Bush Talk #25
Concorde carried by Vesconite Hilube
In 1973 the Concorde flew
to South Africa to undertake 'hot and high' performance trials and
demonstrations. I remember my awe (I was a scholar at the time), as do others
from the Vesco factory, on seeing this graceful 'bird' flying overhead.
In April 2004 the first Concorde used by British Airways departed on its final journey loaded on a semi-submersible pontoon, the Terra Marique, down the River Thames to its final home at The Museum of Flight near Edinburgh in Scotland.
The Terra Marique (Latin meaning 'Land and Seas') is unique, combining state-of-the-art technology with traditional marine and heavy transport engineering. Its hydraulic roadway and ballast system allow it to load cargo in different ways, including lift-on, lift-off and roll-on, roll-off. It can operate as a semi-submersible pontoon to erect, repair or replace bridges over waterways, and as a mobile dry dock and ship lift.
Vesconite Hilube plates are used as low friction slides for the Terra Marique's deck raising and lowering system. Because of Vesconite's Hilube's high load capacity and low friction, it overcomes the motor vibration previously experienced when the deck was raised or lowered.
The Concorde flew over the Vesconite factory during her trials, and rode on Vesconite Hilube plates on her last journey. May she rest in peace.
