A Relic of the Skies: The Concorde Radome Nose Cone and the Art of Owning History
Concorde remains an indelible symbol of what humanity can achieve when ambition soars beyond the mundane. Sleek, audacious, and unapologetically extravagant, it was more than an aircraft—it was a statement. A statement that speed could marry elegance, that the Atlantic could be tamed in three hours, and that Breakfast would indeed be had in London and Lunch certainly in New York. David Frost, the silver-tongued titan of a broadcaster who once raced the sun aboard its cabin, famously declared: “You can be in London at 10 o’clock and in New York at 10 o’clock. I have never found another way of being in two places at once.” Sir David Frost was maybe Concorde’s most frequent flier, with about 300 trips. He taped shows in both New York and London.
Today, a rare fragment of this legacy emerges not from the skies, but from the archives of British Airways’ engineering legacy: a Concorde radome nose cone, a spare part that never flew, yet still embodies the pinnacle of supersonic innovation. For collectors, investors, and custodians, this artefact is not merely a collector’s item; it is a tangible connection to an era when the skies were conquered at twice the speed of sound, and air travel became a theatre of glamour, power, and exclusivity.
A Triumph of Engineering and Elegance
Crafted from advanced composites and engineered to withstand temperatures exceeding 120°C during Mach 2 flights, the Concorde’s nose cone was both a functional masterpiece and an icon of design. Its streamlined silhouette, capable of drooping mid-flight for pilot visibility, became synonymous with the aircraft’s futuristic allure.
A Celestial Passenger Roster: From Royals to Rockstars
The Concorde was more than an aircraft; it was a cultural phenomenon, ferrying the world’s most influential figures across the Atlantic in under three hours. Its cabin hosted royalty, Queen Elizabeth II, a steadfast patron, once quipped about its “remarkable briskness”—and heads of state like Tony Blair and Bill Clinton, who leveraged its speed for diplomacy.
Yet the Concorde’s true mystique lies in its celebrity lore. David Bowie, ever the futurist, relished its otherworldly velocity, while Elton John toasted to transatlantic champagne flights. Perhaps most iconic was Phil Collins’ 1985 Live Aid feat: after performing in London, he boarded the Concorde to Philadelphia. Phil Collins said, “Cher was on the flight… she asked what was going on. I told her about Live Aid and she asked whether I could get her on”. Collins performed at Wembley Stadium in London on July 13, 1985, and then flew on Concorde to Philadelphia to perform on the US leg of Live Aid.
These stories crystallize the Concorde’s role as a vessel for the extraordinary, a narrative now etched into this nose cone’s provenance.
Investment Potential: Rarity Meets Cultural Capital
For astute collectors and investors, this piece represents a compelling intersection of scarcity and historical significance. Concorde memorabilia has surged in value, driven by its finite supply and enduring mystique. In 2019, a Concorde Machmeter sold for £270,000 at Christie’s, while a set of seats commanded £500,000 in a private sale. The nose cone, however, stands apart—its imposing scale (over 13 feet long) and iconic profile make it a centrepiece for high-impact displays.
Market trends underscore its potential. The 2022 auction of a Concorde engine nacelle for £1.1 million demonstrated appetite for large-scale components, particularly those with documented lineage. This radome’s provenance—certified by British Airways and accompanied by maintenance logs—enhances its allure. As younger generations romanticize analogue-era milestones, the Concorde’s legend grows, positioning this piece as a blue-chip asset.
Ownership invites creative stewardship. Imagine this nose cone as the centrepiece of a private aviation museum, juxtaposed with modern spacecraft to trace supersonic evolution. For the home, it could anchor a penthouse lounge, bathed in ambient light—a conversation starter by anyone’s definition. Corporations might leverage it as a boardroom centrepiece, embodying innovation and ambition.
Notably, architect Norman Foster integrated Concorde components into his designs, proving such artefacts transcend “collectables” to become experiential art. The nose cone’s sculptural form and storied past offer similar transformative potential.
As the gavel prepares to fall, prospective buyers are urged to reflect on the Concorde’s parable: a machine that defied limits, only to be grounded by shifting economics. Yet its spirit endures in artefacts like this radome—a testament to human daring. To own it is to safeguard a chapter of history while aligning with an asset class that soars beyond traditional markets.
It was a time when we didn’t just fly faster; we flew higher.
