Residents in the North East have been treated to a range of incredible and huge RAF Aircraft over the years so we’ve had a look at some of the imposing aircraft that we’ve spotted over recent years.

Thanks to both regional RAF bases and airports it’s not unusual to see military aircraft flying overhead.

However, sometimes we all just can’t help but look up in awe when one of the incredibly engineered monsters roars through the sky above us.

RAF Atlas spotted over Darlington and Teesside

The Northern Echo: Picture: CIARAN POOLEPicture: CIARAN POOLE (Image: Picture: CIARAN POOLE)

Just the other day the region was treated to the sight of an RAF Atlas flying over Darlington and Teesside.

The aircraft was spotted circling over the region with some lucky people capturing pictures of the incredible machine.

The RAF Atlas took a short trip over Darlington, Middleton St George and Middlesbrough on Tuesday, March 7.

The Airbus A400M Atlas is a European four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft.

It is used to carry heavy loads and in addition to its transport capabilities, the A400M can perform aerial refuelling and medical evacuation.

Boeing C-17A Globemaster III spotted over County Durham

The Northern Echo: Picture: PAUL GALEPicture: PAUL GALE (Image: Picture: PAUL GALE)

In March last year this immense aircraft was spotted flying over the County Durham and Teesside airport.

Many believed that the plane was destined for Ukraine to deliver aid to the war-torn country, many others enquired whether it was a military training exercise over the UK.

Aspokesperson from the RAF said: “An RAF Globemaster C-17 from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire was completing routine training in the Yorkshire and Teesside region.”

The same aircraft was spotted in August that year again and the mammoth wowed those who saw it once again.

The aircraft, which is based at RAF Brize Norton, is described as being long range and designed to closely support the military in areas where there is combat.

USAF F15 spotted over Aycliffe, Darlington and North Yorkshire

The Northern Echo: Picture: PHILIP SEDGWICKPicture: PHILIP SEDGWICK (Image: Picture: PHILIP SEDGWICK)

Residents were woken up to the sound of a rumbling jet as it soared over the skies of County Durham, Darlington and North Yorkshire in October 2022.

People in Newton Aycliffe heard the roar of an US Air Force F15 as it looped over the town.

Just minutes before, residents in Darlington, Richmond and Ripon reported hearing the unusual noise as it tore above them. 

A spokesperson for the USAF told The Northern Echo at the time: "Our aircraft fly throughout the United Kingdom on routine training missions which sometimes takes them over North Yorkshire.

"Our aircraft also fly across Europe to participate in exercises alongside partner nations and in support of NATO missions."