As can be seen in the photograph, temperatures of 127 degrees Celsius were reached in the nose of the plane due to friction with the air. At maximum speed, the temperature could reach more than 150 degrees Celsius in the nose.
This heating lengthened the fuselage by up to 30 centimeters, which represents up to 0.5% of the original length of the plane on the ground. When it cooled, the Concorde returned to its original length.
The temperatures reached were such that even the paint played an important role. The paint was designed to dissipate the temperature of the plane's surface and could only be white.
If the plane was not painted white, the speed had to be reduced since the heat generated was not dissipated. In addition, the paint was flexible: this way, cracks did not occur when the plane stretched.
As can be seen in the photograph, temperatures of 127 degrees Celsius were reached in the nose of the plane due to friction with the air. At maximum speed, the temperature could reach more than 150 degrees Celsius in the nose.
This heating lengthened the fuselage by up to 30 centimeters, which represents up to 0.5% of the original length of the plane on the ground. When it cooled, the Concorde returned to its original length.
The temperatures reached were such that even the paint played an important role. The paint was designed to dissipate the temperature of the plane's surface and could only be white.
If the plane was not painted white, the speed had to be reduced since the heat generated was not dissipated. In addition, the paint was flexible: this way, cracks did not occur when the plane stretched.