Aircraft

In pictures: Best shots of C-130 Hercules farewell tour across UK

The Hercules flypast marked the end of the plane's service in the UK (Picture: MOD).

The RAF Hercules flypast took place on June 14 2023 (Picture: MOD). — The RAF Hercules flypast took place on 14 June (Picture: MOD).

Three Hercules flew around the UK as part of its retirement flypast (Picture: MOD).

Three Hercules marked the end of their service by flying around the UK (Picture: MOD).

Three RAF Hercules C-130 aircraft have conducted a tour of the UK as a farewell ahead of their withdrawal from service at the end of June (Picture: MOD).

A Hercules C-130 from 47 squadron accompanied by a Typhoon on a final fly-past before its forthcoming retirement (Picture: MOD). — A Hercules C-130 from 47 Squadron accompanied by a Typhoon on a final flypast before its forthcoming retirement (Picture: MOD).

A Hercules C-130 from 47 squadron on a final fly-past before its retirement (Picture: MOD). — A Hercules C-130 from 47 Squadron on a final flypast before its retirement (Picture: MOD).

People across the UK looked to the skies as three Hercules C-130s marked their retirement from service with a nationwide flypast.

The three RAF aircraft conducted a tour of the UK as a farewell to the country ahead of their withdrawal from service at the end of June.

The trio of C-130s took off at RAF Brize Norton at 10:00 BST on Wednesday and flew over locations significant to the Hercules' service before returning to th Oxfordshire base at 17:05.

Social media was filled with videos and pictures of their appearances all over the UK.

The call signs for the three aircraft were OMEN 1, 2 and 3.

Yesterday the Hercules C-130J saluted the nation with a flypast around the country. Share your memories below as we say goodbye to this legendary aircraft.#Hercules #C130J pic.twitter.com/bY7P84x5Ed
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) June 15, 2023

The first Hercules arrived at Marshall's of Cambridge in December 1966.

Known as the workhorse of the RAF, the Hercules has been the backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks for decades, working around the globe on military and humanitarian relief operations.

The Hercules is being replaced by a fleet of 22 Atlas A400Ms, supported by other RAF aircraft.