COLCHESTER residents had the chance to view a piece of military history, as a dedicated servant of airborne forces paid a farewell visit to Colchester’s paratroopers this afternoon.

Three RAF C-130 Hercules flew over Merville Barracks at 3pm, as part of a tour of the country paying homage to significant locations in the aircraft’s history.

Soldiers gathered on the parade square to pay their respects to the aircraft as it flew over, with a salute fired by three 105mm light guns from 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in the aircraft’s honour.

The nationwide tour comes after the news the Hercules will retire from the Royal Air Force at the end of the month.

Gazette: Historic - The fleet of Hercules flying over ColchesterHistoric - The fleet of Hercules flying over Colchester (Image: Royal Air Force)

Since entering service back in 1966, the transport aircraft has been the mainstay of the RAF’s air mobility fleet, used for parachuting, air despatch, and airlift missions.

Soldiers from the 16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team, of Colchester, have been frequent flyers in the Hercules planes, using them for exercises and operations around the globe, most recently during the evacuation of British civilians from Sudan in April and May of 2023.

Gazette: Soldiers from Merville Barracks conducting a gun saluteSoldiers from Merville Barracks conducting a gun salute (Image: Royal Air Force)

Despite its retirement the Hercules' legacy, forged over the past 56 years, is set to live on as its broad range of capabilities will transition across to the RAF’s 22-strong A400M Atlas fleet and other aircrafts.