CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF THE HERCULES: Squadron Leader Harry Burgoyne, 53, from Liden is one of the most experienced Hercules pilots in the RAF.

Currently senior captain with 70 Squadron at Lyneham flying the older K version of the plane, he has flown about 8,800 hours equivalent to just over a year in the air.

Over his 32-year career he has flown the Hercules in a variety of situations, including paratroop dropping, Special Forces operations, humanitarian relief and aerial refuelling.

Among his first missions was the evacuation of refugees from Cyprus after the Turkish invasion, conflicts in the Gulf, Kosovo and Bosnia.

He also captained the first long-range Hercules flight into the Falklands, returning governor Rex Hunt to Port Stanley.

"It's a great aircraft to fly, very responsive and extremely forgiving," he said.

"The Dakota was the aircraft of the 20th century, the Hercules will stay well into the 2000s.

"Within three months of flying on the squadron, I was in action saving refugees in Cyprus, which was hugely rewarding."