The Cold War era B1 bombers that have been flying from RAF Fairford over the past week prompted memories of another aviation icon that was tested at the base more than half a century ago.
The first of the British version of Concorde - 002 - made its maiden flight in 1969, from Filton to Fairford with Brian Trubshaw at the controls.
Scientists and engineers from BAC moved into the area while exhaustive tests were carried out so the supersonic aircraft could be given a certificate of airworthiness. Concorde returned in 1985 to appear at the International Air Tattoo.
But while it became the fastest and one of the most famous passenger planes in the world, it wasn't a huge commercial success. It was eventually retired 20 years ago this year. The cost of operating was high and in 2000 an Air France flight crashed after take-off, killing more than 100 people. It was the only fatal crash involving a Concorde.
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