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The most famous and recognizable part of one the world’s most famous and iconic aircraft is going up for auction, and it could be yours forever.
The “droop nose” of a test specimen of the Concorde, currently housed in Kansas City, Missouri, will be auctioned off later this month, with auctioneers expecting the item to fetch at least $250,000.
A rare, yet recognizable piece like this from an aircraft type that has not flown for more than 15 years would make an amazing addition to any aviation enthusiast’s collection. If you’re thinking of bidding, you’ll need a pretty big mantlepiece on which to store this — the nose is 25 feet in length.
Despite the logistics of transporting and exhibiting such an unusually shaped and large item, auctioneer Jonathan Humbert told the BBC that the Concorde nose has “already generated global interest”, hence the expected high price tag.
While both British Airways and Air France operated the 14 Concordes produced for commercial services, this is a piece from a test specimen from the additional six aircraft produced for development and testing purposes. It did not belong to either of these airlines and is believed to have been manufactured in the 1960s.
If you’re interested in the possibility of taking home this piece of aviation history, the auction will take place at The Saleroom in Northamptonshire at 11am UK time on June 20, 2019, by auctioneers Humber & Ellis Ltd. You can also register to bid online here.
Starting bids have been set at $114,000, with a buyer’s premium of 23.4% (including sales tax). The lucky bidder will also be responsible for all transport costs from Missouri. US residents can bid, though payments will only be accepted by bankers draft or money order in pounds sterling.
Featured image by David Parker/BWP Media/Getty Images
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