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Old 2nd Dec 2005, 18:26
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Sven Sixtoo
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Retired to Bisley from the small African nation
Age: 68
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Angel Spectacular flying

In 1979(or maybe it was early 1980) I was at 1 FTS RAF Linton-on-Ouse when Mark Hanna graduated.

Ray turned up in a Spitfire and gave the most stunning demonstration of flying skills - a modern display safety team would have been aghast, though he maintained loads of speed to convert to height in the event of problems.

Images that will always be in my mind include a Spitfire arriving round the end of the hangar at near enough 90 AOB, slaloming though the dispersal floodlight pylons, and a low pass along the taxiway in front of the hangars. Somewhere I have a photo, taken from ground level, showing Ray in straight and level flight. The top surface of the wing is clearly visible.

The next day OC Ops called in the entire student population of 1 FTS for a warning in forceful terms not to try emulating Ray's display in a JP!

A life well lived, and a reputation that will stand for many years.

Sven
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