DID you manage to spot a large military plane flying over the Chester area this morning?

Many residents were able to spot an RAF Atlas C.1 (A400M) military plane flying over Chester and nearby areas at around 9am today (Tuesday, February 28). The plane is said to have flown very low over the city centre area.

According to Flight Radar 24, the aircraft took off from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire at around 8.22am and was scheduled to land at Newcastle Airport at around 10.55am. The plane circled the area between Chester and Wrexham for around 45 minutes, before heading further north.

Chester and District Standard: The Atlas A400M as seen by one of our readers.The Atlas A400M as seen by one of our readers. (Image: Newsquest)

The aircraft is based at RAF Brize Norton where it flies with the 206 Squadron, 30 Squadron, LXX Squadron and XXIV Squadron. Although able to operate at altitudes of up to 40,000ft, Atlas is also known for its impressive low-level capability.

Flight Radar 24 recorded the plane flying at around 1,700ft whilst in the Chester area this morning.

The specialised vehicle can 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. It also can reach a top speed of 741 km/h.