Golfers had to beware of low-flying giant aircraft
A huge new military plane has been causing a stir by practising low level flying sorties over Arran.
One of the best sightings of the new Airbus A400M Atlas was over Brodick Golf Club last Wednesday night when it was captured on camera by golfer David Hendry in this dramatic picture.
David told the Banner: ‘I was waiting to play at the second tee when suddenly this huge aircraft appeared to come out of nowhere. I have never seen anything so low. I grabbed my phone and luckily managed to get a quick snap before it dis- appeared up Glen Rosa or Glen Shurig.’
However, it was only one of a number of sightings of the aircraft, which are being brought in to the replace the aging C-130 Hercules fleet, with reports across the island as well as from mainland Scotland.
The new Airbus A400 are entering RAF service and are believed to be working up to operational status from Prestwick. Comments on social media included: ‘It came over the farm and frightened me and the dogs to death didn’t think it was going to clear the top of the string but it did! So low.’
Another said: ‘It came very, very low through the Shiskine Valley down towards Blackwaterfoot.
‘This is the second one I’ve seen recently. Enough to frighten all the wildlife!’
And a cyclist added: ‘I was cycling south out of Corrie when it came past about 100 feet off the water. Spectacular.’
The RAF took delivery of the first Airbus A400M Atlas aircraft in 2014 and the staged delivery of a further 21 aircraft is expected to be complete by 2019 ahead of the planned retirement from RAF service of the Hercules fleet in 2022.