a navigator in the RAF during National Service.
They took on the challenge as they were inspired by the bravery and skill that the 617 Squadron showed. Simon said that the idea was to “champion the engineering aspect” as well as the airmanship. “It really struck home how difficult that would have been, and how dangerous. The airmanship was what blew me away”, Jason said.
On 16th May 2023, the 80th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, Jason and Simon began their challenge – departing from the RAF St Athan airfield site on a mission to pass over 8 locations:
- Chesil Beach, Dorset – testing location for the “bouncing bomb”
- Reculver Bay, Kent – testing location for the “bouncing bomb”
- East Kirkby Aviation Heritage Centre, Lincolnshire – a unique living museum to the Dambusters and home of ‘Just Jane’.
- Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire – home of the Dambusters Memorial
- RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire – the wartime base of the 617 Squadron and location where the Raid was launched
- Derwent Dam, Sheffield – a location closely resembling the Möhne Dam where the Dambusters practiced for the Raid.
- Nant-y-Gro Dam, Rhayader – the site where Barnes Wallis successfully demonstrated the concept of the depth charge mine.
- Penarth, Glamorgan – the site of Wing Commander Guy Gibson’s memorial and his wartime home.
Jason and Simon conducted each flight using only maps, stopwatches and compasses to navigate as the Dambusters did.
You can find out more about the challenge and donate here >>
The 2023 Official RBL Poppy® Coin Range
For nearly 20 years, The Westminster Collection has released coins in support of the Royal British Legion – and collectors have raised over £1.25 million for the RBL.
The 2023 coin range is available to order now but with stock selling fast, you’ll need to act today to secure your tribute…
Prices start from JUST £25 (+p&p) – Click here to view the range >>