Hercules farewell flypast will pass Salisbury today

One of the RAF’s longest-serving aeroplanes will carry out a farewell flight today after around 60 years of duty.

The first Hercules arrived at Marshall’s of Cambridge in December 1966 Hercules. Since entering RAF service, with 242 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Thorney Island, it has operated globally in support of UK military and humanitarian relief operations.

The aeroplanes takes off from Brize Norton this morning before taking on a loop around the country.

We are due to see the ‘Hercs’ in the Wiltshire skies this afternoon after it loops around Southampton and the Isle of Wight before heading north towards Boscombe Down where it is due at 4:22 pm this afternoon.

The plane will come from a southwesterly direction after passing over Tollard Royal, where it is due at 4:16pm

It is thought that places like Old Sarum would be the best vantage points to spot the flypast this afternoon.

The Hercules Full Route:

1000    Depart RAF Brize Norton

1025    National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas

1034    RAF Cosford

1122    RAF Valley

1148    FS Aldergrove

1251    RAF Lossiemouth (with Typhoon escort)

1408    RAF Leeming

1410    RAF Topcliffe

1423    Beverley

1435    RAF Waddington

1438    RAF College Cranwell

1458    Cambridge Airport

1504    RAF Mildenhall

1515    Colchester Garrison

1622    MOD Boscombe Down

1625    Salisbury Plain (West Down Camp)

1632    MOD Lyneham

1636    Royal Wootton Bassett

1639    Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham

1643    Dalton Barracks, Abingdon

1651    RAF Halton

1655    RAF High Wycombe

1705    RAF Brize Norton

Feature Image: RAF