RAF Cosford gets a Herculean gift

Museum workers faced a Herculean task to get RAF Cosford's latest aircraft exhibit into its new home. A team of 15 museum technicians and RAF personnel were called into action.

Their task was to get the Hercules C130K Mk3 into its new permanent display site just outside the main RAF museum buildings at RAF Cosford, near Albrighton.

The super-sized Christmas present had to be de-fuelled before it could be manoeuvred safely into position.

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The Hercules has been undergoing maintenance work since arriving at Cosford in August after its final flight from RAF Brize Norton.

RAF museum curator Al McLean said: "We are very pleased to have this iconic aircraft, particularly as it has such a long record of service with the Royal Air Force, and it makes a fine addition to the Cosford site."

The Hercules is one of the largest aircraft in the Cosford collection.

An American aircraft, it was built by Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia, and was acquired by the RAF in 1966 for work on long routes and for carrying paratroops.

The aircraft now at Cosford was one of 30 Hercules modified during the early 1980s to extend the fuselage by 15ft.

The Hercules is now on show daily at the RAF Cosford Museum , which will be open every day over the holidays except, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Admission to the museum is free. For more information call (01902) 376200 or visit www.rafmuseum.org

See also:

• Hero’s welcome for Wellington pilot Ron

• Comper Swift unveiled at RAF Museum Cosford

• RAF Cosford Museum exhibition reopens after revamp