Ahead of the new museum’s highly anticipated launch this summer, Aerospace Bristol has today taken the wraps off its star attraction: Concorde 216, the last of the supersonic passenger jets to be built and the last to fly.

Concorde had been wrapped in protective film while works took place around the aircraft and the end wall of her new purpose-built hangar was built. The challenging task of wrapping and unwrapping a supersonic passenger jet was accepted and successfully completed by protective film specialists Packexe.

Lloyd Burnell, Executive Director, Aerospace Bristol, said: “It’s fantastic to see Concorde unwrapped and looking stunning in her brand new home. As the centrepiece of Aerospace Bristol’s exhibition, Concorde will inspire the next generation to pursue careers in engineering and develop the big ideas of tomorrow. We can’t wait to welcome our first visitors on board this summer.”

Packexe CEO, Andrew Orchard, said: “We pride ourselves on innovation and have over 25 years’ experience of using our technology and expertise. Although we usually supply protective film for various industries, we are always ready to meet a new challenge. So when Aerospace Bristol, one of our favourite charities, asked us to wrap Concorde to protect her from the final stages of building works – how could we refuse?”

Aerospace Bristol is being developed by the Bristol Aero Collection Trust, a registered charity that relies on corporate supporters and public donations. With a further £2m required to finalise the £19m project, the charity is currently seeking supporters who share their aim of inspiring the next generation to reach their full potential and pursue careers in science and engineering. To make a donation or offer support visit aerospacebristol.org or call 01179 315 315 during office hours.

Starting in the earliest days of flight, when Bristol Boxkite biplanes flew over Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge, Aerospace Bristol will transport visitors through more than one hundred years of fascinating aviation history. Visitors will travel through two world wars, exploring the vital role of aircraft in these conflicts, through the drama and technological advances of the space race and on to the modern day, where they will discover the latest technologies of today’s aerospace industry. As a first-class museum with learning at its heart, Aerospace Bristol aims to inspire the next generation of engineers with remarkable stories of ingenious design and engineering innovation.

Concorde unwrapped ahead of Aerospace Bristol opening