A flypast to mark the forthcoming retirement of the Hercules from RAF service is due over the Harrogate District this afternoon (Wednesday).
Hercules flypast due over Harrogate district this afternoon A flypast to mark the forthcoming retirement of the Hercules from RAF service is due over the Harrogate District this afternoon (Wednesday). A flypast of the three aircrafts is planned for all four nations of the United Kingdom today, covering areas of significance to the Hercules’ service and 47 Squadron. It’s due over Topcliffe at 2:10pm and will likely be seen from Ripon around this time. The flypast will then head towards Beverley, East Yorkshire, for 2:23pm. Here is the full plan for the Hercules flypast: 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 [caption id="attachment_66839" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The planned Hercules flypast route.[/caption] Hercules The first Hercules arrived at Marshall’s of Cambridge in December 1966. Since entering RAF service, originally with 242 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Thorney Island, it has operated across the globe in support of UK military and humanitarian relief operations. The transition to the 22-strong Atlas (A400) fleet and other air mobility aircraft has been ongoing for some time. 47 Squadron and the Hercules will continue to deliver on operations supporting UK defence objectives until 30th June 2023. [caption id="attachment_66840" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The flypast will mark the forthcoming retirement of the Hercules from RAF service.[/caption] The expertise acquired operating the Hercules and its broad range of capabilities will be transitioned across to the other flying platforms in RAF service. This includes Ground support staff (Engineers, Air Operations and Intelligence professions) who will be relocated to similar roles around the RAF. Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.
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