A Herculean Goodbye
Final flyover for legendary aircraft
RAF Lyneham waved goodbye to its longest and best-serving aircraft yesterday, as the four Hercules C-130s took off for their final flight.
Hundreds of people lined the streets of nearby towns and villages to bid an emotional farewell to 'Fat Albert', as the plane has become affectionately known. A familiar site in the skies over Swindon for nearly 50 years.
Final flight from RAF Lyneham:
four Hercules C-130s |
The official flyover was organised just weeks before RAF Lyneham closes as an operational base for the RAF’s Tactical Air Transport Force, with all aircraft and support moving to RAF Brize Norton.
"It's the end of a proud era for everyone who has served at Lyneham," said station commander Gp Capt John Gladstone.