Hercules arrives at RAF Cosford

It has been a workhorse for the RAF, shipping soldiers and equipment to war zones across the world.

And today this Hercules aircraft was at its final home, as the latest exhibit at the museum at RAF Cosford.

The crew of seven from No 47 Squadron flew the plane into Cosford, where it will become an attraction for military enthusiasts visiting the base's museum.

Hundreds of people surrounded the airbase to watch the final flight of the Hercules C130K Mk 3.

It was flown from RAF Brize Norton, in Oxfordshire, bringing to an end 15 years of service.

The arrival of the Hercules marked the second new addition to the museum this year, following the flight in of a Dominie aircraft in February.

Today, Al McLean, curator of the museum, said: "We're excited to have it at the museum. It is the first and will be the only one we will be getting.

"Over the coming weeks it will be made safe before we bring it onto our site so we can all the public to get up close and personal with it."

The plane was delivered to the RAF in August 1967 and soon underwent a fuselage extension so it could be used on longer routes and for paratrooping.

In 1981, it was used by RAF Lyneham in the Transport Wing, Wiltshire, and in 1986 the plane was refitted with an in-flight refuelling probe above the cockpit. It went into storage with the Marshall of Cambridge engineering company and was more recently kept at RAF Brize Norton.

This particular plane has taken part in many air shows, including the Air Tatoo at RAF Fairford in 1994.

Among those watching the arrival of the Hercules was David Harris, a 52-year-old office workers from Wolverhampton.

Mr Harris, who lives in Birmingham New Road, said: "It is a wonderful aircraft and quite emotional to see its final flight. The museum at Cosford is fascinating and it is a real bonus to see the arrival of the Hercules."

The final two remaining Hercules aircraft are due to remain in full service until December 2012.