Hercules captain is to be part of history

He looks back on his time flying the Hercules C130 Mk3 as the best years of his life.

Captain Pembrey, 62, left the service in 1987, and his old aircraft was the last of its kind when it was decommissioned in 2011.

Fat Albert, as the Hercules was know, became a permanent exhibit at RAF Cosford, and this week she was reunited with her old pilot when Captain Pembrey was invited to share his memories for a new documentary, commissioned by the museum, which will tell the story of the Hercules and its importance aviation history.

Captain Pembrey is one of 17 former members of aircrew set to be interviewed about their experiences on board.

The ex-pilot, who now lives in Crawley, West Sussex, sat back at the controls to be interviewed and spoke of his experiences during three tours.

He said: "I spent 18 years in the RAF. I spent nine wonderful years flying Hercules all over the world.

"I have many fond memories of flying this lovely old bird which we affectionately called Fat Albert. It was undoubtedly the best flying of my long aviation career."

Back in the cockpit, the married father of two said: "It is wonderful to be back. Sitting in this seat brings back so many memories.

"She was part of the transport fleet.

"The logistics and transport of any war are as important as the weapons.

"She was quite a reliable beast. There are so many memories and good times. We had a fabulous time in the squadron. I am very proud to have been part of that piece of history."

He chuckled as he recalled the other side of military life. He said: "The social life in the military was second to none."

Captain Pembrey started as a cadet in Cambridge before joining the RAF when he was 19.

After two-and-a-half years' training he gained his RAF wings and began a flying career that would span four decades, beginning in 1969.

He recalled: "I was captain on the C130 Hercules based at RAF Lyneham, flying many tactical and strategic missions world-wide, many involving Special Forces."

He was involved in the evacuation of British and foreign nationals from Cyprus to the UK in 1974 and resupplying British Forces during the Falklands War thirty years ago.

Mr Pembrey who spent over 40 years working in both military and commercial aviation, also worked as a pilot with Air Europe from 1987 to 1992, flying on Boeing 737.

He then worked as a Captain with Monarch Airlines for 13 years working at London Gatwick Airport.

He said: "I worked as a commercial flight captain for British Airways and Monarch ferrying what we used to call the 'bucket and spade brigade to various places'.

Mr Pembrey left commercial aviation in 2005 to return to the RAF as a Qualified Flying Instructor responsible for training of student pilots.

He also worked as a Flight Commander at the RAF College at Cranwell and trained cadets for Royal Air Force.

He said "I had come full circle from when I was training." Today, Mr Pembrey, a director of his own aviation consultancy business still works part time for the Oxford Aviation Academy, teaching student pilots at Gatwick Airport.

Now a grandfather to 15-month-old Charlotte, Mr Pembrey enjoys spending his time on the golf course and continues to travel, only now as a passenger.