On June 14, the world-renowned RAF Hercules took to the skies one last time in a flypast across the UK.

For one man, it was a moment that brought back floods of happy memories during his time in the RAF as he stood with family surrounding The Stones Hotel to view it for one final time.

Bryan Wetherley, 90, was part of both the 47 and 48 squadrons during his time in the RAF during the mid to late 1900s. He joined the RAF in 1950, until 1974.

As he waited for the final flypast, Mr Wetherley showed the Journal his sentimental tie, which proudly displays his Squadron 48 badge. He explained what the badge meant to him and his fellow veterans.

Squadron 48 was one of the squadrons to fly the Hercules, but 47 was officially the last, and at the end of this month, 47 will disband. But for Mr Wetherley, squadron 48 has a special place in his heart.

READ MORE: Pictures of the RAF Hercules final flight over Boscombe Down

“I have to say it was the best squadron I had served in the RAF- and I liked 47 squadron, which was my very first in 1952.” Mr Wetherley explained, referencing his time in Squadron 48, with a hand held to his heart.

He added: “But 48 was a collection of people who just hit it off so well, and we undertook anything and everything.” 

Mr Wetherley was the deputy of the Squadron to his life-long friend, Alan Hotchkiss, in 1973-1974, who was also outside the hotel to await the flypast on Wednesday. 

SEE MORE: Huge fire destroys part of a commercial building in Tisbury near railway line

Mr Hotchkiss said: "One of our biggest achievements was flying the Hercules, and our crew, over the world - a global tour in 1974. It’s a bit cliche, but today and tomorrow really are the end of an era." 

They explained that Hercules was retiring as it was "growing long in the tooth" and that the RAF invested in A400s.

The flypast of the final three Hercules certainly sparked some emotions for the pair. Seconds before the flypast, Mr Wetherley said: "You never not miss it."

“Bravo, Bravo!” he waved, lifting his hat in admiration.

“Doesn’t it give you that fuzzy feeling, that sound?” Mr Hotchkiss said as the last ever sighting of the Hercules for Alan and Bryan concluded.