The only photo of the Concorde flying at supersonic speed

Supersonic photography and comparable aircraft

• Several commenters doubt it is literally the only supersonic photo of Concorde, suggesting many test-flight shots likely exist but aren’t public or easily found pre-internet.
• Discussion of what could keep up with Concorde at Mach 2: suggestions include military interceptors like the English Electric Lightning or another Concorde.
• SR‑71 Blackbird is repeatedly mentioned as faster, with notes that its performance tables only go down to Mach 2.2, implying Mach 2 would be “slow” for it. Debate over whether it could “match speed” safely or within certified regimes.

Noise, sonic booms, and public impact

• Many personal memories of Concorde’s distinctive roar near Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, JFK, and elsewhere.
• Some recall it as exciting; others found it disruptive enough to halt conversations or cause neighborhood resentment.
• Sonic booms and complaints about cracked windows and structural damage are cited as a major driver behind restrictions and eventual bans on overland supersonic flight.
• One extended rant frames Concorde as a noisy prestige project for elites with negligible societal benefit.

Museums and surviving airframes

• Multiple museums worldwide host preserved Concordes (Bristol, Seattle, NYC, Paris, Toulouse, Scotland, Germany).
• Visitors remark on the cramped cabin, very busy analog cockpit, and structural expansion in flight (e.g., a hat still wedged in an expansion gap).

Boom Supersonic and future SSTs

• Boom’s upcoming Mach 1 test flight is noted, with skepticism about its economics: fewer seats than Concorde but similar cost and fuel issues.
• Some see the target market as business jets and ultra-wealthy customers; others question engine availability and regulatory hurdles.
• Environmental, noise, and equity concerns are raised, including fears of “ask forgiveness later” over sonic impacts on remote communities.

Flight times, efficiency, and regulation

• Lament that NYC–London block times haven’t improved since the 1960s, despite Concorde’s brief era.
• Counterpoint: massive advances in safety, fuel efficiency, and cost-per-seat; fuel economics drive slower cruise speeds today.
• Debate over whether deregulation killed innovation vs regulation (especially noise rules) constraining supersonic commercial flight.

Altitude and curvature

• Some assert Concorde’s altitude allowed passengers to see Earth’s curvature; others argue apparent curvature in photos may be lens distortion or perspective, citing optical research. Disagreement remains unresolved.