Titanic tandem-rotor helicopters may be spotted hovering above Greater Manchester this week, the Royal Air Force has confirmed.
Army pilots will be steering Chinook choppers right across the North-West over the next few days, with Lancs Live reporting that the colossal aircraft will be taking to the skies as part of a training exercise.
The helicopters are set to be visible above Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire up until next Friday (July 2), but you may hear them before you see them.
During flight, Chinooks emit a distinctive, throbbing whir – meaning you’re likely to know when they’re nearby.
An RAF training exercise is taking place in the North West this week / Image: Wikimedia Commons
Pilots will be whisking the choppers through the Manchester skies during daylight hours.
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An RAF spokesperson commented: “The exercise is the final part of the operational flying phase of the Chinook training course run by 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson; the Operational Conversion Unit for the Puma and Chinook Forces.
“The aircraft will primarily be operating in the areas surrounding RAF Woodvale and RAF Leeming, which could include the Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, York and Middlesbrough areas.
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“The course qualifies pilots and crewmen to operate the Chinook helicopter on operations within the UK and when deployed overseas.”
The RAF emphasises that the “essential training” will provide key skills required after pilots graduate from the Operational Conversion Unit and are posted to a front-line helicopter squadron.
The spokesperson added: “The operational phase of the course is the culmination of months of training by the students and, all being well, will see them return to RAF Benson ready to graduate.”
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Keep your eyes peeled!
Featured image: Wikimedia Commons
Manchester
Kings of Leon announce Manchester arena show on short run of UK dates
Daisy Jackson
Kings of Leon have just announced a short run of UK shows for next year, which includes an arena gig here in Manchester.
The multi-Grammy Award-winning rock band will be performing at the Co-op Live arena, along with two other British dates in Leeds and Glasgow.
Kings of Leon are one of the biggest alternative rock bands in the world, and never fail to sell out arenas in Manchester when they perform here.
The group of brothers (plus one cousin) have headlined some of the world’s most iconic festivals, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Lollapalooza, as well as reclaiming an all-time attendance record with a fifth night at Hyde Park in London last year.
Kings of Leon have been dominating charts for more than 20 years, ever since the release of their debut album Youth & Young Manhood in 2003.
They now have nine studio albums, including last year’s Can We Please Have Fun, which (as with all their albums so far) comfortably reached the top 10 of the UK Albums Chart.
The band is made up of Caleb, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, and just last week they dropped an EP with four new songs.
Now, it’s another brief run of live shows for the UK, with Kings of Leon performing at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 4 July 2026.
Tickets for Kings of Leon in Manchester will go on sale from 9am on Friday 21 November, and you can get yours HERE.
Pulp announce epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Daisy Jackson
Pulp have been announced as the latest headliners of next year’s Live from Wythenshawe Park gig series – and they’re bringing a very special guest along to support.
The legendary Sheffield band will be joined by fellow Sheffielders Self Esteem for the outdoor summer show.
The news of Pulp’s epic gig in Wythenshawe Park follows a run of live reunion shows this year and the release of More, their first album in 24 years.
Jarvis Cocker, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks, Mark Webber, and their collaborators will bring their electric live show to Manchester in summer 2026.
This will be the only chance to see Pulp perform outdoors up north next year.
Their announcement concludes the line-up for Live from Wythenshawe Park, which now consists of The Cure, Lewis Capaldi, Courteeners, The Prodigy and Pulp across five nights in August.
Pulp have announced an epic Live from Wythenshawe Park gig, with support from Self Esteem
Founded in the late 1970s in Sheffield, Pulp have become one of Britain’s best-loved bands and proudest exports, from Common People and Disco 2000 to This Is Hardcore.
Pulp with be joined at Wythenshawe Park by Self Esteem, the critically-acclaimed fearless pop project of Rebecca Lucy Taylor.
Pulp will play Live From Wythenshawe Park on Friday 28 August 2026, with tickets going on general sale on Friday 21 November at 10am HERE.
There’s also a pre-sale live on Wednesday if you sign up HERE.
Live from Wythenshawe Park 2026 line-up
Friday 21 August – The Cure (Sold Out) Saturday 22 August – Lewis Capaldi (Sold Out) Friday 28 August – Pulp (Just Announced) Saturday 29 August – Courteeners (Sold Out) Sunday 30 August – The Prodigy (Last Remaining Tickets)
The Manc -
25th June 2021 
