In this book, the era of the RAF's classic piston propelled transports is captured for the first time in full color. With the passage of time these distinctive large aircraft have now become regarded as classics in the eyes of aviation enthusiasts and former aircrew. This book recreates something of the flavor of the post-Second World War years when aircraft such as the Handley Page Hastings (1947-68), Vickers Valetta (1948-69), Avro Andover (1965-75) and Lockheed Hercules (1966-date) bisected the globe flying along the famous Transport Command routes. These and the other tactical transport aircraft that served the RAF faithfully since the Second World War are today a virtually extinct species. A series of appendices give detailed specifications, production and unit allocations, squadron service dates and locations, and preserved examples.