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Hercules aircraft stage poignant fly past at RAF Lossiemouth for last time

Three Hercules got an escort from Tyhpoon jets today before they are retired at the end of the month.

Three Hercules planes in formation flanked by two Typhoon jets.
The three Hercules aircraft received a guard of honour from Typhoon jets at RAF Lossiemouth. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

One of the miltary’s most iconic aircraft have made a poignant final flypast at RAF Lossiemouth.

Three Hercules planes roared over the Moray airbase on a final flight across the UK.

And for their last trip to RAF Lossiemouth, they received a guard of honour from two Typhoon jets.

Wide shot of three Hercules planes banking to the right with a Typhoon jet over the countryside.
Three Hercules over the Moray countryside near RAF Lossiemouth for the final time. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

The Hercules has been a transporting armed forces personnel to deployments across the world since 1966.

However, after nearly 60 years on the front line, the current C-130 model, which dates from the 1990s, is being retired.

And as a recognition of its contribution to the RAF, a final farewell flight featuring three Hercules is being organised for people to get one final look.

The aircraft will took off from RAF Brize Norton today at 10am and arrived at RAF Lossiemouth shortly before 1pm.

Cars lined up in a field with drivers looking to the sky with RAF Lossiemouth in the background.
The Hercules fly past drew a crowd to the area surrounding RAF Lossiemouth. Image: Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

The event proved to be popular with plane spotters across the UK.

Crowns of enthusiasts lined the fences at RAF Lossiemouth to get a a last glimpse of the distinctive Hercules planes, which will be retired on June 30.

Summer of air displays at RAF Lossiemouth and Peterhead

The Hercules flypast at RAF Lossiemouth comes ahead of more air displays on the Moray coast in July.

The famous Red Arrows will perform at the base’s annual families and friends day on July 22 with the Typhoon display team, Falcons and a Battle of Britain memorial flight also taking place.

Only friends and family of RAF personnel will be allowed to enter the base for the event, but the displays will be visible to those outside the fence.

Five Red Arrows plane shoot out from a central point with blue and red smoke.
The Red Arrows are expected to put on another stunning display in Peterhead and Lossiemouth this year. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson.

The event comes a day after the Red Arrows are due to perform in Aberdeenshire as part of the annual Peterhead Week on July 21.

Also performing on the day will be the RAF’s annual parachute display team as part of the largest air displays held at the event.

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