Sqdn Ldr Ray Hanna AFC*
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Join Date: Nov 1998
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I worked for OFMC on an ad-hoc basis in the 80s (indeed, Flying Lawyer, I did a VOR mod to your Harvard).
Both Ray and Mark were great people to work with; Mark self-effacing and Ray quietly friendly with a (very) dry sense of humour.
Ray's death is a great loss not only to his family but to the warbird fraternity in particular and aviation in general.
Great shame.
Both Ray and Mark were great people to work with; Mark self-effacing and Ray quietly friendly with a (very) dry sense of humour.
Ray's death is a great loss not only to his family but to the warbird fraternity in particular and aviation in general.
Great shame.
OLD RED DAMASK
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A great loss.Used to listen with complete reverence when I saw him on T.V.
Watched in awe when I saw him display flying.
The ultimate pilot. RIP
Watched in awe when I saw him display flying.
The ultimate pilot. RIP
Join Date: Jul 2003
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What very sad news.
I had the great pleasure and honour to meet Ray and his son Mark at Duxford a few years ago, and 2 finer gentlemen you couldn't wish to meet.
My thoughts are with his family and his vast number of close friends. RIP Ray
TSM
I had the great pleasure and honour to meet Ray and his son Mark at Duxford a few years ago, and 2 finer gentlemen you couldn't wish to meet.
My thoughts are with his family and his vast number of close friends. RIP Ray
TSM
It was watching him in MH434 that inspired me to learn to fly . Everytime I saw him taxiing in a Spitfire, he always had a huge smile on his face. It is an irreplaceable loss.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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He has put out his hand...
...and finally touched the face of God.
To one man who often slipped the surly bonds in the most dramatic, exciting and peerless manner, you will be sadly missed.
God often appears selfish in taking the best pilots to join his squadron, but, in this case, you will surely be one of those to lead it. The Reds' sqadron motto of "Eclat" could not be used more suitably to describe your skills and professionalism.
Ray, a real pity that you didn't make it to 537's re-launch, but we will dedicate our launch-day flight to you. I know you'll be watching her take flight once more, and hope you're proud of seeing her fly again.
Say 'hi' to Jarvo and enjoy the sun-split clouds with your new laughter-silvered wings.
From all in the Red Arrows civvy community, RIP Ray, and thank you for all you did for aviation.
And, most of all, thank you for inspiring a three-year-old boy to earn his wings.
To one man who often slipped the surly bonds in the most dramatic, exciting and peerless manner, you will be sadly missed.
God often appears selfish in taking the best pilots to join his squadron, but, in this case, you will surely be one of those to lead it. The Reds' sqadron motto of "Eclat" could not be used more suitably to describe your skills and professionalism.
Ray, a real pity that you didn't make it to 537's re-launch, but we will dedicate our launch-day flight to you. I know you'll be watching her take flight once more, and hope you're proud of seeing her fly again.
Say 'hi' to Jarvo and enjoy the sun-split clouds with your new laughter-silvered wings.
From all in the Red Arrows civvy community, RIP Ray, and thank you for all you did for aviation.
And, most of all, thank you for inspiring a three-year-old boy to earn his wings.
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I flew with Ray, in the seventies, in Cx. One of only two people I have flown with in almost forty years who could be described as a natural pilot. Whether in the flight deck or on a night stop, when you picked up the roster and saw you were flying with him, you just knew you were going to have a good time.
A very special man.
A very special man.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Sad news indeed.
I never had the pleasure of meeting either Ray or Mark, but I did have a great deal pleasure watching their displays.
I think the first time I saw Ray display MH434 was when it was being auctioned by its previous owner. A few days before the auction Ray displayed it at Booker. At the time I was working in High Wycombe, and as our labs were just north of the airfield, I was trreated to a wonderful display .
Oddly I was showing the (in)famous video clip of Ray doing a low pass in the Spitfire just over the top of Alain deCadenet's head to some people at the flying club this morning.
The airshow circuit will be diminished by his passing
Brooklands
I never had the pleasure of meeting either Ray or Mark, but I did have a great deal pleasure watching their displays.
I think the first time I saw Ray display MH434 was when it was being auctioned by its previous owner. A few days before the auction Ray displayed it at Booker. At the time I was working in High Wycombe, and as our labs were just north of the airfield, I was trreated to a wonderful display .
Oddly I was showing the (in)famous video clip of Ray doing a low pass in the Spitfire just over the top of Alain deCadenet's head to some people at the flying club this morning.
The airshow circuit will be diminished by his passing
Brooklands
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This is a huge tragedy and a sad, sad loss to aviation, especially to the display community.
I knew both Ray and Mark and consider myself privileged to have done so.
My deepest sympathy to his family and to you Tudor - I know you were close.
My team at Deltajets have also asked me to pass on their condolences.
KMB01
I knew both Ray and Mark and consider myself privileged to have done so.
My deepest sympathy to his family and to you Tudor - I know you were close.
My team at Deltajets have also asked me to pass on their condolences.
KMB01
A good few years ago Ray took the time to sit a very inquisitive teenager in his "Spit" and explain everything. Two years later after a great of deal of saving and I became one of the few to fly on my own with a PPL.
I shall never forget that day. It's gentlemen like Ray that all of us should aspire to be like. Not just in our flying but also in our everyday lives. I'll be lifting up a pint tonight in memory of him.
He was friends with my parents when we lived in HKG while my Dad was with CX and I know they will be sadened by the news.
Kenny.
I shall never forget that day. It's gentlemen like Ray that all of us should aspire to be like. Not just in our flying but also in our everyday lives. I'll be lifting up a pint tonight in memory of him.
He was friends with my parents when we lived in HKG while my Dad was with CX and I know they will be sadened by the news.
Kenny.
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CM, pole pole,
Tried to call you too but the signal here is very bad.
I regret that I never had the chance to get to know Capt Hanna that well, as I was quite young when he retired to NZ, but his personality influenced many of our careers and I am sure many people will gather informally or otherwise to remember and celebrate the life of "Spitfire Ray".
I will think of his incredible displays often and of what skills he and Mark will be teaching angels.
JL
Tried to call you too but the signal here is very bad.
I regret that I never had the chance to get to know Capt Hanna that well, as I was quite young when he retired to NZ, but his personality influenced many of our careers and I am sure many people will gather informally or otherwise to remember and celebrate the life of "Spitfire Ray".
I will think of his incredible displays often and of what skills he and Mark will be teaching angels.
JL
Several words are linked in my memory of some of the best days in British aviation: Black Sheds, Raymond Baxter, Folland Gnat, Red Arrows and Ray Hannah. And the greatest of these is Ray Hannah. RIP
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I hope that, in due course, Ray's family will derive some small comfort from reading the tributes paid to their husband and father who was held in such high esteem in the aviation community, and was regarded by many as one of the finest pilots ever.
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That fabulous '"Oh My God" ( + expletives )' clip mentioned above by Brooklands, i.e. of Ray Hanna scaring the crap out of Alain de Cadenet, during a (very) low fly past in a Spitfire, can be seen here: Spitfire Low Fly Past <-- Nb. You can 'right click' on the link and select 'save target as'