Concorde Myth...

[Aviation_Enthusiast]

The fuselage of the Concorde stretches (lengthens) by twenty centimetres or so at supersonic speeds due to the extreme temperatures produced on the fuselage skin. As I was reading a magazine a few years ago, I read a short article that was supposedly a true story…

“Supersonic Library”
“During supersonic flight, Concorde grows up to 25 cm longer. When a crew member slotted a book into a gap in the wall of the plane during a flight he was surprised to find that on landing the gap had disappeared and so had the book. The book reappeared on the next supersonic flight when the gap opened up again.”

(Quest: Adventures in the World of Science, “Flight 2000”, pg. 40)

Does anyone know if there is any truth to this story (other than the fact that the fuselage stretches)? Are there any websites that collaborate this story, even if they do not provide names and dates? Any information is appreciated.

[Edited by Aviation_Enthusiast on 16th January 2005 at 15:56]

[caveman123456]

I just email British Airways. If anyone would know, they would. I'm expecting to hear back from them in a while, will keep you posted.

[Riddle_Eagle]

I'm not understanding all of what your asking but I do understand some. Titanium(which some of the concord is made of) streches when pushed to extreme temperatures. This is the same thing on the SR-71.