There were two McGregors in the skies above Scotland on Thursday, as Black Hawk Down star Ewan McGregor flew into action in one of the RAF’s fastest warplanes – piloted by his big brother.
On screen the Scottish actor may have experienced fast living and hyperspace travel in films such as Moulin Rouge and Star Wars, but he admitted that life on the big screen was not nearly as thrilling as the charity flight around Scotland. Flying the RAF Tornado GR1 was elder sibling Flight Lieutenant Colin McGregor, an RAF pilot for ten years.
Ewan, 30, was wired up to a mini-camera to record his reactions as he hurtled at speeds of up to 620mph through Glen Tilt, nicknamed “Star Wars Alley” by fast jet crews. After landing, he described the flight as “unbelievable” and “awesome” if “a little disorientating”.
“The first time you pull G-force your suit inflates and your eyeballs are coming out of your head and it does make you feel a little queasy. I’m glad they don’t trust me to do that,” he said.
Big brother Colin said the star actor had been “a very good passenger” and “well behaved”.
The flight, which took off from RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, was to benefit Rachel House, Scotland’s only children’s hospice which is located in Kinross, Perthshire.
The Hollywood star is an ardent supporter of the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. Crew and staff at RAF Lossiemouth are hoping to raise £20,000 for the charity.
Ewan will be hitting the big screens again later this year in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
