Sheffield man snaps picture of huge Beluga aircraft flying over South Yorkshire

This huge Beluga aircraft was snapped from Sheffield as it passed over South Yorkshire.
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The super transporter plane, named after the whale it resembles, was captured by Sheffield resident Sam Wragg.

“I was at Thorncliffe Pond, Chapeltwon, when I heard the plane but I couldn’t see it at first,” he said.

This Airbus A300-608ST Beluga was snapped passing over South Yorkshire by Sam WraggThis Airbus A300-608ST Beluga was snapped passing over South Yorkshire by Sam Wragg
This Airbus A300-608ST Beluga was snapped passing over South Yorkshire by Sam Wragg
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“Eventually it appeared from the cloud and must have been over Barnsley. It was a one shot chance and fortunately I captured it.”

The unmistakable aircraft, used to carry oversized air cargo, can regularly be spotted in the skies above South Yorkshire.

The Airbus A300-608ST Beluga, to give the behemoth its full name, passes over Doncaster and Barnsley, where it is visible from the north of Sheffield, on its route between Hamburg and Chester Airport.

The Airbus A300-608ST Beluga's route between Hamburg and Chester Airport (pic: flightradar24.com)The Airbus A300-608ST Beluga's route between Hamburg and Chester Airport (pic: flightradar24.com)
The Airbus A300-608ST Beluga's route between Hamburg and Chester Airport (pic: flightradar24.com)

It has made the journey four times during the last week, including on Wednesday, February 3, when it passed over South Yorkshire at around 2.25pm and was snapped by Mr Wragg.

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The BelugaST, which has been operating since 1995, is a whopping 56.17m long, with a 44.84m wingspan and can carry up to 47 tonnes.

The distinctive plane is able to carry major components, including fuselage sections, wings and tails, for Airbus’ other aircraft.

It is also is used for special worldwide operations for items like helicopters, satellite components or complete satellites.

Incredibly it now has an even bigger sister, the BelugaXL, which is being phased in by Airbus and will operate in parallel with the company’s five A300-600STs which are currently in service before replacing them completely.