These stunning photos by Swindon and Wiltshire Camera Club members capture the final flypast of the RAF Hercules.

Three of the aircraft have toured the UK to mark their retirement from service.

The trio of C-130s departed the RAF Brize Norton base at 10am on Wednesday and passed locations in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland, before returning at 5pm.

Crowds gathered in Royal Wootton Bassett High Street at around 4.30pm to watch the impressive and historic planes soar overhead on the way from Salisbury Plain and MOD Lyneham

Sunshine and clear skies provided the perfect weather for air travel and offered a stunning backdrop for photos of the aircraft’s distinctive silhouettes.

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

The transport plane, which has been used by the RAF since the 1960s, is being replaced by the Atlas A400 and other aircraft.

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 Hercules is described as the RAF’s primary tactical transport aircraft and its latest versions have been the backbone of UK operational tactical mobility tasks since it was brought into service in 1999.

It is frequently employed to operate into countries or regions where there is a threat to aircraft; its performance, tactics and defensive systems make it the ideal platform for such tasks.

The aircraft is highly flexible, with the ability to airdrop a variety of stores and paratroopers, and operate from natural surface landing zones.

To conduct these missions it is vital that Hercules crews are highly skilled in low-level flying.

The aircraft performs in the same roles at night using night-vision goggles (NVGs), while station keeping equipment (SKE) enables it to remain in formation during poor weather.

Long-range capabilities are enhanced with air-to-air refuelling, while the Air Survival Rescue Apparatus may be mounted in the cabin for search and rescue missions, enabling the Hercules to airdrop life rafts and emergency supplies.

A Royal Air Force spokesman said: “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 who will be relocated to similar roles around the RAF.”