I once turned down the offer of a free flight on Concorde!!!! A rather well known and well connected record producer had stormed out of a recording session in a New York studio claiming he couldn't work with our mixing desk because we'd changed one of the components (the voltage controlled amplifier - VCA - used on the main channel level controls). I came in to work early that morning, expecting to drive to Southampton to sort out a TV studio, and instead got a message to say that as soon as stores had found enough of the old style VCAs I was to take them to Heathrow, hop onto Concorde, fit them to the mixing desk, get a couple of hours sleep, and come back. I suggested that since we had a New York service department, who were undoubtedly much better at desoldering and soldering than I was, we just send the VCAs on Concorde and they could fit them...which would give the client a better service and stop me being absolutely shattered. After a brief argument (the company wanted to be seen to be sending someone!) it was agreed that made sense...but now of course looking back I realise that was the one and only chance of a Concorde flight.


Ah well. I did regularly get flown around Europe in the company six seater jet, which was probably actually more fun! 


Totally agree about the Sunderland - I've always wanted (since my Airfix days) to see one taking off and landing. 


Cheers,


Andy

I once turned down the offer of a free flight on Concorde!!!! A rather well known and well connected record producer had stormed out of a recording session in a New York studio claiming he couldn't work with our mixing desk because we'd changed one of the components (the voltage controlled amplifier - VCA - used on the main channel level controls). I came in to work early that morning, expecting to drive to Southampton to sort out a TV studio, and instead got a message to say that as soon as stores had found enough of the old style VCAs I was to take them to Heathrow, hop onto Concorde, fit them to the mixing desk, get a couple of hours sleep, and come back. I suggested that since we had a New York service department, who were undoubtedly much better at desoldering and soldering than I was, we just send the VCAs on Concorde and they could fit them...which would give the client a better service and stop me being absolutely shattered. After a brief argument (the company wanted to be seen to be sending someone!) it was agreed that made sense...but now of course looking back I realise that was the one and only chance of a Concorde flight.


Ah well. I did regularly get flown around Europe in the company six seater jet, which was probably actually more fun! 


Totally agree about the Sunderland - I've always wanted (since my Airfix days) to see one taking off and landing. 


Cheers,


Andy