Re: Concorde....

[Derek Copeland]

I strongly suspect that the American airline companies
were leaned on by the US Government not to buy Concorde,
so that they could wreck the European aircraft industry
and see off a competitor to their own companies. Same
as they try to wreck every other countries economies
in their own interests. So called Globalisation equals
Americanisation!

Once Great Britain had thriving aircraft industry,
with companies such as Handley-Page, Avro, Vickers,
Supermarine, Miles, De Havilland. Now all we do is
make wings for Airbus, and even that industry is up
for sale.

I can perfectly well understand why the Arabs in the
Oil producing countries, which the US also tries to
dominate, hate the Americans so much!

Derek Copeland

At 03:54 11 June 2006, Jack wrote:
>The dozens of airlines who optioned and then refused
>Concorde, leaving
>the Governments of Britain and France deservedly holding
>the bag, are
>powerful evidence that the 'bean-counters' were right,
>as were the
>directors who actually made the [non]investment decisions.
>
>

[309]

Derek Copeland wrote:

> Once Great Britain had thriving aircraft industry,
> with companies such as Handley-Page, Avro, Vickers,
> Supermarine, Miles, De Havilland. Now all we do is
> make wings for Airbus, and even that industry is up
> for sale.

Once Southern California (much larger than GREAT Britain) had a
thriving aircraft industry: Convair, Douglas, Lockheed, all building
commercial aircraft that in one way or another contributed to the
advancement of modern travel. Late last month, the last commercial
product from the old(e) Douglas Plant delivered (a so-called Boeing
717, nee MD-95, nee DC-9-30+ with Rolls engines...). The assembly line
is silent, save for the wrecking crews. I would much rather see it
"for sale."

Many forget that Airbus (or its predecessor) benefitted from a doomed
"partnership" between Sud Aviation and Douglas (funny how similar the
nose section of the A-300 is to the DC-10, isn't it????). Yes, I
suppose you'll call McDonnell "pirates" from stealing the Kestrel and
improving it into the AV-8B, aka Harrier. Yes, it goes both ways, eh?

Yes Derek, you have my pity, for what it is worth (not much, eh?). I
am sorry to see Concord(e) silent -- almost as much as I am to see
factories that employed thousands, created much of the "Arsenal of
Democracy" that no doubt helped save "the United Kingdom" in the 40's
(or is its current fate worse than it would have been without
"Americanization?"), and helped usher in many technological
advancements.

Please tell me you have studied history and can recall that once upon a
time, GREAT Britain DOMINATED the world... As a good Canadian once put
it, "All good things must end." Just be patient Derek. Yeah, a Union
Jack on every streetcorner would be an improvement, eh?

Isn't it wonderful to know that sour grapes grow equally well on both
sides of "the pond?"

It wasn't politics alone or accountants alone that silenced Concord(e),
a thing of beauty. But politics and accounting together form
formidible allies...and the economics of operating much faster than
God's good birds would sanely fly conspired altogether to end the
party.

Isn't it just plain silly that sombody's simple request for donations
to restore an antique (albeit expensive and fast) airplane can cause
this newsgroup to spin into degrading mudslinging over politics?

Keep in mind, Derek, that the Americans did not invent "domination." I
rather doubt you coud even say we've perfected it. Look also, if you
dare, at the charity America affords the globe as whole, even those
supposed "enemies" in times of tragedy.

Shame on you.