Lucky guests got to marvel at a beautifully restored Concorde today.

Cambs Times: The Concorde is lit in patriotic red, white and blue. Copyright IWM.The Concorde is lit in patriotic red, white and blue. Copyright IWM. (Image: Archant)

Duxford Aviation Society revealed newly-restored features on its Concorde at Imperial War Museum Duxford to mark the 11th anniversary of the last commercial Concorde flight.

Following 18 months of painstaking restoration work, it features fully-functional cockpit lighting and the operation of the aircraft’s droop nose.

The restoration was carried out with the help of Heritage Concorde, a group of ex-Concorde engineers and enthusiasts who generously gave their time and expertise to help complete this ambitious restoration project.

David Garside, chairman of Duxford Aviation Society said: “It is 37 years since Concorde G-AXDN was flown to IWM Duxford and since the hydraulic and electrical systems were last in operation.

Cambs Times: The newly restored cockpit lighting. Copyright IWMThe newly restored cockpit lighting. Copyright IWM (Image: Archant)

“The restoration projects have required the servicing and overhaul of many intricate components and considerable patience and determination has been required over a two-year period to ensure their successful completion.”

John Hutchinson, a veteran Concorde pilot said, of flying the Concorde: “It was quite an extraordinary feeling. You had no sensation of speed at all.

“Other aircraft looked as if they were going backwards. You were hanging motionless, suspended in space, it was Mother Earth doing all of the work.

“It was totally different to the normal subsonic experience. It was magical, beyond any words I can use.”

Cambs Times: Retired Concorde pilot John Hutchinson addresses the invited audience. Copyright Darren Harbar incorporating Focal Plane Images.Retired Concorde pilot John Hutchinson addresses the invited audience. Copyright Darren Harbar incorporating Focal Plane Images. (Image: Darren Harbar Photography)