The Mystery of the Yellow Table – Part 2

Following our initial article, the research continues. To date, we have received no testimony or conclusive information regarding the following questions:

• Is it indeed the SA table that was reused and modified?

• Is it a new table in the SB?

• What type of table legs will we need to make?

To try and find an answer, last week Laurent, during a trip to Toulouse, was able, thanks to the help of our friends at Aerotheque, to take some detailed photos in the rear cabin of the SB.

Upon his return, it becomes clear that:

- the answer to our first question is  NO.

- the answer to the second question is  YES.

- the third question is nullified because it will be obvious in a final decision.

Now, comparing the few photos taken in 1973 in the SA cabin and Laurent's, large differences appear between the two tables.

The SB tabletop is at a height of 799 mm from the cabin floor, as seen above on the cabin side wall, which is approximately 50/60 mm below the base of the portholes.

As can be seen here, the SA platform is approximately 100mm lower.

The base of the SA table, which fixes and secures the assembly onto the seat rails, does not have the same shape on the SB.

The front face and sides are constructed as a single piece for the SA.

On the SB the construction is completely different and carried out in two parts.

Here we can see on the SB the fixings in the floor rails, and one of the two magnets fixed to the table frame and two metal plates fixed on the sides to keep the whole thing closed.

The issue of the table leg is no longer relevant.

In the SB, the recess is wider and not on the same side; perhaps items were stored there. This space is now occupied by a dehumidifier, which we believe was installed when the SB was first opened to the public, when it was still outdoors. We believe the dehumidifier was switched off when the SB was moved inside the Aeroscopia Museum 10 years ago.

The central foot of the SA served only as a link between the base and the platform.

Regarding the tablets that are in front of each passenger in the original photos, we cannot see them very precisely, but we can assume that they were inspired by them when constructing the SB table.

Laurent's detailed photos give us a good idea for what's to come.

This detail which was very rarely seen in the original photos, is interesting on the two extensions sold at the auction on March 3, 2019, Thanks to a contributor from the Facebook group "Fan de Concorde" for this find, he will recognize himself.

And by chance… if the lucky owner of these tablets could contact us… we could see firsthand the work involved and the TRUE COLOUR of this table.

Finally, since we have no information about what became of the SA table, and still determined to beautify the SA's rear cabin, we will contact the Boulle School again to consider having their students create a replica of a table for our aircraft.

To be continued…