Air enthusiasts could have been forgiven for thinking they had drunk too much pre-Christmas sherry when Typhoon aircraft were spotted landing at RAF Leuchars just months after the aircraft relocated to RAF Lossiemouth in Moray.
The Lossiemouth-based aircraft were diverted to Leuchars after a cross-runway arrester cable was deployed at Lossiemouth to bring to a halt an aircraft that was reporting brake hydraulic problems.
High winds prevented the Typhoon aircraft, which were out on exercise, from using Lossiemouth’s short runway.
This meant the aircraft were temporarily diverted to their nearest alternative RAF runway, which was RAF Leuchars.
The unexpected arrival of the jets at Leuchars led to a flurry of comments on social media.
Sam Jones said: “Wondered why there were so many jets circling while I was riding around Tentsmuir.”
Gary Parsons said: “Shows the need to keep Leuchars manned at all times.”
An RAF Leuchars spokesperson told The Courier: “The aircraft are here as the result of a routine diversion.”
Leuchars is now focused on becoming home to the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, 2 Close Support Battalion of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and 110 Provost Company of the Royal Military Police, which are due to arrive en masse in 2015.
Although the colour of the bases’ uniform will predominantly change from blue to green, it is intended that a skeleton RAF staff will remain at Leuchars to maintain a diversionary runway.