Monster of an flying insect

[h20vrrq]

Hi, I was in the garden this evening when I heard this insect before I saw it, I guess it sounded like a dragonfly but I dont think it is (havnt got a clue really). All I know it was a lot bigger than any insect I have seen before.

My wife and me describe it like this: -

About 2.5-3" long, long wings that looked they were the length of its body, mainly orange/brown in colour but not dull, quite a thick body (about the size of a thumb) and a long sting which looked quite low down.

It landed on the garden fence, sat there for a while, walked around a bit then flew to another fence panel.

I think I have seen another one of these at a local garden centre last week.

Sorry no picture, it vanished before I returned with the camera.

[Fourwings]

Sounds like a Horntail Urocerus gigas, a very large species of Wood wasp.