THE first Airbus Super-Jumbo wing this week began its journey to France.

A media scrum descended on Broughton to see the biggest wing ever built leave the West factory and make its way to the banks of the River Dee.

For those who've seen the wing, it is an awesome sight. Forty-five metres long and supported on a 96-wheel transporter, it is not only amazing to think it could actually fly, but that anyone had the vision to imagine it in the first place.

Things have not been plain sailing for this project. There was the struggle to get a grant from the Welsh Assembly to build the West Factory and create 1,700 jobs.

Then there was September 11 and the downturn in the aircraft industry, which saw Airbus freeze its apprenticeship programme.

It is awaiting the Environment Agency's decision on whether Mostyn Docks is allowed to dredge a channel for the ship which will take the wings to France.

But Airbus remains confident it will be able to deliver the world's biggest aircraft on time in 2006.

Most of the 1,700 workers and apprentices at the West Factory gathered on Monday morning to watch the first wing, the starboard or right wing, leave the factory.

The atmosphere was one of nervous excitement as they saw the wing roll out.

The wing will never fly, nor will its partner, instead, they will be tested until destruction in France to en-sure they're capable and safe.

It was not a perfect day for a maiden voyage, with lashing rain and blustery wind making those of us a little less technically minded wonder whether the wing may be blown over, but the Airbus transport crew knew better and confidently sent the wing on its way.

The transporter carried the wing, directed by a wire guidance system under the road.

Once it reached the edge of the Airbus site the West Factory road intersected with the B5129 Salt-ney Ferry Road. Barriers came down to close the road to traffic and the wing began its journey over the Chester-Holyhead railway and to a specially built loading bay on the banks of the Dee.

Estimated as a 10-minute road closure, this journey showed the road will be closed for 40 minutes to an hour for each wing.

Once it reached the railway bridge a complex raising and tilting operation began to enable the wing to clear the bridge. Despite the slow progress, the wing cut an imposing figure against the backdrop of farms in Sandycroft.

A handful of people responded to media reports of the journey by turning up to watch.

Airbus's vice-president in charge of manufacturing Brian Fleet said: 'This month is a significant one for Airbus and for Wales as the test set of wings make their departure.

'They drove along the road to the load-out facility on Monday, were loaded on to the barge on Tuesday and taken to the Port of Mostyn to meet the mothership on Wednesday. The barge comes back on Thursday for the left side wings.

'The mothership will not arrive until next week to take them to Bordeaux.'