Huge military plane spotted flying over St Helens

An Airbus A400M was seen by residents as it flew over the River Mersey, Wirral, Liverpool and St Helens yesterday, Wednesday.

The plane, typically referred to as Atlas by the RAF, has the ability to carry a 37-tonne payload over 2,000nm to established and remote civilian and military airfields, and short unprepared or semi-prepared strips. 

The plane flying over the River Mersey (Image: Ian Fairbrother)

It will accommodate as many as 116 fully-equipped troops; vehicles; helicopters, including a Chinook; mixed loads, including nine aircraft pallets and 54 passengers, or combinations of vehicles, pallets and personnel, up to a payload of 37 tonnes.

The plane first set off from RAF Brize Norton in Carterton and headed towards Isle of Man, where it circled for some time.

Flight route (Image: FlightRadar24)

The plane then headed for Merseyside, where it was seen flying low over the River Mersey.

The aircrafts often visit Merseyside for training exercises and have been seen on a number of occasions circling over the region.

Airbus A400M Atlas (Image: Ian Fairbrother)