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Trio of RAF Hercules spotted over Dover in retirement flypast

Three giant RAF planes have performed a flypast over the UK to mark their retirement from service.

The trio of Hercules were seen passing over Dover at about 3.30pm.

The planes were spotted going over the docks in Dover. Picture: Anna-Marie Shearer
The planes were spotted going over the docks in Dover. Picture: Anna-Marie Shearer

Laura Shearer said she had been following the aircrafts on flight tracker before she saw them.

“I’m in the office, but I went outside specifically so I could watch them,” she said.

“I was tracking them on flight radar. They seemed very quiet though. Although, a ferry had just discharged so it was very loud in the port!”

David Adams also spotted the planes and said it is such a shame they were taking their final flight.

He said: “It's amazing to see all three Hercules flying together on their final flight. It's such a shame, it is the end of an era.”

The trio of aircrafts seen flying over the Port of Dover. Picture: Laura Shearer
The trio of aircrafts seen flying over the Port of Dover. Picture: Laura Shearer

The C-130s left RAF Brize Norton at 10am before passing over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. They are due to return to the Oxfordshire base just after 5pm.

The transport plane has been used by the RAF since the 1960s and will be replaced by the Atlas A400.

Dover Strait Shipping posted on Facebook about the aircrafts set to fly over Dover.

“Three Hercules aircraft will perform a final flight, before being retired from service,” the post read.

“If you are local, eyes to the skies at approximately 3.30pm when they should overfly White Cliffs Country, heading west.

The flypast map. Picture: RAF
The flypast map. Picture: RAF

The Hercules have supported UK military and humanitarian missions all over the world, including the recent evacuations from Sudan and Afghanistan.

Hercules and 47 Squadron will be stood down on June 30.

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