In 1959 the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee recommended the construction of long-range intercontinental airliners which would fly much higher and faster than those in service at that time - at Mach 2.0, twice the speed of sound. In 1962, the British and French governments agreed to develop the aircraft together. Exhaustive testing using a range of models was carried out to ascertain the ideal shape for the aircraft. Two prototypes were built, the 001(French), and the 002 which had her maiden flight on 9 April 1969. When it was decommisioned, 002 was presented to the Science Museum in London and arrangements were made to give it a permanent home at the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton. It is pictured here after its arrival at Yeovilton in 1979.

Science Museum Photo Studio

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