By David Stewart White
15 October, 2010
One of the slowest rides in Britain may soon be joined by what was one of the fastest. A group of investors wants to display a retired British Airways Concorde supersonic jet on a pier next to the London Eye observation wheel. The slow-turning observation wheel has become an iconic London tourist attraction, taking millions of passengers for a spin at a glacial 0.6 miles per hour. The Concorde, which last flew in 2003, cruised at just over 1,300 miles per hour.
Tentative designs show the Concorde perched on the top deck of a two level building jutting out into the River Thames near the London Eye. Backers plan to operate a museum of British racing cars in the lower level. The tourist-filled County Hall area, which is within sight of Parliament and Big Ben, already hosts the Sea Life London Aquarium and the Namco video game/amusement center. Amphibious "Duck" tours of London launch nearby.
Another British Airways Concorde is on riverside display at the Intrepid Air and Sea Museum in New York City. The Concorde that is proposed for display in London is currently parked outside of a hanger at Heathrow Airport.
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