The identity of a helicopter spotted flying only feet away from houses in Chelmsford yesterday (August 7) night has been confirmed as from the RAF.
The RAF Merlin aircraft from 28th Squadron was given permission to swoop at a low altitude over the city and could be heard after 10pm. It was on a regular training exercise and stopped off on the e2v football pitch as part of a pre-arranged "drop and land" activity.
It sparked the curiosity of dozens of people who took to Twitter and the Essex Chronicle Facebook page to report the disturbance caused by the sighting.
Experts immediately identified it as an military helicopter:
@phil_space@Essex_Chronicle I second that, definitely a Merlin, was very low over the flats on the village
— Matthew Cuff Smith (@cuff9) August 8, 2014
@essex_chronicle Yes, a Merlin from RAF Benson I believe, id guess at night time flying training
— Martin Francis (@phil_space) August 7, 2014
@Essex_Chronicle I can confirm military, the RAF logo could be seen on the undercarriage
— Tom Clarke (@essextc) August 7, 2014
An RAF spokesman said they were using nearby helicopter landing sites, which include Boreham, and e2v, for training. The aircraft was back at RAF Benson by midnight.
"It's something that they do on a regular basis," she said. "They never know when they are going to be needed and they will practice in various areas around the country.
"They have to be prepared for landing at any time."
An e2v spokesman confirmed prior authorisation for landing had been granted.
