Giant RAF plane spotted in skies above Edinburgh

New photo shows the A400 flying above the city.

A new photo has emerged showing the giant RAF carrier plane flying over Edinburgh this morning.

The 128 tonne A400, which can carry more than a hundred fully armed troops along with tactical vehicles and helicopters in its cargo hold, was sent from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire to perform training manoeuvres above the capital.

Eagle-eyed local resident, John Maloney, managed to snap a photo of A400 Atlas with his 300mm at 10:20am – as it travelled at around 150 knots.

"I shot it from my window,” John said, “as it did a few circuits.”

“By that stage the plane would have been around 1400 feet,” he added.

Three weeks ago, the RAF flew a C-17 - a military plane designed by Boeing - over Edinburgh, Newcastle and Birmingham as part of its crew’s training mission.

After completing their training over the skies of Edinburgh, the A400 Atlas RAF crew headed on to Shobdon and Gloucester, South of the border.

Designed by Airbus to replace older transport planes, the huge aircraft, based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, can carry more than 100 fully-equipped troops - as well as tactical vehicles and helicopters - inside its cargo hold. (Credit: John Maloney)

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