50 years fly by

Nicknamed Fat Albert by its crews, the aircraft can be seen and heard droning its way over the town on their way to land.

But this year the aircraft is celebrating its 50th birthday.

Although the RAF did not receive its first Hercules until 1967, the design pre-dates the Suez crisis.

This aviation landmark is being observed by the Royal Internat-ional Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in July.

Officially called the Lockheed C-130 Hercules the plane was originally designed as an assault transport. Over the years it has been adapted for many other uses but it is still primarily a load-lifter.

The first Hercules made its maiden flight in August 1954 in California and more than 2,200 have been built since.

Production of this venerable workhorse continues to this day.

The aircraft is in service in no fewer than 60 countries and the RAF has operated a total of 85 in different forms since 1967.

The Hercules celebrated its silver anniversary in 1979 at the International Air Tattoo when it featured 28 Hercules from countries including Argentina, Israel, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.

For its 40th anniversary, RAF Lyneham arranged an impressive flypast.

A spokesman for the Air Tattoo said: "The Hercules is well liked by aircrew because it is a well-made aircraft that is good to fly and can cope with extreme operating conditions.

"During the past 50 years, the Hercules' roles have included search and rescue, famine relief, in-flight refuelling, firefighting, Arctic operations support, paratroop delivery and military support roles."

"It is often the first in and the last out of operational areas and still, after 50 years in service, there isn't anything close to rivalling its capabilities."

In February the 25-strong Hercules C-130J fleet at RAF Lyneham celebrated a landmark 50,000 flying hours the equivalent of five years in the air.

Anthony Osborme