Why did France and England build the Concorde?

Answer 1

The Concorde's history begins in 1956, when Britain created the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee. France was apparently interested in the idea of a supersonic airliner independently. Among the various motives for designing such a craft were profit and status. England, France and Russia were eager to jump ahead of American airline companies into the next generation of airliners.

President Charles De Gaulle of France, recognizing that a supersonic aircraft would be too expensive to develop by either Britain or France alone, called for cooperation between the two countries.

Then, in November of 1962, an agreement of cooperation (the Supersonic Craft Agreement) between the two countries was signed, designed to distribute the cost of development and production equally between the two sponsoring governments. This agreement was signed by the British Minister of Aviation and the French ambassador. Britain's Ministry of the Treasury tried to stop the project, but in 1962, the Cabinet gave approval, arguing that the development was necessary in order for Britain's airline industry to remain viable.

As costs burgeoned, it became apparent that the supersonic aircraft would not be profitable. Another motivation for the Concorde's development may have been that neither government wanted to be embarrassed by having spent so much money, and yet having failed to complete the project.

Russia was developing a supersonic airliner of its own, the Tupolev T-144, and that model was the first to fly, in 1968. The following year, the French Concorde 001 made its first flight.

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Answer 2

The Concorde's history begins in 1956, when Britain created the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee. France was apparently interested in the idea of a supersonic airliner independently. Among the various motives for designing such a craft were profit and status. England, France and Russia were eager to jump ahead of American airline companies into the next generation of airliners.

President Charles De Gaulle of France, recognizing that a supersonic aircraft would be too expensive to develop by either Britain or France alone, called for cooperation between the two countries.

Then, in November of 1962, an agreement of cooperation (the Supersonic Craft Agreement) between the two countries was signed, designed to distribute the cost of development and production equally between the two sponsoring governments. This agreement was signed by the British Minister of Aviation and the French ambassador. Britain's Ministry of the Treasury tried to stop the project, but in 1962, the Cabinet gave approval, arguing that the development was necessary in order for Britain's airline industry to remain viable.

As costs burgeoned, it became apparent that the supersonic aircraft would not be profitable. Another motivation for the Concorde's development may have been that neither government wanted to be embarrassed by having spent so much money, and yet having failed to complete the project.

Russia was developing a supersonic airliner of its own, the Tupolev T-144, and that model was the first to fly, in 1968. The following year, the French Concorde 001 made its first flight.

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