Sqdn Ldr Ray Hanna AFC*

[Flying Lawyer]

With deep sadness I report that my good friend Ray Hanna died suddenly yesterday afternoon.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/RayMH434.jpg


Ray, who was 77 years, joined the Royal Air Force in 1949 having learned to fly in his native New Zealand in 1947-48. Following training on the Prentice, Harvard and Meteor he was fortunate enough to fly such piston types as the Tempest V, Sea Fury, Balliol and Beaufighter. His first operational posting was to 79 Squadron, 2ATAF flying FR9 Meteors. In the fifties, he flew nearly all the early British jets including Vampires, Venoms, Attackers, Sea Hawks, Swifts and Javelins.

Ray first led a team of four Hunters in 1957, in 1963-64 was a member of the College of Air Warfare Meteor Team and, in 1965, was selected for the newly-formed Red Arrows as Red 3. He was appointed Leader the following year and remains the longest serving Leader in the history of the team.

His outstanding leadership is acknowledged as having made the Arrows the world-renowned aerobatics team they became and, in recognition, a Bar was added to the AFC he had previously been awarded for several feats of outstanding airmanship as a fighter pilot.

Ray retired from the RAF in 1971 for a new career in civil aviation, initially flying the Boeing 707 with Lloyd International Airways followed by seven years with Cathay Pacific, again flying the 707, and for two years the L-1011 Tri-Star.
In 1979 he was asked to head a private diplomatic 707 company with world-wide operations.

With his son Mark, who was so tragically killed flying an Me109 six years ago, he built up a vintage warbird collection at Duxford which ultimately became the renowned 'Old Flying Machine Company.' In addition to achieving acclaim on the display circuit, the OFMC has numerous movie credits.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/MH434bridge.jpg
The Master in action


Ray was undoubtedly one of the finest display pilots ever, and widely regarded as the best of the best.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/IMG_2702.jpg

Ray displaying his famous Mark IX Spitfire MH434 was a joy to behold, and a sight which will be sorely missed on the display circuit.

Most important of all, Ray was a fine man, a true gentleman. Not only did I have enormous admiration for his outstanding talent as a pilot and respect for him as a man, but I regard it as an honour to have been a friend.


Tudor Owen

[Max Tow]

We've lost a good man and a great aviator.
R.I.P.

[fokker]

I imagine it'll be some party when he meets up with Mark, Neil Williams, Hoof Proudfoot, Norman Lees, Bill Murton et al .


RIP

[Traffic]

Oh No!

On behalf of all at CX who knew Ray for the absolute gentleman and quintessential aviator he was...

Per Ardua ad Astra

[Sleeve Wing]

What a shock.

A fine, totally unassuming man who I first met in 1971 at RAF Bicester Mess.

Ray was doing his ATPL at Oxford having just left the Air Force and Bicester was the best B&B around at the time.

Helped me no end with the peculiarities of the civvie flying world and it's even more peculiar exam requirements.

He was also one of the best exponents of how to treat an expensive warbird.

We have lost our mentor.

Duxford will never be the same.

Fly on, Ray.

Sleeve.

[Jonty]

Very sad!
It was waching his displays that got me into flying in the first place.

[strake]

He inspired me to fly when he signed an autograph for me, a wide-eyed kid, at a Biggin Hill airshow in the mid-sixties. Years later, I was fortunate to spend a few days working with his late son Mark, also a gentleman.

An aviation great.

Fly-on Ray.....

[Cameratwo]

Terrible news,

on the Saturday of Flying Legends this year, Ray performed a particularly storming display in MH434, the rumours were that it was to be his last display at Legends.

Sadly this is now true. Airshows will never quite be the same again.

RIP Ray

[Saint-Ex]

A more charming and dedicated and outstanding pilot would be very hard to find. I deem it a great honour to have known him.

[Rallye Driver]

Sad news indeed. A truly great aviator.

RD

[treadigraph]

Really sad news - Biggin and Duxford will never be quite the same again.

He'll still be in a Spitifre somewhere...

[GeeRam]

Ex-Reds leader and legendary Spitfire/Warbird pilot.



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[African Tech Rep]

I’m not sure I have the words to say how respected he was amongst airshow attendees and aircraft enthusiasts.

There are few post war pilots who’s names automatically pop into ones head when talking aviation – his is one of them.
He truly won’t be forgotten.

RIP

[Peter Barron]

Very Sad News.

To my mind he was THE very best warbird display pilot in the world and there will never be any better, his displays were a joy to watch.

He will be sadly missed from the World of Aviation and there will be no other like him again.

Peter.

[puff m'call]

Stunned and shocked at the sad news!

I never even knew he was ill.

Surley an inspiration to all of us aviators alike, I am proud to have known Mark and met Ray many times.

You will be missed by both family and friends for a long time to come, the war bird community has lost a great flyer.

With sadness and tears. Puff.

[HotDog]

RIP Ray, never forget the pleasant times we flew together for seven years. I missed you when you left, I miss you more now. For sure we'll fly together again someday in the future.

[TD&H]

You may wish to look on History and Nostalgia for the posting by Flying Lawyer who is (was) a very good friend of Ray Hanna.






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[Coleman Myers]

Just heard the very sad news from some of the Zim guys, then read the Lawyers post.
Ray Hannah was truly inspirational and he will be sadly sadly missed.
Deepest sympathy to the family and his old crew, especially our special Kenyan Patsy.

[Globalwarning]

He was one of the finest Aviators of the last 50 years. He flew the 707 ZL or Spitfire MH434 with the same style and finess.

Please advise of any UK memorial service.

[RampTramp]

Sad news indeed & a loss to aviation. R.I.P Ray

[Coleman Myers]

Jamie, tried to ring before airborne. If you read this forum please pass to us info of anything planned informal or otherwise. Txs

[Human Factor]

I was never fortunate enough to meet him but to me he summed up all that was special about aviation.

A legend.

[Bus429]

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.

[lasernigel]

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

[The Swinging Monkey]

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

[kms901]

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.

[XR537]

...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.

[Navaleye]

Very sad to hear of Ray's passing and my condolances to his family and friends. A great aviator indeed.

[Navaleye]

So long Ray, you will not be forgotten.







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[thedeadseawasonlysick]

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.

[LuckyBreak]

If you look ath the Reds' website under 'news' there are some good shots of Ray in his Red days.

RIP

[Brooklands]

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

[kemblejet01]

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

[Kenny]

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.

[AirportsEd]

Very, very sad news....A true Gent...

[JAIME LANDON]

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

[effortless]

I am deeply saddened but a good life well lived I believe.

[pulse1]

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

[Heliport]

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.

[CrashDive]

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 (http://alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/ohmygodSpitfire%20pass.wmv) <-- Nb. You can 'right click' on the link and select 'save target as'

[Fart Master]

Never met the great man, but saw many of his aerial tricks. As an aviator myself it is a great loss to the community.

[captplaystation]

Oh for the good old (slightly politically incorrect days). He must have breached a few European laws there, but wasn't that just Absolutely Bloody Fabulous?
Thanks so much for taking me back to that lovely time when we were allowed to laugh/swear/ frighten ourself, without dressing it up as a corporate event.

[zarniwoop]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray a couple of times, albeit very briefly. He always struck me as being a perfect gentleman, his superb skill and ability never went to his head.

His flying displays, whether solo or as part of a team, were always the most beutiful works of art, showing the aircraft to its best without being flashy, with the crowd (and commentators) in a rapt silence, a tingle of excitement running up my spine.

RIP Ray, my condolences to the family.

Z

[Jobza Guddun]

Goodbye Ray, and thank you for my lifelong interest in aviation....

(Tollerton Air Display 1973 in a Spitfire, my parents tell me)

[Avalon]

Thanks for all the stunning memories Ray.......
(Keeping good company now with so many - like your son Mark and his great friend John Watts et al)
RIP

[Sven Sixtoo]

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

[Genghis the Engineer]

I sadly can't claim to have known Ray Hanna well, but I'd met him a few times and seen him fly. He always came across to me as a really pleasant fellow, and an incredibly capable aviator. He's left us too soon - my deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

G

[FLCH]

I remember seeing him lead the Reds when I was a kid several times. Smoke On Ray!

[oulton35]

This news has really shocked me. I never had the honour of knowing Ray Hanna. I am not a pilot or aviation proffesional. I am but an aviation enthusiast who enjoyed his talents. Whenever I was told that Ray was displaying at an event, my ears would perk up knowing that a master of his trade would be showing off his skills. The display circuit has lost one of it's grand masters.

My deepest condolences to all of his family, friends and colleagues.

[G-LOST]

A terrible loss to aviation. Enthusiast professionals like Ray are what flying is all about and we need more of them to prevent aviation becoming the dominion of dullards, robots and bean counters.

[ID90]

Can't claim to have 'known' either Ray or Mark Hanna, I just met them on the odd occasion. However, I will always remember talking to Mark about the formation of a kind of OFMC 'supporters club' at a Duxford Airshow sometime around the summer of 1996. During our conversation Ray was displaying '434' - he flew down the crowd line before pulling up into an impressive steep climbing turn. Both Mark and I paused to watch man and machine in all their glory, then Mark turned to me again and -with obvious pride and a huge grin on his face- said, "He's not bad for nearly 70 is he!"
Both sadly missed....RIP

[Tartan Giant]

I can only add my humble sincere condolences to all his family, close friends, and all else who loved him.

Those left behind will miss him very badly.

RIP Ray

TG

[GOATRIDER]

R.I.P Ray---you thrilled many an onlooker at Warbirds Over Wanaka---thankyou so very much. Condolences to the Hanna family

[jumpseater]

I too watched quite a few awe inspiring displays by Ray Hanna over the years, many thanks for the opportunity to see the Spitfire flown with such skill and dexterity. RIP.

[AerocatS2A]

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray and Mark several times when I was living in Wanaka, New Zealand.

I specifically remember one time, standing with Mark at the taxiway/runway intersection as Ray took-off in Tim Wallis' Mk XVI Spitfire, FUP.

Ray had a particular technique when getting airborne in the Spitfire, he'd stay very low, get the gear up and then sort of drop down a bit lower till he got to the threshold, then he'd climb out. What made it most interesting to watch was that, as the gear was coming up, the Spitfire would be wobbling around a bit with the wingtips dipping down to a few feet of the ground, and the nose pitching about. Presumably it was all to do with having to change hands on the stick to get at the gear lever.

Anyway, we're watching him take-off and he does his usual thing, looking like he's going to clip a wing any moment. I look over at Mark, who's grinning madly and shaking his head, he says "Jesus I hate the way he does that." It was quite obvious that he didn't hate it at all and was as enthralled as I was.

I am saddened by the loss but also happy that Ray, despite the many hours spent engaging in a fairly high risk activity, made it into his late seventies and was taken by natural causes rather than some misadventure in a warbird.

R.I.P.

[Aynayda Pizaqvick]

As a fellow kiwi I mourn the loss of this extraodinary man. I only had the pleasure of meeting him and his late son for a relatively brief moment, but they were both as friendly and down-to-earth as anyone could wish for!
From an aviation point of view I had the pleasure of watching his displays in Wanaka and the UK and you could not see a more professional display of warbird flying, which I am sure will be endorsed by those that were lucky enough to work more closely with him!
RIP Ray. You have done NZ proud.

[Samuel]

I've not missed any Wanaka Air Show, and to watch Ray Hanna at any time was one of the reasons. No matter how many times you saw it, the disappearing trick along the riverbed never ceased to astound even those who knew about it. A true master of his craft who will be sadly missed.

Wanaka will never be the same.

[dmanton300]

Ray and Mark are flying a Merlin formation as we speak. Heaven never sounded so heavenly.
RIP.

[Conan the Librarian]

I was very lucky and met Ray and the Reds after a practice display at Shawbury in 1969. I had just come out of hospital at the time and at about ten years old. I needed serious cheering up. It was an experience that lives with me to this day and the hope that you promised Ray, I will never forget..

Thank you. It worked. RIP.

Conan

[Pancake]

He inspired many of us. RIP Ray, you were a great aviator...

P.

[Tim Mills]

Cheers, Ray. Proud to have known you.

Tim

[HectorusRex]

A truly great aviator and a very sad loss to all his friends and fellow aviators.

Farewell Ray; Fly high and fly swift and true.

[acbus1]

If you gave me the choice of seeing only one pilot displaying one aeroplane, I'd say, without any hesitation, "Ray Hanna in a Spitfire!".

I still vividly remember an impromptu Spit display some years ago. He followed the curve of the taxiway, very low, banked to avoid the floodlight posts on the outer edge! If I'd stood a few feet closer, his lower wing tip would have removed my legs at the knees! I've never been that close to anything going that fast, that low! The entire display was flown with immaculate super-smooth precision!

RIP, Ray Hanna.

[BRL]

It is with great saddness that I read about the passing away of a fine aviator, Ray Hanna AFC.


RIP Ray




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[BRL]

RIP Ray.

Thanks for so many great memories.

Condolences to the family.

[LowNSlow]

Like so many others I only knew Ray Hanna from seeing him display at the airshows in the UK and what displays they were. A lucky man to have been doing what he loved for so long. RIP Ray you will be missed by many.

[fradu]

One of the the best warbird pilots, if not the best.

I remember Ray displaying the P-40 Kittyhawk at the 50th Hunter WB188 air-speed record anniversary at Tangmere back in 2003.
In front of Neville Duke, he put on a fantastic display, which concluded with a *low* and fast 'top-side' fly-through.

RIP Ray.

[G-KEST]

I am so sad that we will never see his mastery of display flying in the Spitfire again. The duo with Ray leading Cliff Spink at the last Duxford show as part of the Spitfire finale was superb and it was magnificent to watch the master at work. Another classic memory of a wonderful career that gave so much pleasure to so many.
Thanks for all the good times over the last four decades.
Deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Sincerely,
Trapper 69

[JAIME LANDON]

I just got this from a regular passenger with Capt. Hanna:

'I was deeply saddened on hearing of Ray's passing. The various trips under Ray's command were an absolute pleasure. Nothing was ever too much trouble for Ray Hanna and his crew, who appeared to subscribe to the same school of charm, kindness and efficiency.

Arriving at the steps of the aircraft one was inevitably greeted by the Captain, every part the quintessential airline pilot. Ray's personality impacted all those around him and inspired more than one to follow his career path. I never got to see Ray as a display pilot, but I am told that his shows at Duxford and around the world were beyond spectacular in description and that the same style and elegance he applied to running his airline, were mirrored in his "art".

Although not an aviation person myself, I am sure Ray Hanna will be remembered as one of the greatest pilots since the war and as a true inspiration to all in the business.My thoughts are with his family, his crew and all who knew and loved him'

[Aerostar6]

Difficult to believe Ray has gone. One of a handful of pilots who could be identified simply by the way he flew an aeroplane. As has been already said, how can Duxford be the same again?

I consider it a privilege to have occasionally shared the same airspace.

Blue skies, Ray..................................

["aux vaches"]

Went to school with Mark who once "arranged" for his "Dad" to demo a spitfire to interested school mates at Bassingbourn in the 70's

assembled throng waiting in cold for something to happen and then.....

a spitfire appeared on knife edge at phenomenal speed with the lower wing tip at head height (schoolboy heads) - absolutely nobody could breathe for the rest of an awesome experience and I've been flying ever since

I can still remember every second of that demo and only had to hear Ray Hanna's name once to remember it.


RIP

"aux vaches"

[Quidditch Captain]

I have never forgotten the truly outstanding display Ray gave at Chailey in 2004.

The best I've ever seen anywhere, from anybody.

Thanks for the inspiration Ray. RIP.

[ozplane]

I'm lucky enough to work part-time at Duxford and consequently see some pretty good flying, almost to the extent of becoming blase. However Ray, and Mark before him, were the two pilots who could empty the offices at Duxford in double-quick time, especially when they were returning from a display. It's difficult to pinpoint the differences between their style and other pilots but they seemed to me to fly like FIGHTER pilots rather than DISPLAY pilots. A sort of controlled aggression combined with finesse which probably came from their RAF fighter background.
The fact that they had that easy manner with the aviation public will make them a hard act to follow. At least they'll be together in their celestial cockpits. Thanks chaps.

[Been Accounting]

I can echo the memories of "aux vaches" as I was in the year below Mark.

I remember once hearing a very special engine noise then rushing out to see a Spit in the sky over the school. Just magical!

A few years later on a wet afternoon (during CCF) Mark was showing us 8mm cine film of Ray flying with the Reds. Mark kept trying to freeze the frame so we could see how low his Dad was flying. Each time we only got a glimpse before the film burnt through!

Both knights in the sky!

.. and missed

[trevelyan]

A sad day.

The finest Spitfire display pilot of them all. Like his son, he was a total gentleman, and an incredibly gifted aviator.

He will be missed terribly by all who loved Warbird flying, MH434 will live on, but it wont be the same without the great man driving.

RIP Ray - the memories of watching your magical skill will stay with me forever.

:sad:

[1.3VStall]

I've just turned on my PC for the first time in three days, What a shock and what sad news.

I never met him personally, but the World is surely a poorer place for his passing.

RIP

[Gazsc]

To my Godson I am a hero through being a pilot. You remain an inspiration to me through having been a true aviator.
We are both less through your absence.
I thank God he saw you fly.

[John Farley]

The world has seen some truly remarkable aviators in the past but none better than Ray - on the ground or in the air

After all how many men are good enough to be at the peak of a young man’s business at 77?

While his family must be stunned right now, I suspect that in time they will be grateful that if they had to lose him it was quick. The idea of a man like Ray spending his last years on a commode watching TV would have been too awful for words.

[Artificial Horizon]

Very sad news indeed for all involved in Aviation, truley an inspiration pair Ray and Mark made. Remember watching the both of them displaying at Warbirds over Wanaka in New Zealand where Ray re-inacted the famous scene from Empire of The Sun by flying low and slow in a P-51 mustang and as passing the crowd he slid back the canopy and gave us all a hearty wave, BRILLIANT.
Thanks for the inspiration that has led me into a life of flying!!!

RIP



See picture posted below.
PPRuNe

[Gordo]

A sad loss of a truly great aviator.

My thoughts and condolences to family friends and collegues.


AH, thank you very much for reminding me of a moment in film history which still brings a brings a tear to my eye.( and the pic).

I was taught to fly by a distant cousin of his back in NZ who sadly also had his wings forever folded some years ago.

[lsh]

Ray Hanna;

Blasting over the crowd from behind in his Gnat in the 70's.
Flying up the dispersal at Gutersloh in a spitfire during the 80's.
Simply landing at Goodwood in the P40 a couple of years back.

Thank-you,
Ad Astra!

PS; The dream spitfire display team; Hanna / Henshaw!

[LOMCEVAK]

One of the great privileges of my life was to have known Ray as a friend and a fellow pilot. He would always greet me warmly with the question "How is your family?" Only then might we talk about flying. I have a few very vivid and special memories of some trips that I have flown over years; very many of these were in formation with Ray (and indeed with Mark and sometimes both of them). He was the most polished formation leader on whose wing I have had the privilege to fly. To combine that skill simultaneously with always providing a stunning spectacle for an airshow crowd is a very rare ability. Ray's style of low flying was unique and was one of the most talked about facets of display flying over the last few decades. It will still be talked about for many decades to come, although sadly we will not see it again other than in the many wonderful film and video clips which are his legacy to us all.

For me, Ray had always been there throughout my time display flying and was, when I was growing up, a household name as leader of the Red Arrows. He will be sorely missed both as a pilot and as a wonderful person.

Deepest condolences to the Hanna family and to the Old Flying Machine Company from all of us.

With great sadness

DS

[Flying Lawyer]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/RayyoungRed.jpg

Ray Hanna

28 August 1928 - 1 December 2005




http://www.airsceneuk.org.uk/hangar/2004/reds40/historic/1965team.jpg
Inaugural Red Arrows team 1965 (7 ship)
Red 1 - Flt Lt L Jones; Red 2 - Flt Lt B A Nice; Red 3 - Flt Lt R G Hanna; Red 4 - Flt Lt G L Ranscombe; Red 5 - Fg Off P G Hay; Red 6 - Flt Lt R E W Loverseed; Red 7 - Flt Lt H J D Prince; Red 8 - Flt Lt E C F Tilsley



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/1966teamRed1.jpg
Red 1 in his second year.
(Still a 7-ship formation in 1966)
Back: Flt Lt D R H McGregor (Red 9), Flt Lt H J D Prince (Red 6), Sqn Ldr R Storer (Manager), Sqn Ldr T G Nelson (Red 7), Flt Lt F J Hoare (Red 8)
Front row: Flt Lt P R Evans (Red 4), Flt Lt D A Bell (Red 2), Sqn Ldr R G Hanna (Red Leader), Flt Lt W A Langworthy (Red 3), Flt Lt R Booth (Red 5)



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/1968Arrowslow.jpg
1967-68 The Arrows down low - while soaring higher and higher in world acclaim
(How the rules have changed since the good old days!)





http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/1969team1-1.jpg
1969 - 5th and final year with the Arrows and 4th as Leader - a record never broken
(L-R) Flt Lt J D Rust (8), Flt Lt R B Duckett (4), Flt Lt P R Evans (2), Sqn Ldr R G Hanna (1), Flt Lt D A Smith (3), Flt Lt I C H Dick (7), Flt Lt E R Perreaux (5), Sqn Ldr R P Dunn (9)
Under Ray's leadership, the Team flew for the first time as a nine-ship and received worldwide acclaim for their dynamic precision formation flying.
In recognition, a bar was added to the AFC Ray had previously been awarded for feats of airmanship as a fighter pilot.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Raytrack-1.jpg
(Almost) on the track




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/BHcrowdfavourite.jpg
The Biggin Hill crowd favourite



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Totalconcentration.jpg
As always, total concentration before a display .....




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Timeforchat.jpg
..... but always time for a chat afterwards



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Raychild.jpg
..... and always time to encourage future generations of pilots




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/RayMarkPS1.jpg
Father and son - mutual (and entirely justified) respect and pride




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/RayBreitlings.jpg
Leading the Breitling Fighter Team



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/ArrowsMH434ps.jpg
Leading the Arrows again




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/NeveragainP40.jpg
A view I was privileged to see many times over the years but, sadly, never will again




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/FarewellRay.jpg

Farewell Ray.







Many of these pictures belong to others.
If any copyright owner objects, contact me and I'll remove your picture.

[Fokkerwokker]

A wonderful tribute Tudor.
Lomcevak’s words also say it all.

I owe the realisation of my dreams to Ray, and Mark and the OFMC. It was a privilege indeed to sit on his wingtip. Courteous and generous to a fault, with all his friends and employees, I still cannot take on board that he has signed his last Auth Sheet.

Duxford has become an emptier place with his passing however, he would not wish that we grieve too long – such was the man. His words of encouragement and advice will ring in my ears for evermore and I will always picture the craggy grin under his twinkling eyes. We must remember he would want us to get on with the task in hand and do just that – we owe it to him.

My sincere and heartfelt sympathies to his family.

Thank you Ray for everything.

Al

[reynoldsno1]

A very sad day - I was priveleged to meet both Ray & Mark some years ago at Whenuapai - consummate professionals both. Thank you for the memories ....

[PPRuNe Pop]

What a shock! It is as though he was almost considered immortal and would be around forever.

I knew Ray on an aquaintance basis but he always remembered me and we always had a chat. I also knew Mark with whom I flew in formation - a treat I would have enjoyed with Ray - given the opportunity.

His like may never pass in the sky above again but his memory will live on and on.

RIP Ray you will always be remembered.

[SmilingKnifed]

RIP, I think any kid that has ever wanted to be a fighter pilot knows Ray Hanna.

In light of his services to aviation and his native New Zealand, would it not be a bloody good show if someone can think up a decent, lasting legacy with his name attached to it?

[Cosmic Wind]

End of an era for 'real flying', the likes of which we will never see again. Such a inspiration to me and so many to fly with your heart and spirit.

Blue skies forever.

Thoughts with the Hanna family and all those who have lost a friend.

[Flying_Anorak]

Like many others I was deeply saddened to hear the news about Ray and can add nothing more to what has already been said.

Ray, you were an inspiration to us all and I consider myself extremely fortunate to have witnessed such genius in the air.

Duxford & Biggin won't be the same without you and I hope your passing will be marked in the appropriate way next year.

Is it now perhaps the time to suggest a permanent memorial to Ray and all the other fine display pilots now sadly no longer with us at Duxford?

RIP.

[Clarie]

Ray will be missed - he was a one-off.

I first met him at Linton-on-Ouse following the graduation of his son Mark. I was a course behind Mark (he was on 38 course from memory) and we were part of the graduation parade which was held on the ramp in front of the hangars. After the display described elsewhere by Sven, Ray taxied the Spit onto the ramp, shut down and climbed out, pulling on the jacket to his three piece suit he was wearing - why wear a flying suit when you can fly in style?!

Sven left out one small detail - during the pass between the parade area and the taxiway, his prop was whipping up the cuttings from the freshly mown grass. Ray was a legend and I was very priviledged to meet him at the graduation party.

[diginagain]

A life, lived to the full. An inspirational figure, whose skill impinged upon so many. God speed, Ray.

[Brian Abraham]

Tis a sad day with the passing of these two GREAT, GREAT Hanna aviators and gentlemen.




Threads merged - link deleted

[Off-Black]

I heard the sad news of Rays Hanna's passing while driving to work this morning. My sympathies to his family, friends, and fellow admirers everywhere.

The first time I saw his flying was at Wanaka in 1992. For those who don't know the place, in addition to the deep gully off the end of the runway there, there is a low set of hills behind the crowdline, just outside the airfield boundary. Mark Hanna was airborne in the Me-109J, and the display was to be one of the dogfight set pieces that the Hanna's did so well. Ray had taken off earlier and disappeared. Mark was tooling around being the baddie while we waited for the Spitfire to come in and save the day. However it was no-where to be seen or heard. Suddenly I heard the growl of a merlin, and turned just in time to see Ray blasting over the ridge of those low hills, clearing them by not very much, and the fight was on. I can still see the shadow racing downslope underneath the aircraft. It was the best entry to a display I have ever seen. Inspirational, and my favourite airshow memory. I still privately refer to the location as 'Spitfire hill'. At the end of the day after the show had officially closed, Ray took the Spitfire up again, displaying in the late afternoon sun as the crowd dispersed.
Every display of his I saw, be it in the Spitfire, P-40 or P-51 had the touch of class. The last time I saw him fly was in a P-40 at Masterton in January this year, and he was still untouchable.

So long Sir, and thanks for the memories.

[Big Tudor]

Of all the flying displays I have ever seen, the ones that stick out are those involving Ray Hanna and the Spitfire. Man and Machine in perfect harmony. We will never see their like again.

RIP

[derekl]

Daily Telegraph obituary of Ray Hanna.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/news/2005/12/05/db0501.xml

[Heliport]

The most outstanding display pilot of his generation, and probably of any generation. Ray Hanna was respected by other pilots and admired by millions of aviation enthusiasts all over the world.
He will be missed for many years to come. Thanks to television and film footage, his extraordinary talent and contribution to aviation will never be forgotten.


The resolution isn't great but, to me, this picture captures what the airshow crowds (and I suspect he) loved best .....


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Themaster_BH.jpg
Fast and low at Biggin Hill

[Flying Lawyer]

I've received many messages enquiring about funeral arrangements. Please excuse me for not replying to each personally.


Subject to confirmation of date:


Ray Hanna will be buried at Parham Church, Suffolk at noon on Thursday 15th December.

Please note that the funeral is for family and close friends.

The family have found the messages of condolence and the tributes a comfort at this very sad time, and realise many people would like to pay their respects to Ray. A Memorial Service will be held in London early in the Spring.

[beamer]

Clairie

I too was at that graduation display - in between sorties on the JP5 probably - I seem to remember that at met brief the next morning the CI stood up and said RH would never be invited back again and if any student ever thought about that manoevre between the floodlight stanchions and the flight line...............

nb I was on 36 so Mark must have been somewhere around 33-35 cse ----
Blimey - 26 years ago !!!!!!!!!

[Alvin Steele]

Ray Hanna was the airshow display pilot of all time for me.
Glad I savoured his last two Biggin Hill displays in MH434, Ray displayed a Spitfire better than anyone I've ever seen.
Ray Hanna was a true inspiration.
R.I.P.


Tim

[UL730]

His flight under Winston Bridge was truly mesmeric.

Not flamboyant – quietly calculated and superbly handled.

His life thread was inspirational – I have talked to my sons at Duxford when he displayed and recalled that event.

They would say - “Dad – is that him. Is that the man”

His presence lives on very personally in our family.

He must have touched and enthused the lives of many he never met.

[High'n Fast]

" Smoke on Go! Smoke off go! The blue is bad again. Sorry Boss but they have got it right where your going "

Always

Ginger Bell

[old-timer]

September 3rd 1989, EGMC, 17:30 Local time;

I had just completed my GFT & was on base leg for 06 when I heard those magic words spoken by that magic voice - "Spitfire for run & break" - anxious not to spoil the show I offered to clear the approach but I was cleared to land as No 1.
I continued and just after turning off the active I heard and saw the most amazing sight that has never been bettered for me -
it was Ray I'm sure in MH434 at approx' 50 feet above on his run & break - excellent !!!
I have taken it as a personal inspiration ever since !!

Ray, I salute you, you are an Aviation legend now and for ever more.
I met you once and you were everything that I previously had perceived:- polite, knowledgeable and above all else fun. Wonderful, irreplaceable, intelligent, caring and very approachable all spring to mind but words alone cannot convey the whole person.

That such a life was possible and lived to the full is an inspiration to us all !!

Mark was exactly the same ilk in my experience and an honour to be associated with.

God speed Ray and Mark - Heaven will have to re-write the op's manual now that you're together again.
Take care - you'll never ever be forgotten.

[Few Cloudy]

Log book open - Aircraft Type and Mark...Gnat XR993 Capt... FL Hoare...Copilot, 2nd Pilot Pupil or crew...Self (pax)...Duty...Red Arrows...Day Flying Dual...16minutes...

What a trip! What a memory! This was at RAF Marham and Red Leader was flying as low as ever - I had to remind myself that five aircraft were below us (as #3) so close were the trees on the right...

Judgement and skill par excellence. There was more though - this man enjoyed his flying. He must have lived a contented life. Hats Off.

FC.

[BOAC]

FC - you may not be aware that Frank Hoare also sadly died a few years ago.

[PPRuNe Pop]

I fully endorse Heliport's suggestion that those with some good pictures of Ray - OR Mark - might care to place them on this thread. The plan is to move the R&N thread to join this one when all the tributes have been paid and the more pictures there are the better the thread will be.

I then plan to open the thread each year on December 1st for all to see and to remember.

But I would ask that they should be pictures without copyright or website url's. I think you would agree that in this case it would be inappropriate.

Thanks.


PPP

[TD&H]

To get an AFC and Bar is very good going. Is there anyway of seeing the citations for them.

FL do you have them available to post?

[Wombat35]

As a new member to the Warbird scene I had not met Ray however had seen him fly. Learning of his history I wish now that I had gone up and shaken his hand.

Having watched again the Warbirds over Wanaka DVD, Ray seemed to be the essence of a pilot "Cool Calm and always Calculating"

I loved the expression on his face when he lead the Fighters under the Helicopter wash, calmly looking left, nope wasn't II, looking right, not III, always with a wry smile.... :cool:

I'll turn an extra blade on Sunday in the Dak and I'm sure that you'll be remembered as a legend!

[PFR]

I just wanted to post my respect for a Master.
Man and Machine in perfect harmony...............

Thank you and Mark.

[choxon]

I first met Ray in Singapore on a night stop in the late 70s.

Once known never forgotten.

What a guy! what a gentleman! what a pilot!

He was never too busy to pass the time of day whenever we met over the years and what an honour to have actually known him.

RIP Ray, I'll buy you a beer when and if I am lucky enough to meet up with you again.

[RaTa]

I was not privileged to know Ray Hanna, but I think that the amount of tributes says it all about the man................RIP.

[atb1943]

I'd like to add my humble tribute to Ray.

I've been privileged to fly to Duxford on a number of occasions in various aircraft, including JPs and a Strikemaster. It was after a typically exhiliarating run and break in the latter that I got to talk to Ray and Mark at length, because my pilot had business with them. It was great to have a coffee with them in the Legend's office and just chat, although they were both as busy as usual. Ray even washed me a mug clean . I started to tell Ray what I was involved in, and he said simply, with a twinkle in his eye, 'I know who you are, I'm one of your biggest customers!' Then he told me about his involvement in the Lowa Ltd B707, which, of course, had a worldwide set of charts on board. His memory was sharp, because I had been introduced to him only briefly at a Legends show a year or more before. I was really chuffed. Since then I've bumped into Ray twice, both at Biggin Hill, in 2001 when I flew over in JU-52, and this year as one of the sponsors of the pilots' marquee.

Ray effused a quiet professionalism on the ground, but in the air - wow! What was it about his particular presentation - quick, aggressive, absolutely beautiful!

I will never ever forget his performance at Duxford against a raincloud-filled sky when he celebrated MH434's 60th birthday. Ray just seemed to enjoy giving us enjoyment and knew what to add to his display to make you absolutely gobsmacked.

Ray's final fling at Biggin on that Sunday evening in his beloved Spitfire to the wonderful text presented in such a fine manner by the guest American commentator, was beyond belief. Ray suddenly disappeared into the valley, only to pop up over the trees and shoot into the sky, the Spitfire sillhouetted against a lovely September sky. I looked around, there was not a dry eye to be seen, no embarrassement either, was it not a just reason to show emotion!

Thank you Ray, thank you all. To Ray's family and friends, my deepest condolences at your sad loss.

I took a photo of Ray taking in Simon Ames' briefing. I thought you'd like to see it.

Best wishes,

atb


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Briefing_atb.jpg

[WillemBraat]

I met Ray for the first time in 2002, when he, Nigel, Lee, Keith and Alistair flew in the Breitling Fighters to EHSE. This was some weekend!

My son Rick (11 years old at that time), already (genetically, I suppose) interested in aircraft, was introduced by Ray to the P40 (the photo is in this thread) and all the other Breitling Fighter aircraft, despite his busy schedule. After this weekend, Rick never stopped talking about flying himself, the Breitling Fighters and Ray Hanna.

This year, he fullfilled his dream and started flying gliders on EHWO in February, progressing to his solo on September 18th.
Ray, I thank you for the time you spent with Rick!

I met Ray several times after that weekend, and he always recognised and greeted us with his warmth. The last two times this year, on Duxford during the Flying Legends and on EHGG (Groningen, Netherlands) during the airshow, he was, as always, full of life.

I will remember Ray fondly, his piloting skills, wit and humour. Above all, his personality struck me as being modest, approachable and full of interest in other people.

Blue skies Ray, fly on forever....

Willem Braat

[Arkroyal]

I never had the privilege of knowing Ray either, but feel his loss as sharply as the loss of my other aviation friends and colleagues.

Tudor's picture of Father and Son brought a tear to my eye.

Next time I'm hamfistedly falling about the sky in our Chipmunk, I'll be looking up for inspiration, Ray.


Alain will miss you too!

http://uk.geocities.com/[email protected]/deCadenetvHanna.jpg

[AerocatS2A]

Alain will miss you too!

That's only fair, given that Ray missed him! :)

I don't think I will ever tire of watching that video.

[Redsix]

Ray Hanna

From RAF Benson in the late fifties, and the long journey to India, through the Vintage years, you were the example and the inspiration. Bon voyage, horse.

[CJS]

Heard today about the sad news of Rays death. A LEGEND.

I was lucky enough to meet Ray (and Mark) during the 1999 Display season and two more modest and professional aviators one could never meet.

Ray's flying was inspirational. How many kids have seen Ray and his Spitfire, and been compelled to follow a career in aviation.

He will be a very sad loss to the world of aviation and especially display flying. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. I'm sure Mark and Ray are now sat around, catching up on old times and having a right good laugh.

To the Master.

RIP.

[FatBaldChief]

I had the honour of meeting this great man during my tour on the Reds. He was one of the nicest, modest and most approachable men I have ever met. I will remember his banter, wit and goodwill as long as I live. Thanks Ray and may God be with you.

[ATRIXO]

So very sorry to have read this in the Telegraph. He was a 'hero',which these days is a remarkable achievment. Three generations of my family,(as with many others ), were lucky enough to have worked with or met Ray.

[Ned-Air2Air]

Ray was a great guy, did a number of photo shoots with him and his son, the late Mark. He was planning on returning to NZ later this year and had already shipped some of the aircraft back.

His loss is a sad one and a major blow to the warbird industry worldwide. He and Mark did so much for it.

He will be sorely missed and no doubt when we end up at the pearly gates some time in the future we better keep our head down, because no doubt Ray will be there in his P-40 making us wish we had :) :)

Rest in Peace Ray and say hi to Mark when you get to the other side. :( :(

Neville

[Anne Tenner]

Watching a solo display by Ray Hanna in his Spitfire closing the Biggin Hill airshow on a Sunday night was an unforgettable experience. I think it became a tradition.

Smooth flowing manoeuvres beautifully executed as the sun went down brought tears to many eyes and always got applause from fellow pilots as well as the crowd.


http://www.spinnerettewebs.com/ray1.jpg





(The picture isn’t mine but I hope the photographer won’t be bothered about copyright or want a credit in these circumstances.)

[*Zwitter*]

From 'that' Biggin Hill Sunday display...

Ray was the best I ever saw - and this day was the best I ever saw him.

thanks Ray

http://antonyl.brinkster.net/paul/MH434_2_SML.jpg

http://antonyl.brinkster.net/paul/mh434_lnd_sml.jpg

[seafuryfan]

As a 'spotty spotter' I was with a pal one weekend in the 70's looking around the hangars at Shoreham when the tannoy announced that a Spitfire would was to give a short display and then land. Being a couple of Commando comic addicts and fans of all things WWII, to say we were excited at our first ever look at a Spitfire is a bit of an understatment.

We saw the ac arrive at height passing from east to west at a grand or so, then disappear out of sight. A couple of minutes later, standing on seats (good thing, Ray was flying her), I yelled 'there it is!' as MH434 arrived in the fashion mentioned on previous posts - from behind the hangars at low level. I'm not ashamed to say a tear or two was shed as MH434 rocketed pass with the Merlin in full song. The Master then gave his Masterclass to the assembled, landed, refuelled, and then departed a few minutes later.

I remember eveything about that encounter, right down to the BP decal on the side (Remember? In Sir Adrian Swire's colours). I was fortunate enough to see Ray repeat his skills at Biggin Hill for some years after (see Heliport's attachment).

All those Summer weekends, year after year, devoted to displaying for us all - thanks Ray, and thanks to Ray's family, too.

What a way to finish life, still at the top of your game :ok:

[mattyj]

..a legend..happy flying Sir..you will be missed at Wanaka next year!!

[dmussen]

Bugger! First met him in the seventies at Valley and saw him fly a stunning display in a Mk.9 Spit at Duxford in July this year(the best solo aeros I have ever witnessed). He'll be shooting lines with Mark.

[straitsex]

R.I.P. Ray Hanna.

[BOAC]

Ray had been invited to a small get-together for current and ex team and friends last night, so it was an evening tinged with sadness.

I never had the privilege of being lead by Ray - he was 'before my time', but without any disrespect to the excellent leaders who followed him, it is right to say that the team would not be what it is today without the leadership, persistence and effort he put into it in his time. Much of the team 'language' and tradition came from him.

I did manage two 'back-seat' rides under his leadership, and the 'eclat' as the team crest has it was totally evident. The same skills and personal styles which I have always likened to those of a master painter or musician - you could tell instantly when you saw a Spit, Mustang or whatever, whether or not it was Ray.

I have told this story on a previous thread about him, but in the 70's I was standing next to an aviation insurance broker involved with the Spit while Ray did a 'private' display in it at Kemble. We all knew most of the dips and hollows around Kemble, but when Ray completely disappeared - prop disc and all - at the bottom of a loop, I turned to David and said "Well, does that give you any anxious moments" to which he replied "Not if it is Ray".

Nuff said.

[seafuryfan]

Another condolence thread, mainly from the worldwide warbird enthusiast community, can be viewed here:


htpp://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=55107


Very moving.

[Heliport]

Obituary from The Times
10 December 2005 Squadron Leader Ray Hanna
Leader of the Red Arrows whose skill and vision established it as the world's premier display team

Squadron Leader Ray Hanna, who established the Red Arrows as the world’s premier formation aerobatics team, was universally acknowledged as display pilot nonpareil for more than 40 years. It was no mean feat to remain at the peak of a young man’s pursuit while still display flying at the age of 77.

An outstanding fighter pilot with noted aerobatics talent and considerable experience in squadron formation teams, Hanna was an obvious choice when an official RAF aerobatics display team was formed in 1965. Within a year, Hanna was its leader.

His leadership brought a style and panache into displays which took the Red Arrows to new heights of excellence which earned worldwide acclaim. He created the first nine-ship precision formation team, and his “Diamond 9” remains the team’s signature formation.

Until that point the highlights of formation aerobatics displays, here and abroad, had been achieved at the expense of intervals of empty sky while the team repositioned. Hanna’s philosophy was that each manoeuvre should flow seamlessly into the next. As he told his team: “If the crowd have time to lick their ice-creams, we aren’t doing our job properly!”

The Red Arrows immediately became a star attraction across the world. Today’s displays still conform to the template Hanna developed, and subsequent leaders freely admit that the premier position the team still holds is largely due to the solid foundation he laid in the 1960s.

His radio instructions during thrilling displays were the quintessence of quiet authority. A pilot who flew under Hanna in those early days, and led the team himself a decade later, recalled: “Ray had an instinctive feel for display flying. His exceptional flying ability and air of calm confidence inspired us to follow him without question. We had complete trust in him.”

There was the occasional brush with higher authority who felt some manoeuvres were a little too punchy, but Hanna usually persuaded the air marshals that they were carefully designed to look exciting but were actually quite safe.

Hanna served a record four years as Red Leader. In recognition of his exceptional leadership of what quickly became the public face of the RAF, he was awarded a Bar to the Air Force Cross he had received seven years earlier for outstanding airmanship as a fighter pilot.


Raynham George Hanna was born at Takapuna, New Zealand, on the 28th August 1928. He learned to fly Tiger Moths after leaving Auckland Grammar School and, in 1949, worked his passage on a steamer to England in the hope of joining the RAF.

Earning his Wings before piston-engine fighters were superseded, he flew such types as the Tempest, Sea Fury and Beaufighter. He went on to fly virtually all the early British jet fighters, including the Meteor in the fighter-reconnaissance role from RAF Gütersloh in Germany, one of the most demanding for a single-seat pilot. He subsequently described it as: “Four years never above 100 feet.”

After leaving the Red Arrows in 1969, he was posted to a ground job. For a man born to fly, a desk job was unbearable, and he resigned.


In 1971 he began a new career in civil aviation. After seven years as a captain with Cathay Pacific, he became chief pilot of a diplomatic organisation with worldwide operations, remaining until retirement.

For three more decades, he continued to contribute his skills to the civilian airshow world. In the 1970s, he was invited to display MH434, the famous Mk IX Spitfire, which he later acquired.

In 1981 Hanna’s fighter pilot son Mark left the RAF to join him in founding the Old Flying Machine Company, restoring and operating Second World War combat aircraft at Duxford. Their performances on the international display circuit led to being in regular demand by film-makers. Breathtaking flying sequences in Empire of the Sun (1987) and Memphis Belle (1989) led to numerous film credits, and to Stephen Spielberg insisting that their services be engaged for his film Saving Private Ryan (1998).

Father and son enjoyed a mutual respect and pride. Mark’s tragic death in 1999, in a flying accident which Hanna witnessed, was a devastating blow. The courage and fortitude with which he coped with his private pain, and gradually returned to his flying form to continue the project they began, earned him widespread admiration.

Hanna’s ability to fly war machines exceptionally low with safety and precision invariably evoked rapturous applause during airshows. A few hours later, as the show drew to a close, the same spectators would watch in total silence, with tears in many an eye, as Hanna in his Spitfire performed the most graceful aerial ballet.


A famously approachable man of great modesty, Hanna was unfailingly helpful to less experienced pilots. An inspiration to others, he remained totally unaffected by the immense esteem in which he was held.

He is survived by his wife Eunice, whom he married in 1957, and their daughter Sarah.



Squadron Leader Ray Hanna, AFC and Bar, fighter and display pilot, was born on August 28, 1928. He died on December 1, 2005, aged 77.

[Chimbu chuckles]

The only thing sadder than this news is the thought of Ray at 80 and perhaps unable to fly anymore...perhaps his timing, as always, was inpeccable...life doesn't have to be long it just has to be lived....his was long and certainly lived.

I talked to him once for 10-15 minutes at Duxford last year on my first visit there...what a nice chap...never saw him fly in the flesh and find that regretable.

That clip of him scaring the rap out of the reporter is saved to my hard drive and is, without doubt, the best few minutes of flying footage ever filmed....that and the bridge sequence I have on my DVD copies of 'Piece of Cake'.

RIP sir....and congrats on a life well lived.

Chuck.

[PPRuNe Pop]

The Times obituary to Ray today shows almost a whole page, with pictures. It is most impressive if you fancy getting a copy.

[Jetstream Rider]

Unfortunately I never met Ray Hanna, but I did have the utmost respect and admiration for him, and Mark.

I was saddened to hear of Marks death and too am saddened to hear of Ray's. I almost wrote to him when I was little to ask about flying and I regret not doing so.

I wish his family all the best and am glad I got to see Ray display and hear about him, even though I never managed to speak to him.

[Anne Tenner]

I have just had a look at the actual Obituary in the Times.
It makes an excellent memento for those who would like to keep something to remember him by.

The actual article is much more impressive than the internet version.
They have devoted nearly a whole page to Ray, complete with photos, including one of the Red Arrows in their Gnat days.

I think t is a very well-written obituary which gives a real feel for Ray and his unique skills and achievements, as well as giving an insight to what a great character and likeable person he must have been.

(For anyone who wants to get a copy, if your local newsagent has sold out, the supermarkets always buy a large supply of papers and are bound to have some left).




Apparently it was written by Pprune's own Flying Lawyer, so all credit to him for a really superb tribute to Ray, by someone who knew him well.

[Violet Garlic]

My formative years were spent watching people like Ray Hanna and Raymond Baxter on the television and they and others like them undoubtedly fueled my passion for aviation.

Condolencies to Ray's family.

I never met him,however I know there are thousands of people like me who thought he was brilliant and the ultimate professional.

Cheers Ray...

[markflyer6580]

A sad loss to aviation but I will remember him as one of the best.
My 3 year old daughter will not let a day pass without seeing the low pass video over Alain!,she will never see him fly in the flesh but I'm sure she is just as impressed as Iwas from a young age.
RIP Ray.

[The Duchess]

I only had the great pleasure of meeting Ray Hanna briefly once in New Zealand, but have watched his displays both in NZ and here in the UK on many occasions with enormous admiration.
Thank you Ray.
RIP

[SecurID]

I guess I am at 'that age' where, from time to time, someone I have admired in my youth passes away.

I was always thrilled as a kid to see Ray display the Spitfire at various airshows, but Biggin Hill and laterly Duxford seem to be the places where I saw him fly most; today I am so very sad to hear this news.

May his family rest assured that he was an inspiration to many and may Ray rest in peace.

[BRL]

This is the obituary from the Times.

The Times
10 December 2005
quote:

Squadron Leader Ray Hanna
Leader of the Red Arrows whose skill and vision established it as the world's premier display team


Squadron Leader Ray Hanna, who established the Red Arrows as the world’s premier formation aerobatics team, was universally acknowledged as display pilot nonpareil for more than 40 years. It was no mean feat to remain at the peak of a young man’s pursuit while still display flying at the age of 77.

An outstanding fighter pilot with noted aerobatics talent and considerable experience in squadron formation teams, Hanna was an obvious choice when an official RAF aerobatics display team was formed in 1965. Within a year, Hanna was its leader.

His leadership brought a style and panache into displays which took the Red Arrows to new heights of excellence which earned worldwide acclaim. He created the first nine-ship precision formation team, and his “Diamond 9” remains the team’s signature formation.

Until that point the highlights of formation aerobatics displays, here and abroad, had been achieved at the expense of intervals of empty sky while the team repositioned. Hanna’s philosophy was that each manoeuvre should flow seamlessly into the next. As he told his team: “If the crowd have time to lick their ice-creams, we aren’t doing our job properly!”

The Red Arrows immediately became a star attraction across the world. Today’s displays still conform to the template Hanna developed, and subsequent leaders freely admit that the premier position the team still holds is largely due to the solid foundation he laid in the 1960s.

His radio instructions during thrilling displays were the quintessence of quiet authority. A pilot who flew under Hanna in those early days, and led the team himself a decade later, recalled: “Ray had an instinctive feel for display flying. His exceptional flying ability and air of calm confidence inspired us to follow him without question. We had complete trust in him.”

There was the occasional brush with higher authority who felt some manoeuvres were a little too punchy, but Hanna usually persuaded the air marshals that they were carefully designed to look exciting but were actually quite safe.

Hanna served a record four years as Red Leader. In recognition of his exceptional leadership of what quickly became the public face of the RAF, he was awarded a Bar to the Air Force Cross he had received seven years earlier for outstanding airmanship as a fighter pilot.


Raynham George Hanna was born at Takapuna, New Zealand, on the 28th August 1928. He learned to fly Tiger Moths after leaving Auckland Grammar School and, in 1949, worked his passage on a steamer to England in the hope of joining the RAF.

Earning his Wings before piston-engine fighters were superseded, he flew such types as the Tempest, Sea Fury and Beaufighter. He went on to fly virtually all the early British jet fighters, including the Meteor in the fighter-reconnaissance role from RAF Gütersloh in Germany, one of the most demanding for a single-seat pilot. He subsequently described it as: “Four years never above 100 feet.”

After leaving the Red Arrows in 1969, he was posted to a ground job. For a man born to fly, a desk job was unbearable, and he resigned.


In 1971 he began a new career in civil aviation. After seven years as a captain with Cathay Pacific, he became chief pilot of a diplomatic organisation with worldwide operations, remaining until retirement.

For three more decades, he continued to contribute his skills to the civilian airshow world. In the 1970s, he was invited to display MH434, the famous Mk IX Spitfire, which he later acquired.

In 1981 Hanna’s fighter pilot son Mark left the RAF to join him in founding the Old Flying Machine Company, restoring and operating Second World War combat aircraft at Duxford. Their performances on the international display circuit led to being in regular demand by film-makers. Breathtaking flying sequences in Empire of the Sun (1987) and Memphis Belle (1989) led to numerous film credits, and to Stephen Spielberg insisting that their services be engaged for his film Saving Private Ryan (1998).

Father and son enjoyed a mutual respect and pride. Mark’s tragic death in 1999, in a flying accident which Hanna witnessed, was a devastating blow. The courage and fortitude with which he coped with his private pain, and gradually returned to his flying form to continue the project they began, earned him widespread admiration.

Hanna’s ability to fly war machines exceptionally low with safety and precision invariably evoked rapturous applause during airshows. A few hours later, as the show drew to a close, the same spectators would watch in total silence, with tears in many an eye, as Hanna in his Spitfire performed the most graceful aerial ballet.


A famously approachable man of great modesty, Hanna was unfailingly helpful to less experienced pilots. An inspiration to others, he remained totally unaffected by the immense esteem in which he was held.

He is survived by his wife Eunice, whom he married in 1957, and their daughter Sarah.

Squadron Leader Ray Hanna, AFC and Bar, fighter and display pilot, was born on August 28, 1928. He died on December 1, 2005, aged 77.

[old-timer]

I've remembered a display that impressed me (& many many more) at DX from Ray.


After Hoofs tragic incident Ray and Paul went up and gave a tail chase display (Fury & Bearcat I seem to remember) that was such a wonderful tribute to Hoof, it was both inspired and compassionate with it's effect on the saddened crowd,
a hearty applause resounded around DX upon landing as I remember it.

Thank you Ray, we will never forget your humanity and skill.

[Synthetic]

Trust he is with Mark now.

[Wally Walters]

Best "BOSS" ever.
Red arrows team 1968

[Front Pit]

I had the pleasure over the past fifteen years or so on many a visit from Australia to UK Airshows to see the outstanding display of Ray Hanna in his Spitfire. Is there a more evocative sound than that of a merlin engine over an English countryside? And I certainly agree with dmanton300's comment that Ray and Mark are flying a merlin formation in heaven as we speak.

While I will always think of Ray flying at Duxford in Spitfire MH 434 one display at the Biggin Hill Air Fair in 91 flying the 109 Buchon will be forever etched in my memory along with a little help from my video camera. It was a display which had the crowd gasping in awe of this remarkable aviator. Ray did'nt seem to fly these aircraft they seemed to be a part of him and he will be sadly missed from the warbird fraternity. My condolences to the Hanna family.

Thanks Ray, thanks for the memories, R.I.P.

[SASless]

www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,60-1918199,00.html

This being an aviation forum attended by professionals involved in all facets of aviation, I feel a tribute to one of our own is appropriate. Ray Hanna, a former Red Arrows Display pilot and leader in the Restoration and Display of Classic Warbirds died recently.

The link will take you to the Obituary for Ray Hanna who is a legend among those involved in the restoration of classic aircraft and aerial displays. Hanna touched many lives during his time and was looked upon by many as why Aviation Professionals are a breed apart from the earthbound.

The obituary was written by 'Flying Lawyer' Tudor Owen, a noted Barrister who practices Aviation Law in the UK and a long time friend of Hanna. Aviation has lost a one of its greatest and my condolences go out to his family and friends around the world.

Ray, along with his son Mark Hanna who died in a BF-109 crash in Spain, will be missed by all those who knew them.

[Capt.KAOS]

I saw the video with Ray Hanna low flying the over the head of De Cadenet.

I had to look 3 times where the hell he was coming from, seems he was coming from underground. My utter respect for this gentleman.


I love this pic and made it my desktop background...:



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Raytrack-1.jpg

[Wholigan]

There is an excellent tribute thread on this topic here (http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=200715)

[Airbanda]

Listenable audio obit, including interviews with colleagues, on BBC Radio Five's Brief Lives programme on Sunday 11 December. Available to listen again for the next week or so.

Link at http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/listen/audioarchive.shtml, and you'll find it under news programmes about two thirds of the way down the page.

If link does not to work a search for Brief Lives from the Five Live homepage should find it.




Airbanda - Proud to be an anorak

[jimme747]

I am speechless.

Met him once in the early nineties at a display, had my tape recorder with me and was able to record a lot of passes. It was so impressive that I decided to have one on my laptop when it starts up.

I have listened to it ever since.

It will stay there forever.

Stop the clocks............

[tall and tasty]

I read the article in a certain aviation newspaper that arrived at work today about the sad loss.

He seemed to be an amazing man and a great asset to this country and anyone who would want to learn to fly would truly be inspired by him.
Strangley his face was so so familiar and I could not put my finger on it until they showed a picture of him as a younger man with the racing driver Graham Hill and that is where I recognised him from. My father was a great follower of the his team in the 1960's

The pictures were taken in 1967.


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1967team4.jpg


http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1967team5.jpg



Very very sad for the industry to lose someone that will be held in high esteem, my symapthies to his family who have had to sustain another loss and at a poignant time in the year.

TnT :(

[tinpis]

Is that a Gnat?

Yes tinnie.

[Flying Lawyer]

Pictures speak a thousand words and will help people in the future understand why those of us who had the privilege of seeing Ray in action had so much respect for his exceptional skills and ability to thrill airshow audiences.






Threads merged - link deleted

[Flying Lawyer]

1966

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1966team2.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1966team3.jpg


1967

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1967team10.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1967team9.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1967team4.jpg


1968

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1968team5.jpg



1969

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/1969team2.jpg

[Bronx]

Just posting pics in honour of a fine pilot and for others to enjoy

We don't get to see anything this good in the US.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/BronxNYC/SpitBH434.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/BronxNYC/rayzdb.jpg



Threads merged - link deleted

[Mike51]

Duxford 9 October 2004 in his own inimitable style.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/Mike_Shreeve/DX%2009_10_04/IMG_2702.jpg




And the final display, Duxford 14 October 2005 ..........


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/Mike_Shreeve/DX%2016_10_05/IMG_9874.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/Mike_Shreeve/DX%2016_10_05/IMG_9868.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/Mike_Shreeve/DX%2016_10_05/IMG_9885.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/Mike_Shreeve/DX%2016_10_05/IMG_9900a.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v718/Mike_Shreeve/DX%2016_10_05/IMG_9914.jpg


RIP Ray

[Flying Lawyer]

Stunning pictures Mike51

Your 2004 shot really does capture Ray in his own inimitable style. :ok:






Threads merged - link deleted

[JDK]

Sad news, but a life lived and one shared widely to the highest standard.

One of the true greats, and in my opinion, unarguably one of the greatest display pilots ever, arguably the best in the UK, and in command of MH434 - what a partnership.
A great loss, but we have been privileged to witness one of the best.


Ray and '434 at the Spitfire's 50th birthday party at Duxford in 1994
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1RayHannaMH43450th.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1mh434_50th2x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1mh434_50th3x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1mh434_50th5x.jpg

[grow45]

I never met Ray and probably only saw him display a couple of times but the recent tributes and photos made me wonder if I had actually seen him display with the Red Arrows rather than only much more recently in warbirds as I had previously thought

My earliest memory is as 4 year old watching the launch of the Queen Elizabeth 2 from John Brown's shipyard on the Clyde on 20th September 1967. I was watching from the window of an Aunt's house which overlooked the river and the event was also live on TV. What has always stuck in my memory was that out of the window I could see a formation of jets fly past whilst at the same time watching them on the TV in the corner of the room. This was in 1967 and if it was the Red Arrows it would have been Ray Hanna leading them but is there any way of confirming if it was the Red Arrows. Is there a list of all their displays available anywhere that would confirm if it was them. The official website has some history but not on a display by display basis.

I think there were other teams around at the time or it may just have been a one off for the event but I would be interested in any leads as to whether it was the Red Arrows or another team

Thanks

g45

[GSpinks]

A couple that I have to hand.

Taken at Biggin Hill this year.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/gspinks/Biggin%20Hill/BigginHill022.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/gspinks/Biggin%20Hill/BigginHill007.jpg

RIP Ray Hanna

[Archimedes]

In case anyone hasn't seen this, story by BBC news on the funeral service (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4532334.stm)

[RVR800]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4532334.stm

RIP

[BossEyed]

Good for MOD and the Reds. :ok:

This thread seems a suitable place to repeat the image from the BBC site's story.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/graphics/2005/12/16/narrows16.jpg



http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/_41126110_tributesss_300.jpg




<Thanks for adding the extra (and moving) pic, Mods.>

[WG774]

Considering my only exposure to Mr Hanna was through the privilege of witnessing his displays at shows, I took my time in posting to this thread because I felt somewhat “deprived” knowing I wouldn’t see this unique flair again, and felt my thoughts would look selfish; but having said that, I guess it speaks volumes for Mr Hanna’s artistry that someone would feel this way.

The end of an era - airshows just became a far more sanitised activity.

Thank-you for the memories Ray!

[DET1]

Nice story on the BBC website regarding the tribute to Ray Hannah.

[SmilingKnifed]

Does anyone have a link?

[ppf]

The story can be found here,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4532334.stm

RIP

ppf :(

[Jackonicko]

Red Arrows in tribute to founder

The Red Arrows have flown over a funeral in tribute to one of the pilots who made them famous.
Five jets swooped low as New Zealander Ray Hanna, who helped to develop the display team in the 1960s, was buried near his home in Parham, Suffolk.

Squadron Leader Hanna died earlier this month aged 77.

On Thursday, a Spitfire joined the flypast to mark Mr Hanna's work as an airshow display pilot following his retirement from the RAF.

"He was a key figure in the history of Red Arrows," said a spokeswoman for the team.

"He was the leader of the team when it became famous in the late 1960s and one of our greatest pilots."

She added: "Under his leadership, the team flew for the first time as a nine-ship formation and received worldwide acclaim for their dynamic precision formation flying."

Mr Hanna was a founder member of the Red Arrows in 1965 and led the team during its formative years between 1966 and 1969.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41127000/jpg/_41127098_rayhanna203_pa.jpg

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41126000/jpg/_41126108_flypastss.jpg

[treadigraph]

Dear all,

Just had some very sad news from someone close to me, on top of the loss of Ray. I have some serious regrets about them and Ray...

Biggin Hill at various shows - Ray, the master, in Spitfire MH434. Who could ask for more?

Bless you Ray for the pleasure that your displays gave to me and to so many. I never met you, but saw you fly frequently over the last three decades. Never disappointed. Wish I could have shared that with you over a beer or few.

Treadders

[treadigraph]

What a fabulous set of photos of the Master!

Keep them coming, and how about some videos?

Treadders

[Chimbu chuckles]

How come he (seemed to) prefer canopy open in the Spit?

Did CAA ever give him any grief...he seems to have spent more than his fair share of time spontaneously arriving around light poles and hangars...and reporters?;)

Who's the young chap with the model in the picture below? :}

[JDK]

Like many great artists, it's difficult to believe he's gone. If Spitfire MH434 was a Stradivarius, Ray was as good as Paganini.

But, as ever, he's going up...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1mh434_50th2x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1mh434_50th3x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/JDK2/1mh434_50th5x.jpg

(MH434's 50th birthday party, 1994)

Thanks for the memories.

[LOMCEVAK]

I have been asked to post a few words about Ray's funeral last Thursday, and I know that his family will be touched by your interest in this farewell to him.

The funeral took place in a small, beautiful church in the quiet Suffolk village that had been Ray's home for many years. It was attended by his family and close friends; from his village and from New Zealand, from today's air display community and his old Red Arrows team mates, from Cathay Pacific and all of Ray's other walks of life. One of the other Spitfire legends, Alex Henshaw, also came to pay his respects.

The service and hymns were very traditional and appropriate. Nigel Lamb read a passage from the Bible and Ray's daughter, Sarah, read a poem that epitomised my memories of Ray's character.

Tudor Owen (Flying Lawyer) eloquently gave an address that described Ray's life as a pilot, a husband, a father and simply as a great man; many aspects of this address have already been included in posts on this thread. It was a service that, whilst tinged with much sadness, was a true celebration of his life with a great tribute to Ray.

The coffin was carried from the church and up the gentle slope of the churchyard, followed by a procession of the mourners. Uncannily, a rainbow then appeared in the thin cirrus cloud layer high in the crisp, clear blue sky. As the coffin was lowered into a grave alongside that of Ray's son, Mark, the Red Arrows flew past in a 5-ship vic formation. This was followed by a final tribute, a low pass over the grave by the aircraft that had become synonymous with Ray, Spitfire MH434, flown by his former Breitling Fighters wingman, Lee Proudfoot.

Ray's family and friends then made the short walk to his home which overlooks the church and Ray and Mark's graves. Many stories were told of the wonderful times that we had all spent with him. For me, it was a day of sadness but one which made me realise what a great privilege it had been to have been able to fly with someone who will always be respected as probably the greatest display pilot that any us will ever know.

Ray, we will never forget you or what you gave to us all. Thank you.

[LOMCEVAK]

I have also put a personal report of the funeral on the Rumours and News thread.

[zed3]

LOMCEVAK..... Thank YOU , Sir .

[BigPhil]

RIP Ray, and thank you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/I8Spotters/Airshows%202005/RayWanakaPP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/I8Spotters/Airshows%202005/434duxPP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/I8Spotters/Airshows%202005/434bigginPP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v37/I8Spotters/Airshows%202005/RayBiigin04PP.jpg

[Flying Lawyer]

Chimbu chuckles "Who's the young chap with the model in the picture?"Sqd Ldr Jock Maitland - organiser of the Biggin Hill Air Fair for many years.
The Red Arrows gave their first public performance at the Biggin Hill airshow in 1965 and have appeared there most, or possibly all, years since.


Another picture showing Ray's famous precision at low level which always thrilled the Biggin crowds -

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/434_Hawk.jpg

[spekesoftly]

Sad times indeed.

Over the past few weeks we have seen Ray Hanna and Dizzy Addicott and pass away.


God bless.


Threads merged - link deleted

[trevelyan]

LOMCEVAK WROTE:

For me, it was a day of sadness but one which made me realise what a great privilege it had been to have been able to fly with someone who will always be respected as probably the greatest display pilot that any us will ever know.

Ray, we will never forget you or what you gave to us all. Thank you.


Cant really top that, thanks for the post lomcevak, real tears to the eyes stuff, and i think will give alot of us an idea of the sadness, mixed with the joy and celebration of a day so many wished we could have been there for.

See you on the other side Ray..

T

[Fokkerwokker]

I too was in the congregation at Ray’s funeral and had also been asked to post a few words. They are regrettably a little late, due to logistical reasons, for which I apologise. I had written this at about the same time as LOMCEVAK and I hope he won’t mind my contribution.


The day was bright and clear as we made our way to the church from the paddock carpark, unable to miss seeing the mound of floral tributes gathering at the graveside in the distance.

Acting as ushers at the church were well known faces from the world of UK display flying. An organ was playing unobtrusively as my lady and I walked down the aisle to take our places. Ray’s coffin, adorned with a huge floral display of lilies, was already in place at the front of the church with family and close friends sat in the choir stalls, facing it from either side.

In the pews in the main body of the church were many recognisable faces, some of whom had worn, in bygone times, the red flying suit with which Ray was so famously associated and were indeed his team members from so long ago. Also present were family, friends and fellow pilots, some of whom, had travelled half the globe for this very sad occasion.

The service started with the singing of a traditional hymn, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’, which was followed by a reading from Isaiah by Nigel Lamb.
Tudor Owen (our very own Flying Lawyer) then stood up to speak about Ray’s life and times in aviation and about his fine qualities as a man. A hard emotional task but beautifully delivered. Indeed a chuckle rippled through the congregation at the comment that Ray would be wholly embarrassed by ‘all the fuss’ - and that is putting it politely.

Then followed the hymn ‘He who would valiant be’, followed by prayers led by the vicar. The hymn ‘Jerusalem’ was then sung followed by Sarah Hanna reading a poem by Stephen Spender. The vicar brought the church service to a close by reading the blessing during which the the pall bearers advanced forward for the carrying of the coffin.

As the coffin was slowly manoeuvred onto the shoulders of the four men the church fell astonishingly quiet, each individual present locked into their personal thoughts of Ray. Immediate family followed the coffin out of the church with the congregation following respectfully, and silently, behind. The cortege made its way slowly up the sloping ground to the top of the graveyard.
Poignant indeed was the muted sound of a Merlin engine in the chill breeze holding out of sight in the distance as the last of the congregation completed the steep walk to the graveside. The assembly stood in bare-headed silence as the vicar started to read the committal.

An air of expectancy was sated by a rushing, roaring noise as five Hawks of the Red Arrows, trailing smoke, streaked in and banked to the left, abeam the grave in fond salute to their most respected member. Within moments the familiar liquid gold sound of a Merlin at high power reached our ears followed by the sight of MH434 bearing down at speed on the graveyard, seemingly at tree top height. It was a fitting tribute as Ray’s coffin was slowly lowered into the ground next to the grave of his son Mark.
At the conclusion of the committal prayer Ray’s wife Eunice stepped forward to drop flowers onto the polished wood coffin as Sarah, in turn, dropped Ray's well worn flying gloves to be with him for eternity.
In heartrending, symbolic style MH434 circled lazily heavenwards and slowly disappeared from view.

As the immediate family slowly walked back down towards the church and Ray's home, individuals formed a respectful queue to stand for a few moments in front of the open grave with their individual and personal thoughts about Ray. I had a lot to thank Ray for as I too took my turn.

A beautifully simple, yet moving ceremony for a man who came to mean so much to so many.

[Heliport]

Red Arrows Flypast


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/Ray/RayFuneralFlypast.jpg


http://tinypic.com/izrllv.jpg





BBC pictures

[Anne Tenner]

A big thank you to Lomcevak and Fokkerwokker for taking the trouble to write about the funeral.

I think the family were wise to keep the funeral itself private, but it's good to read that a highly respected aviator who inspired other pilots and gave so much pleasure to so many people was paid fitting tributes both in the service and in the air.


Thank you both.

[Visual Approach]

What can I say that hasn't already been said.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray briefly at WoW'04, but had seen him fly many times before.

Again, the sight of Ray and Mark "in combat" over Wanaka in the Spit and Me109 will last for ever.

They are both missed!

[John Eacott]

Today's Sydney Morning Herald has Ray's obituary, here. (http://www.smh.com.au/news/obituaries/fighter-pilot-who-led-the-red-arrows/2005/12/30/1135915691190.html)

[Heliport]

Tribute thread moved (with link) from Rumours & News today, at 149 posts and 56,766 views.

[dippyg]

Hi, Just wondered where you got your DVD of 'Piece of Cake'. I have been trying to find video/DVD of that TV series for years, but no success, can you help.

Regards Norm

[ORAC]

NTSC version (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004W5P1/qid=1137157437/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_10_1/203-1653823-6497526) from Amazon UK.

[Heliport]

A number of people asked for details of the Memorial Service to be posted when arranged.

PPRuNe has received the following -


Date : Thursday 2 March 2006
Time : 12:00
Venue : Church of the Royal Air Force, St Clement Danes, Strand, London WC2
Dress : Lounge suit. Serving Officers, non-ceremonial day dress.



Those wishing to attend should write to:

Flying Officer D Birch
RAF Ceremonial Office
RAF Bentley Priory
Stanmore
Middlesex HA7 3HH

Or email : [email protected] ([email protected])


PPRuNe


Threads merged -link deleted

[Spot 4]

I am sure that Ray would appreciate this thread ending on a high, especially as it is his high!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/XR991-Red1.jpg

[Heliport]

I agree.

This has become the biggest tribute thread in the history of PPRuNe.
As Pprune Pop said earlier, it can be kept as a permanent tribute, brought to the top on anniversaries in years to come.



Threads merged - link deleted

[Flying Lawyer]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Ray_Red1_low.jpg



The Memorial Service is not yet a ticketed event but if that changes in the next 3½ weeks (as is likely) people who've notified the RAF that they wish to attend will be issued with tickets.


FL

[TimS]

Flying Lawyer - any details on that photograph, one of the best flying shots I have ever seen, the man himself I assume?


TimS

[Saabassta]

Sad to hear the news, I first knowingly saw Ray and Mark at Terry Holdings Orsett airshow, Mark flew the Kittyhawk and as he came past the crowd line Brendan O'brien gasped as Mark looked like he was pulling so hard he would rip the harness from its mountings, Ray flew as he always does, immaculately..... another thing that stood out that day was Eddie Coventry's 'John Derry under' that nearly ended prematurely in his Silver Spitfire, as the saying goes there are old pilots and bold pilots, I think Ray was one of the few to wear both caps. I have pictures somewhere I'll post them if they have not faded away.

hold on to each other guys and dont let go....

[Cameratwo]

Ray in his "office"
http://www.flyingmachines.tv/page1/files/RayHanna.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/TributeBackup/Camera2.jpg

[RabbitLeader]

That's a great shot - the smile says it all, really.

[halfpenny25]

Wonderful pic, cameratwo,thankyou, made me smile too ! when, where & how was that taken?! Just had to join up ............ I have found comfort in the tributes to Ray H. ( so accurate & consistent ). I first met Ray in the 70's when we flew together with Lloyd International Airways, I was a mere fledgeling air stewardess ! It was a privilege to have known him and to experience his flying as one with his unique Spitfire, MH434 , at last years Goodwood Revival, this will never be forgotten or be the same again. He was a VERY special person ...... so missed. Goodnight Ray. P.S. is there anyone else with contacts/memories of Lloyd I.A. ?

[Cameratwo]

It is a still image from a film I made about MH434, where I had the privilege to spend a Summer with two of the finest warbird pilots in the world.

[Flying Lawyer]

TimS

The photograph was taken during team practice in 1966.
I found it on the web while doing some research about Ray leading the Arrows, but can't now remember where.

I don't know who (if anyone) owns the copyright.
It's up to you if you take the risk but, if it's for non-commercial use ...............

NB: That is not legal advice. ;)


FL

[BOAC]

I'm pretty sure it is a still from a film made Arthur Gibson, now sadly no longer with us, and maybe Catalina.org could put you in touch with his 'estate managers'?
It was a 'presentation' on the team and how they worked/practiced. It used to be shown when asked to give talks to schools/WI's /flying clubs etc.
A couple of (scanned) pictures - also copyright Arthur, for the thread and for TimS, the first I think also from the film shoots and the second for amusement.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/boacphotos/untitled-1.jpg

NB The next mate lurking behind the smoke................:)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/boacphotos/untitled-2.jpg

Ray has worked out there will be no need to duck!

Edit: TimS - I may have located the film - PM on its way. If I have it was 1969.

[Xeque]

I saved the first pic - it's outstanding. Interesting if you look at the size of Rays helmet in the cockpit you get a sence of how small the Gnat really was.

[AlanM]

Would love to have been there - but at least will be plugged in controlling the airspace above you!! :)

Any plans for anything RR powered to overfly??

[Reds Groupy]

Please excuse the lateness of this tribute, but I have only just discovered thise site.

I have been a lifelong lover of all things aeronautical, but never managed to aspire to the ultimate and fly myself. However, I think that through Ray and his wonderful displays, especially those wonderful trips down into the valley at Biggin, I managed to do just that.

Ever since the his days with the Reds I have admired and wondered at the skill with which he performed.

Thanks, Ray, RIP, you will forever be Red One.

[seafuryfan]

My earlier post reflected on how, as a youngster in the 70's, Ray 'blew me away' while flying MH434. These photos are mostly from that era.

VMT to those who posted some of these own shots onto the internet - credits will be added if required.


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/97aa838c.jpg



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/61be33ab.jpg



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/0fe81c35.jpg



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/f4690cc2.jpg



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/1074004377.jpg



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/14-NH904-20-003.jpg



http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/seafuryfan/14nh904030001.jpg





(Link fixed)

[jumpseater]

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1834.jpg
Queuing to enter the Church - 600+ people attended to pay their respects


After the Service .....

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1828.jpg
Mrs Eunice Hanna


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1855.jpg
Mrs Sarah Carr - Ray's daughter, read a poem 'The Airman's World'



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1830.jpg
(Centre) Nigel Lamb - 'OFMC' pilot, Ray Hanna's 'Breitling Fighters' wingman
Thedy Schneider (Breitling), Stefano Albinati (Breitling Aviation Director), Jacques Bothelin (Leader 'Breitling Jets' Display Team)



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1864.jpg
(Left) Simon Ames - former Fleet Air Arm pilot,Trustee of the de Havilland Flying Foundation and Brooklands Aviation Museum
(Right) Tudor Owen FRAeS - aviation barrister, former 'OFMC' pilot, PPRuNe 'Flying Lawyer', gave the Eulogy



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1851.jpg
Wg Cdr Brett Marshall - New Zealand Air Attaché


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1835.jpg
(Left, facing front) Capt Jock Lowe FRAeS - former Chief Pilot of BA, Master of the Guild of Air Pilots & Navigators
(Back, coming out of church) Raymond Baxter OBE - WW2 Spitfire pilot, veteran broadcaster



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1832.jpg
Alain de Cadenet - broadcaster



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1836.jpg
(Left) Ray's Gnat QFI's RAF Valley
(Front left) Rob Metcalfe - CAA SRG, Jane Larcombe (Fighter Collection, Duxford)


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1865.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1863.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1861.jpg
(R) David Boyce - aviation insurance consultant


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1850.jpg
(Left) Duncan Prentice - helicopter pilot, worked on Air America with Mark Hanna


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1849.jpg
Ian and Pauline Senior - Goodwood Revival



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1868.jpg
Light snow falling










PPRuNe has been sent some names to add to the pics.
If you know any others, please let us have them.
Heliport

[Chris Royle]

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d99/vintageaviation/RH_Service_sm.jpg



I had the privilege of attending the memorial service today, and would like to use this forum to say thank you to Flying Lawyer for the moving and wonderful tribute to Ray.

On this particular occasion, I hope that Flying lawyer will not object to having his anonymity revealed.
He is, of course, Tudor Owen FRAeS, a barrister by profession and a man for whom the aviation community has much to be grateful for.

His written obituary of Ray in The Times, and his spoken eulogy at Ray's memorial service were masterpieces.

Thank you Tudor.

Chris Royle

['Chuffer' Dandridge]

I'd also like to thank Flying Lawyer for his tribute to Ray, which in my opinion, was one of the finest I have ever heard at a memorial service

I felt very privileged to have known Ray Hanna both in a professional capacity and as a fellow display pilot, and FL's address summed him up to a tee.

A very moving day

[G-CPTN]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/lastword.shtml

Even those overseas can 'tune in' to the BBC 'Listen Again' service. This will be available for a week from now. Nice words.

[Dollond]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/lastword.shtml
Even those overseas can 'tune in' to the BBC 'Listen Again' service. This will be available for a week from now. Nice words.

Ray Hanna's obituary starts at 7 mins 20 secs into programme.

[jumpseater]

The church was lit by a bright, low, winter sun as the congregation assembled. The service started at mid-day with Nimrod by Elgar immediately preceding the service, and the church ground floor pews were packed, the overflow were acommodated in the upper levels.

The music in terms of the choir and the soloist, Helen Parker, who sang Pokarekare Ana was outstanding, and filled the church with a truely beautiful sound. The Hymn's were done justice too by the assembled congregation. As someone who is not a natural church goer the sound was genuinely uplifting.

The readings were from Sir Adrian Swire (Cathay Pacific), Lee Proudfoot ('Old Flying Machine Company' pilot) and Sara Hanna. The most poigniant for me was hearing Sara Hanna read 'The Airman's World', as a parent I know it would give me immense pride to hear any of my daughters read a passage so well at such an emotive event.

Tudor Owen FRAeS ('Flying Lawyer') gave an address relating many interesting elements of Ray Hannas life, to the congregation. These all set the tone superbly I felt, just the right amount of reflection of Ray Hannas life including some of the lows, and the undoubted highs.

As the service end many of the congregation chatted outside the church, and there were clearly many friends who knew one another and were renewing previous memories, friendships and aquaintances.
As the farewells and partings continued it began to lightly snow, ending a very thought provoking and memorable service.



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1862.jpg
(Left) Flt Lt Jim Schofield - Harrier Test Pilot, MoD Boscombe
(Centre) Mr James Hallam - Airline Pilot
(Right) Lee Proudfoot - airline pilot, 'OFMC' pilot, read 'Those Who Were Truly Great'



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1839.jpg
(Left, partly hidden) Sir John Allison KCB CBE - Air Chief Marshal of the Royal Air Force (retd) and display pilot




http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1866.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b395/jumpseater/_B6O1853.jpg



js
'just a fan'




Names added. Let us have any others you know.

[Amos Keeto]

I was there also and thought I would relate a few thoughts on proceedings.
The church was absolutely packed. All the old faces were there from the Red Arrows thoughout the '60s and '70s.
Superb and poignant addresses by Tudor Owen FRAeS, also by Sir Adrian Swire, Lee Proudfoot and daughter Sarah. A VERY moving service and excellent tribute to such a fine man.

This was one thing that I just felt compelled to do – to make a pilgrimage to London to show my respect for a man who I have greatly admired for 40 years. I first met Ray when the “Red Arrows” first formed at Fairford in 1965, but didn’t really get to know him until the team moved to Kemble the following year. I was a mere 16-year old ATC cadet and one telephone call to Ray was all it took to be invited over to Kemble by him to watch rehearsals. He always had time for me and never let me leave without giving me the latest brochure, publicity material and photographs. I lost track of him when he went to fly for Lloyd International and Cathay Pacific, but caught up with him again in the late ‘70s when he formed the Old Flying Machine company at Duxford. Amazing-he remembered me and was still the same man! I made a point of just saying ‘hello’ on every occasion I saw him, with the last chat being at Biggin Hill Air Fair in 2005 when he was part of the Red Arrows 40th Anniversary celebrations.

Thursday’s service was packed out, the church being filled with lovely choir music. There were tributes by Sir Adrian Swire, whom he acquired Spitfire MH434 from, from Lee Proudfoot of the Old Flying Machine Company and a lovely poem entitled “The Airman's World” from daughter Sarah.

However, the best tribute came from Tudor Owen, who is a pilot and London barrister specialising in aviation law and who got to know Ray when he operated a Harvard with OFMC. Tudor related Ray’s love of aviation from his days watching Tiger Moths in New Zealand, followed by learning to fly, then working his passage to England and continuing flying lessons. He was then accepted by the RAF and Tudor went into great detail about certain ‘exploits’ when Ray was leader of the Red Arrows, to much amusement. His whole aviation life was related and personal life touched on, with reference to the sad loss of son Mark.
Finally, after relating the magnificent Spitfire and warbird flying Ray executed during his final years, Tudor came full circle, back to that young boy that was stood watching Tiger Moths by the fence in Auckland – ‘THAT was Ray Hanna’, he said!
On that note, a bit of emotion overcame me!

At the end of the service, everyone started filing out and there were all the old faces I had known from the “Red Arrows” of the ‘60s and ‘70s, ‘Dinger’ Bell, his No.2, Henry Prince, Peter Evans, the very first Team Manager Dick Storer and subsequent leaders, Dickie Duckett, Ian Dick and Brian Hoskins, the last leader when the team flew Gnats. Also Henry Plosczek, in whose capable hands I flew with the "Red Arrows" in 1988.

I met up with some of them afterwards and made a special point of personally thanking Tudor Owen for his Address.

A wonderful tribute and something I wouldn't have missed for anything!

Adrian Balch (alias 'Amos Keeto')

[LOMCEVAK]

I would like to add my own memories to the above recollections of Ray's memorial service.

Ray had for so many years been a focus, a hub of the air display world. On Thursday 2nd March, 2006, that hub was at St Clement Dane's church. From all points of the compass a vast range of people came to pay their respects to Ray, and never has the phrase "pay their respects" been so apt. Some were personal, some on behalf of organisations and even countries that owed him so much. The whole day was centred on someone who commanded ultimate respect in the world of aviation. But the day was about more than just Ray's flying expoits. I went with my wife and daughter who both have always enjoyed watching him fly, but also knew him as a kind and gentle person who was always there at air shows; everyone's respect extended to Ray as a person as well as a pilot.

Before the service, in the winter's chill of a breezy day with crisp, bright, sunny blue skies, old friends gathered, welcoming each other warmly but all feeling the sadness of the occassion. Slowly, they filled the magnificent church that has long been the spiritual centre of the Royal Air Force. Quiet, polite conversation continued until the service started, precisely on time as befitted Ray's sense of precision! The whole service, the choir, musicians and speakers, were so appropriate, so polished and so worthy of Ray. Sarah's reading of "The Airman's World" was very brave at her father's memorial service, and I am sure that Lee Proudfoot had many special memories of Ray whilst reading "I Think of Those Who Were Truly Great" with great composure. The reading from Philippians by Sir Adrian Swire was spoken with great dignity and deliberation.

At the start of the service I sat with a friend who had been at Ray's funeral along with my wife and I. He commented that he hoped that Tudor Owen would give the same eulogy as at the funeral as it was such a marvellous tribute. Well, Tudor excelled once again in capturing Ray's life and personality. Some of the tales were old favourites, some were new to us, some were poignant, and some were funny. There was laughter, there were tears. And at the end I am sure that many (including me) wanted to applaud. However, conventional protocol maintained a warm silence. How long Tudor spoke for I do not know. But it was a tribute that lost no-ones concentration; any chaplain would be overwhelmed to have such attention paid to one of their sermons!

As the service finished, a congregation grew in front of the church once again. It seemed that no-one wanted to leave, until a snow shower reminded us that we had to move on! Ray's family kindly invited friends to a reception at the RAF Club where the exchange of stories continued well into the afternoon. When we finally had to leave, I felt a calmness that stemmed from the knowledge that I had been privileged to know and fly with one of the greatest. He will be there with us this season in spirit only, but he has left us a wonderful legacy of films and photographs and memories, with two great ladies, Eunice and Sarah, as custodians! He has left us the Old Flying Machine Company to keep his memory in the skies. And his charitable work for the Blond McIndoe Centre, the Hanna Surgical Research Fellowship, which he helped establish, will continue.

It was a fitting day to close not just a chapter in our lives but a book.

[Backtrack]

Is it possible to post the readings & eulogy?

I'm sure there would be world-wide appreciation by those who weren't at the memorial service.

[Heliport]

Report: The Times, Fri 3 March (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,61-2066780,00.html)



_





_

[PPTEL]

I to would like to thank The Flying Lawyer for his beautiful eulogy. I felt privileged to attend and to thank Ray for all he has given us, and for the inspiration given to me personally.

The day after Ray's memorial service was my forty-seventh birthday, my sister gave me a very old book by Ray Hanna & Auther Gibson, entitled 'Red Arrows', signed by them both. I will treasure it for ever, along with my personal memories of the past thirty-six years.


Steve.

[CityFlyer]

The Airman's World
by Gill Robb-Wilson
read by
Sarah Hanna
YOU'VE been cruising the brooding hills under
heavy skies – maybe a little lonely and a
bit uncertain – when suddenly the westerning sun
finds a slit in the canopy overhead.
.
Long after you’ve forgotten the sweat of the journey
you’ll remember the glimpse of that sunkissed
valley with the fingers of the hills all pointing
to it as though fearful that you might
miss its loveliness.
.
When you’ve flown enough years to have
crossed many hills and valleys, and known much
loneliness and endured many uncertainties – why then
you’re a pilot, and on the walls of your memory
are hung such frescoes as no other breed of
man has ever seen. And because of them you can
never grow too old and you can never be too
much afraid of what lies ahead.
.
Just as the fact of flight telescopes time and space,
so the experience of flying telescopes the
pattern of life itself for the airman.
.
If you don’t venture on sullen skies, you never
come to sunkissed valleys. If you palms have never
been moist, your heart has never thrilled. If you
have never been afraid, you have never been courageous.
.
You have learned that if skies were always
cloudless, the hills and valleys beneath would be
barren. You have seen primordial forces at
work beyond the control of any man, but you have
fashioned a skill to live with them
in security and peace. You have sensed that where
there is no challenge there is no achievement.
.
So I think he learns of life, this one with the seven
league boots, this airman who goes from
place to place with such swiftness that even the
moods of the sky itself are
all caught up in his going and coming.
.
And if it does not mould him in humility of mind
And in peace of heart – and if he does not
become in spirit at one with the fingered hills
pointing eternally to some bright human hope which
nestles in the shadows of the sullen
history – then I have not read with understanding
for most of a lifetime the long, long thoughts
of my confrères – they who have earned a
citizenship in the airman’s world.

[halfpenny25]

A Thanksgiving service in every sense of the word .. The sights and sounds will live with me for ever -- The towering stained glass windows of St.Clement Danes, the haunting rendition of Pokarekare Ana, (an instant emotion of Ray's New Zealand) the beautiful reading of The Airman's World from Sarah, and the inspiring eulogy from Tudor Owen.
All played their part in a memorable, poignant service for a true gentle airman .... Ray Hanna .... ALWAYS remembered

[Flying Lawyer]

Thank you very much for the kind comments.
I felt deeply honoured to be asked to give the address at the Service, but there was obviously a corresponding responsibility to do justice to a great aviator and fine man. If I managed to come close to doing that, I'm content.


Backtrack
A few people have PM'd asking me to post the tribute here. The problem is that my notes are in 'bullet points' form which mean a lot to me but wouldn't mean much to anyone else. I'll prepare a full version and post it.


FL

[Goodchap]

For Eunice and Sarah:

I was a member of the Red Arrows Groundcrew for some ten years - from 1967 to 1977, when I left the Gnat Team to learn about the Hawk.

The working premise for the Team was set by Ray Hanna and was followed religiously by subsequent leaders ; Denis Hazell, Bill Loverseed, Ian 'Widgie' Dick, Dickie Duckett, Frank Hoare and finally (for the Gnat), Brian Hoskins.

When I was asked why I had stayed with the Team for ten years, my reply was that I was doing the job I had been trained to do and that I had learned from Ray the value of being a team player. He knew personally who all his (groundcrew) Team were and what they were capable of. We managed the 10 Gnats of the Team with a travelling party of some seventeen airmen - when we met with the USAF's Thunderbirds - flying (I think six aircraft), they had some ninety-eight groundcrew!

I met Mark Hanna while I was Line Controller at RAF Valley. When I asked him how his father was, the following day he came to see me to pass on Ray's best wishes. He had remembered me, and asked, by name, how my family were.

As we used to say in the RAF - When they made Ray Hanna, they broke the mould. He will be sadly missed.:sad:

Goodchap

[Bronx]

Lovely tribute Goodchap.

It says a lot about Sqd Ldr Hanna that you speak so fondly about someone who was your Boss near 40 years ago.

B.

[sky9]

There was a very moving tribute to Ray Hanna today at the Goodwood Revival meeting.
Lord March spoke very well about his life and there was an flypast by 2 Spitfires and Mustangs.
I must admit to including Hoof in my thoughts as Lee Proodfoot demonstated a single Spitfire in very difficult flying conditions earlier in the day.

[Flying Lawyer]

I agree. It was a wonderful tribute.

Ray contributed significantly to the success of the Goodwood Revival, and it was good to see that recognised in an appropriate way.
For those who didn't recognise the setting, this picture I posted earlier in the thread was taken at one of the Revival meetings. (It's not my photograph, so I don't know which.)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Raytrack-1.jpg


Entirely agree about Hoof. When he was killed, it was more than the loss of a superb pilot - he was wonderful company.
Lee is a fine display pilot and a credit to his father.


Another link - one of the drivers in the Tourist Trophy race was Alain de Cadenet - commentator in the famous 'Oh my God!' video.
Video (http://alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/ohmygodSpitfire%20pass.wmv)


Tudor

[lsh]

Ray Hanna;
Blasting over the crowd from behind in his Gnat in the 70's.
Flying up the dispersal at Gutersloh in a spitfire during the 80's.
Simply landing at Goodwood in the P40 a couple of years back.
Thank-you,
Ad Astra!
PS; The dream spitfire display team; Hanna / Henshaw!
I guess it would have been possible timewise too!

[Flying Lawyer]

These pictures were taken during the tribute to Ray Hanna at the Goodwood Revival by Doug Nye, who will be well-known to any F1 fans as the distinguished Grand Prix writer and author of numerous leading books about GP teams, cars, drivers and races.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/GPLIBRARY_COPYRIGHT_G06SP1G06SP3.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/GPLIBRARY_COPYRIGHT_G06SP1.jpg



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/GPLIBRARY_COPYRIGHT_G06SP1G06SP5.jpg





Doug has kindly given me permission to post the pictures on PPRuNe as a record of Goodwood's "tributes to the great man."
They belong to Autosport's GP library.

Tudor

[old-timer]

Well done Lord March & the Goodwood Revival team - what a wonderful tribute to Ray.

Sept' 3rd was a personal memory anniversary for me.......
EGMC, approx' 16:00 local time, sept' 3rd 1989, MH434 in the hands of the master flew a run and break overhead just after I landed upon completion of my GFT, it was personal magic for me & the sight & sound was superb !!
The examiner enjoyed it too !!

God speed Ray - we miss you but we'll never forget you.

[halfpenny25]

I agree. It was a wonderful tribute.
Ray contributed significantly to the success of the Goodwood Revival, and it was good to see that recognised in an appropriate way.
For those who didn't recognise the setting, this picture I posted earlier in the thread was taken at one of the Revival meetings. (It's not my photograph, so I don't know which.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Raytrack-1.jpg
Entirely agree about Hoof. When he was killed, it was more than the loss of a superb pilot - he was wonderful company.
Lee is a fine display pilot and a credit to his father.
Another link - one of the drivers in the Tourist Trophy race was Alain de Cadenet - commentator in the famous 'Oh my God!' video.
Video (http://alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/Videos/ohmygodSpitfire%20pass.wmv)
Tudor Flying Lawyer- This momentous pic. of Ray was taken at the opening of the first Goodwood Revival, 18th Sept. 1998. which caused quite a stir!! Yes, the tribute to Ray on Sunday was SO poignant, & SO deserved, the one minute silence broken only by the flypast of two Spitfires, and the sun breaking through the clouds .... so missed ...

[Flying Lawyer]

These pictures of the tribute to Ray at Goodwood were sent to me by Dave Williamson from Sydney, Australia.
He has very kindly allowed me to add them to our tribute thread.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Ray_CIMG6872_900.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Ray_CIMG6860_900.jpg




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Ray_CIMG6868_900.jpg

[Flying Lawyer]

Landing at Goodwood 2005
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v146/FlyingLawyer/Ray_GoodwoodRevival05_web.jpg

Photograph by David Richardson, who writes:"I'm just your ordinary "Joe" enthusiast, but was privileged to have seen many of his displays both official and "unofficial" over the years and came to know him as the best.

Sadly I didn't see the "Goodwood Pass" as it happened on the first Friday, but suffice to say the place was buzzing about it when I arrived the following day.

The tribute to Ray at this year's Goodwood Revival was magnificent, with an immaculately observed minutes silence, brought to a close, rightly, by two Spitfires overhead."

[halfpenny25]

Really good 'photos thankyou, I totally forgot to use my camera so 'away' with the moment ...... Another record of Ray's flying I have been trying to obtain is 'Piece of Cake' any info. please, on where available ?

[halfpenny25]

It's ok, I've just ordered Piece of Cake! Amazing, but a dvd mail order catalogue arrived with the post today and there it was in the titles !! spooky! + Flying Legends Duxford 2005 !

[halfpenny25]

For Ray -- NEVER Forgotten, ALWAYS There ....

[treadigraph]

Thank you for the reminder Halfpenny. I'll raise a glass to Ray this afternoon.

Treadders

[Flying Lawyer]

Ray Hanna AFC*

28 Aug 1928 – 1 Dec 2005


Ray was buried at the Parish Church next to his home at Parham, Suffolk

on the 15th December 2005.






All of us here today, Ray’s family and close friends, have at least one thing in common: In our different ways, we all loved Ray.
· Eunice’s love – the abiding and unconditional love of a wife who loyally supported him for 48 years - and whom Ray called every day when his work took him away from home.
· Sarah’s love - the love of a daughter who adored her father and helped him so much with the Old Flying Machine Company; a daughter of whom Ray was so proud.
· The love of Ray’s brother from New Zealand who was so proud of him.
· And the love of the rest of us - his friends - who were honoured and privileged to be so.

We’re going to miss Ray and so, in a different way, will many who never met him. Ray touched the lives of literally millions of people - because his outstanding talent gave so much pleasure to so many over some 40 years.
Tributes from all over the world started flowing in to ‘PPRuNe’, the professional pilots’ website, from the moment Ray’s death was announced, and they continue. By this morning, there had been more than 40,000 views of those tributes.
A former Red Arrows Leader who originally flew as a member of Ray’s team wrote: “He was my role model, my hero.”
A pilot who was a First Officer at Cathay Pacific when Ray was a Captain wrote “He flew airliners with the same finesse and professionalism as he flew jet fighters.”
Another wrote “I was always pleased when the roster showed Ray was captain – I knew it would be fun.”
It seems that everyone who ever met Ray not only had enormous respect for his exceptional flying ability, but liked him as a man.

My reaction when I heard the news was a mixture of a deep sense of loss and great shock. It was just unbelievable – a word I was to hear so many times in the ensuing days.
When people die having passed their 3 score years and 10, we’re often inclined to say: ‘It’s very sad, but he/she had a good life, or a good innings.’ I cannot imagine anyone who actually knew Ray saying that about his death. Certainly he had a good life – but he was still enjoying it to the full. And, as for innings, Ray was still hitting every ball way over the boundary.

Ray was 77, although he didn’t look it - and wouldn’t thank me for reminding you - but I doubt if it ever occurred to any one of us that Ray wouldn’t be around for years yet. Ray went too soon - but what a wonderful legacy he’s left us, both in things we can only see in our memories and things we can actually see around us.

Ray will be remembered as the best display pilot the world has seen.
He’ll be remembered as the man who led the Red Arrows to new heights of excellence, and firmly established them on the world stage as the premier formation display team.
He’ll be remembered for those wonderful displays in his Spitfire which enthralled airshow crowds for more than three decades.
We’ll remember his ability to fly exceptionally low with safety and precision which invariably evoked rapturous applause during air shows.
And how, a few hours later, as the show drew to a close, the same spectators would watch in total silence, with tears in many an eye, as Ray in his Spitfire performed the most graceful aerial ballet against the setting sun.Those are memories, but

We’ll actually be able see part of the legacy Ray’s left us every time we see the Arrows displaying. Subsequent leaders freely admit that the premier position the team still holds today is largely due to the solid foundations he laid 40 years ago.
We’ll see his legacy in the countless pilots who were inspired to embark upon their careers by watching him fly.
The skill and absolute professionalism with which he approached his flying was the target for which other display pilots aimed and will continue to aim. He never pushed himself to the front but, when Ray spoke, other pilots listened; when he flew, other pilots watched – and learned.
Ray has gone, but he set the standard other pilots will continue to strive to achieve.
For many years to come, however good a talented display pilot is considered to be, the question will always be – ‘But is he as good as Ray Hanna?’During Ray’s life, the answer was always ‘No.’
He ended what transpired to be his last display season in the position he ended his first, 40 years ago – at the very top.

But Ray wasn’t only the best display pilot the world has seen - he was a good man.
He was a gentleman in every sense of the word; a man of fine personal qualities.
He was a kind man, caring of others and always ready to help if when he could.
If there was time, I could give you many examples. But there isn’t, and there’s no need – because you’ll each have your own memories of his great kindness.

Ray and Mark did a wonderful job building up the OFMC, but it’s just as well the objective wasn’t to make it some enormous business. Integrity can be a hindrance in the hard world of business and, apart from that, Ray was far too generous to be businessman.
He was a man of enormous integrity himself and was inclined to trust others. He sometimes found, to his cost, that others didn’t have the quite the same high standards. Like father like son in that, and so many other respects.

Ray was a strong man, with a steely resolve when it mattered.
Who else but someone with those qualities would, at the age of 21, work his passage on a boat from New Zealand in the hope of becoming a pilot in the RAF? A hope, no more - no guarantee that he’d be accepted.

That inner strength served him well when he had to cope with losing Mark. They had enormous, and entirely justified, pride and respect for each other. They worked closely together and Mark’s tragic death was a devastating blow. The courage and fortitude with which Ray, Eunice and Sarah coped with their private pain, and Ray returned to flying form, earned all our admiration.

Ray was a wonderful mixture -

Strength and great kindness
Steely resolve and gentleness
Professional pride in his approach to flying – yet unbelievably modest about his exceptional ability and great achievements.In many ways, the way Ray displayed aircraft reflected his personality -
He never showed off his own abilities; he always showed off to best advantage the capability of whatever aircraft he was displaying.

He was modest to a fault - never comfortable about accepting compliments.

· Ray was typically modest when interviewed about his outstanding leadership of the Arrows: “There are only three basic manoeuvres; the rest are just variations.”
Anyone would think it was by chance that under his leadership, the team achieved acclaim as the best formation display team in the world and became the public face of the Royal Air Force.
Fortunately, the RAF knew it wasn’t just by chance – he was awarded a Bar to the Air Force Cross he’d been awarded seven years earlier for outstanding feats of airmanship as a fighter pilot.

· Asked in a television documentary to comment upon his magnificent Spitfire displays: “Well, I don’t know, the displays I do now are basically the same as I did in the 1970s.”
Odd then how any display pilot, and many spectators, could tell if it was Ray displaying a Spitfire.

· And in the same programme, asked to describe a most impressive sequence while filming for a television series. Ray flew along a river and under a bridge: “Well, we had to check the clearances, horizontal and vertical, and remove a few boughs from some trees overhanging the river but, apart from that, nothing particularly remarkable.”
No, Ray, nothing remarkable at all. Anyone could have done it.

As I read all the wonderful tributes paid to Ray, I couldn’t help wonder what he would have said about them. I knew the answer; the same as he’d say about the compliments I’m paying him today. I’m sure we can all hear him saying – “What a load of old rubbish!”

Ray was great company.
We’re going to miss that wonderfully dry sense of humour - which sometimes caught out even those who knew him well.
Did he mean that?
And then, with perfect timing, those twinkling eyes and half-smile would reveal - of course he didn’t.
We’ll miss Ray’s company, but the truth is he’s gone to a better place …..

There are many mansions or dwelling-places in Heaven. We know that because Jesus told us. Just imagine the welcome for Ray in the one where the pilots live:
· Seeing Ray will be enough to make Stef Karwowski get off the heavenly equivalent of his mobile phone.
· ‘Hoof’ Proudfoot will have them aching with laughter in no time.
· And dear Mark will be so beside himself with happiness at seeing Father again that he’ll charmingly explain to a host of beautiful young lady angels that he really has to go.

Blue skies and puffy white clouds every day, fly to your heart’s content and, best of all for Ray - Fly as low as you want because Heaven doesn’t have a CAA.
Just imagine the reminiscing when they and other old friends get together. There’ll be happiness in Heaven today.

Well, Ray is gone …….


We can shed tears that he’s gone,
Or we can smile because Ray lived.
We can close our eyes and pray he’ll come back,
Or we can open our eyes and see the legacy he’s left.
Our hearts can be empty because we can’t now see him,
Or be full of the love that we all shared for him.
We can turn our backs on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or we can be happy for tomorrow, because of yesterday.
We can remember him and only that he’s gone,
Or we can cherish Ray’s memory and let it live on.
We can cry and close our minds, be empty at our loss,
Or we can do what Ray would want ...
Smile, Open our eyes, Love and Go on.








Tudor Owen

[Flying Lawyer]

Address at the Service of Thanksgiving

for the Life of


Squadron Leader Raynham Hanna AFC*

1928 – 2005


St Clement Danes Church, London

2nd March 2006





‘The best pilot of his generation, in the world.‘
‘The best display pilot, ever.’
‘He was my role model.’
‘I became a pilot after watching him fly.’
‘He was the Master.’
Such were the epithets which echoed around the aviation world when the sad news broke that aviation had lost one of its most respected pilots, and one of its most respected men.

Where did it all begin?

What has brought hundreds of us here today, to the Central Church of the Royal Air Force?

It all began with a teenager in a small town called Takapuna, just outside Auckland, who loved being taken by his parents to Auckland airfield to watch the aeroplanes through the fence. Ray’s dream was to fly and, after leaving Auckland Grammar School, he set about turning that dream into reality, learning to fly Tiger Moths and going solo in just over 8 hours.
In January 1949 at the age of 20, Ray worked his passage on a steamer from New Zealand in the hope of joining the RAF.

Having earned a modest promotion during the voyage, he arrived in England with additional funds. What was a young chap to do - with unexpected money in his pocket and all the delights of London on offer?
Go flying of course!
March and April 1949 saw Ray at Redhill using up what remained of his savings – and going solo in a Magister in 1½ hrs.

It was May 1950 before Ray began his flight training in the RAF. Despite not having flown for a year, he went solo in a Prentice in under 4 hours, and graduated to the Harvard a few months later. Many years later, Mark and I were to share a Harvard. Ray’s affection for that aircraft remained - despite the numerous more exciting and more exotic aircraft he’d flown in the intervening 35 years.
Earning his Wings before piston-engine fighters were superseded began a passion which was to last a life-time and give pleasure to literally millions later in his life.

Ray’s first operational posting to 79 Squadron at RAF Guttesloh was an extraordinary achievement for a pilot of then limited experience - flying the Meteor in the fighter reconnaissance role was one of the most demanding for a single-seat pilot. Ray loved it. Not only was he now authorised to indulge his passion for low flying – he was required to do it.
“Four years never above 100 feet, and usually lower", as he once fondly described it to me, enabled Ray to hone a skill which was to enthral spectators, and earn the respect of other pilots, for decades.


Ray was subsequently posted to the Overseas Ferry Unit at RAF Benson. He flew virtually all the early jet fighters, ferrying many of them to and from India and the Far East. The flights were not always uneventful: In October 1956, while returning a Vampire to Britain, the aircraft's engine failed over India. Ray made a skilful forced landing amongst a series of giant ant-hills close to a railway line. He waited for a passing train which eventually came, and stopped for him. One problem - the guard refused to let him board because he was unable to pay the fare. Ray offered his watch as payment, the guard scribbled out an IOU and he was allowed to travel.Ray's log books contain a virtual history of the RAF over two decades: Tiger Moth, Auster, Prentice, Harvard, Chipmunk, Provost, Balliol, Tempest, Sea Fury, Oxford, Anson, Devon, Beaufighter, Hastings, Jet Provost, Vampire, Venom, Attacker, Sea Hawk, Hunter, Swift, Javelin, Canberra and, of course, the Gnat.
You’ll be relieved to hear I’m not going to go through every type. It would take too long. For most of us, it’s an honour to be invited to fly someone else’s aircraft – owners regarded it as an honour if Ray Hanna flew their aircraft.

Ray’s posting to Benson did more than allow him to fly a wide variety of types - it gave him the opportunity meet someone very special: the young lady Royal Navy officer who was to be his loving and loyal wife, and greatest supporter, for 48 years.
Going through Ray’s logbooks – what a fascinating read - I noticed a civvy entry for May 1st 1961 which was a very special flight. Passengers: EH & MH. Eunice & Mark - then aged 18 months!

Ray was already an outstanding fighter pilot with noted aerobatics talent and considerable experience in squadron formation teams, when an official Royal Air Force aerobatics display team was formed in 1965. The ‘Black Arrows’ of Treble One and the ‘Blue Diamonds’ of 92 Squadron had been particularly successful but, with the loss of fighter squadrons because of budget constraints – plus ça change - Central Flying School where Ray was then a QFI was asked to provide an official full-time team: The Red Arrows were born.
He was an obvious choice for the team and, within a year, was made Leader.

Ray epitomised the qualities required to lead a group of brilliant fighter pilots. An experienced fighter pilot himself, his outstanding flying skill, determination, modest authority and professionalism proved an inspiration to his colleagues. He earned the respect and total confidence of his team.
Dickie Duckett, who's here today, flew under Ray in those early days and led the team himself a decade later. He says: “Ray had an instinctive feel for display flying. His exceptional flying ability and air of calm confidence inspired us to follow him without question. We had complete trust in him.”Ian Dick, another Leader here today, who originally flew as a member of Ray’s team says: 'He was my hero, my role model. He was simply the best.' The team didn't only have enormous respect for him as a pilot and as their Leader, flying in Ray's team was enjoyable.Henry Prince, who's here today, was a member of the team in its first three years and led the the synchro pair. He recalls two new members joining at the beginning of 1966, during the shake down period in readiness for the season - Doug McGregor and the late Frank Hoare who led the team himself in later years. They were taken to the pan to watch Ray air test a Gnat.
He took off from the very end of Fairford’s long runway and, as was possible if the Gnat was light and without slipper tanks, was airborne with the gear up half way along the runway. Ray banked left through the pan, did a wing-over and came back to do a tight turn between the hangars before departing for the short air test and then returning to do a low level ‘beat-up’ before landing.
The new members' faces were incredulous by then - but their eyes were positively out on stalks when Ray got out and warned them in feigned seriousness (and to the amusement of the old hands) “Now, I don’t ever want to see you flying lower than that!”

But Ray’s mastery of the display pilot’s art went far beyond his legendary handling skills; he knew how to display. His leadership brought a style and panache into displays which took the Red Arrows to new heights of excellence which earned worldwide acclaim.Raymond Baxter, WWII Spitfire pilot and distinguished broadcaster, whom I see here today, put it so well when we were chatting a few weeks ago: “Ray brought a new element of spectacle and artistry to display aerobatics.”Ray's approach changed formation display flying for ever:
· His formations were tighter: Distance between the aircraft varying between 10 and 4 feet, depending upon the manoeuvre being flown. The formation flew as if it was one big aircraft.
· The highlights of previous and contemporary formation aerobatics displays, here and abroad, were achieved at the expense of intervals of empty sky while the team repositioned. Ray’s underlying philosophy was that each manoeuvre should flow seamlessly into the next or, as he often told his team: ‘If the crowd have time to lick their ice creams, we aren’t doing our job properly!”

It worked. The transformation wasn’t gradual - the Red Arrows almost instantly became a star attraction across the world.
The Team was originally a 7-ship, but Ray was eventually given two more aircraft and the ‘Diamond 9’ remains the team’s ‘signature’ formation – and eventually became the Squadron badge.

There was the occasional brush with higher authority who felt some manoeuvres were a little too punchy - but Ray stood his ground well, and usually persuaded the Air Marshals that they were carefully designed to look exciting but were actually quite safe.


Ray pushed to the limits, but never over them – although he was sometimes on them:In 1967, at Rimini, Ray set off with Red 2 ‘Dinger’ Bell (again, who’s here today) to do a recce of the airfield in readiness for the display. Henry Prince and his synchro pair partner went with them to choose their reference points. At the end of their practice, the four did a Cascade Break and flew very low over what was to be the VIP enclosure for the display. As they pulled up to regain formation, Ray signalled to Dinger Bell that his radio was u/s. Closer inspection showed a gash in the alternator bulge under the fuselage. When they landed, it was obvious that Ray had hit something, but repairs were made in readiness for the next day.
At the following evening’s traditionally wonderful pilots' party, after the Arrows were awarded their gold medals of thanks, the Colonel who was leader of the Freccia Tricolore announced that he had a special award for ‘Maggiore Hanna.’
He presented, mounted on a plinth, the top of a tall whip aerial that Ray had taken off one of the vehicles the previous day!
It remains in his study at home in Parham to this day.
Those were the days - official limit 50 feet. Unofficial (and actual) limit 10 feet!

Such was the team's impact that, as early as 1967, a commentator at an air show introduced them as ‘The Red Arrows – the best aerobatic team in the world.’ Nothing remarkable about that, you may think – but it was the commentator at a French air show!

Ray served a record four years as ‘Red One’. In recognition of his exceptional leadership of what quickly became (and is today) the public face of the RAF, he was awarded a Bar to the Air Force Cross he had been awarded seven years earlier for outstanding airmanship as a fighter pilot.

Furthermore, under Ray’s leadership, the team was such a success that the Red Arrows display team was made a Squadron in its own right, no longer a unit of Central Flying School.
You may think the Red Arrows Squadron motto ‘Eclat’ (conspicuously brilliant) could not be used more appropriately than to describe Ray’s skills and professionalism.

In 1969, after conspicuous success leading the Arrows, the outstanding pilot was, for reasons only understood by those who inhabit the inscrutable world of postings and rostering, posted to a Staff job.

Ray tried but, for a man born to fly, a desk job was unbearable. He resigned.


Continued below

[Flying Lawyer]

1972 saw the start of a new career in civil aviation - initially flying a Boeing 707 for several months with Lloyd International. Two of his crew from those days have come today to pay their respects.
After seven years as a Captain with Cathay Pacific, Ray became Chief Pilot of a diplomatic organisation with world-wide operations, where he remained until retirement.

Tributes from pilots all over the world who remember Ray from different stages of his long and varied flying career flowed in to ‘PPRuNe’, the professional pilots’ website, from the moment Ray’s death was announced.
A pilot who was a First Officer at Cathay Pacific when Ray was a Captain wrote “He flew airliners with the same finesse and professionalism as he flew jet fighters.”Another wrote “I was always pleased when the roster showed Ray was captain – I knew it would be fun.”It seems that everyone who ever met Ray not only had enormous respect for his exceptional flying ability, but liked him and respected him as a man.

Ray’s Red Arrows years were only the beginning of his enormous contribution to British display flying. For three more decades, he commanded universal respect in the civilian airshow world, not only in this country but internationally.

In 1970, he was invited by Sir Adrian Swire, who read the Lesson, to display MH434 - the famous Mk IX Spitfire which Ray later acquired. It was the beginning of a long relationship between man and machine which will remain for ever in the memories of Ray’s myriad admirers.



Ray was an outstandingly talented pilot who never showed off his own ability; he always showed off the capabilities of which ever aircraft he displayed. Alex Henshaw MBE, Chief Production Test Pilot at Supermarine’s largest wartime Spitfire factory, who’s here today, told me only a few weeks ago: “Of all the displays I’ve seen since the war, and I’ve seen many, no other pilot had Ray’s ability to demonstrate precisely what the Spitfire was designed to do.”

In 1976, Ray taught Mark to fly, aged 16. Father and son enjoyed a mutual, and entirely justified, respect and pride. Ray’s obvious delight when Mark earned his Wings is still vividly remembered by those rehearsing for the graduation parade. They were treated to a spectacular demonstration of flying skill:The distinctive sound of a Merlin engine was quickly followed by a Spitfire appearing at an impressive angle of bank from around a hanger, and ‘slaloming’ at speed through the dispersal floodlight pylons - before making an extremely low pass in front of the hangars.
Unthinkable these days, sadly, but it was executed with Ray’s characteristic precision and safety – away from public view – and those watching were thrilled.
Their enjoyment of the occasion was complete when Ray got out of the cockpit wearing a smart shirt, tie and waistcoat, unfolded his suit jacket and walked off to the Officers Mess a picture of sartorial elegance.
All pilots were assembled the next morning to be warned by the OC(Ops), in no uncertain terms, that they were not to attempt to emulate Squadron Leader Hanna in their Jet Provosts!In 1981, Ray formed the Old Flying Machine Company with Mark - by then a Phantom pilot - restoring and operating WWII warbirds at Duxford. Mark was already an experienced and exceptionally talented display pilot and the OFMC became so busy that Mark later resigned from the RAF to run the company full time.
In later years they were joined by Sarah. Someone had to actually run the company – her father and brother were far more interested in flying.

Their stunning performances on the international display circuit led to their being in regular demand by film-makers. Breathtaking flying sequences in Empire of the Sun (1987) and Memphis Belle (1989) led to numerous film credits, and to Stephen Spielberg insisting their services be engaged for his film Saving Private Ryan (1998).

Mark’s tragic death in 1999, in a landing accident which Ray witnessed, was a devastating blow. The public courage and fortitude with which he coped with his private pain, and gradually returned to his flying form to continue the project they began, earned him widespread admiration.

Ray was a gentleman; impeccably courteous, of absolute integrity and unfailingly loyal to his friends.
His dry sense of humour occasionally caught out even those who knew him well.
Did he really mean that? Then, with perfect timing, his twinkling eyes and half smile revealed – of course he didn’t.
He wasn’t afraid to stand his ground when necessary and, although never impolite, wasn’t afraid to be blunt when occasion demanded - the latter often not unrelated to his profound dislike of bureaucracy!

Famously approachable, Ray remained totally unaffected by the immense esteem in which he was held.
Although intolerant of all but the highest standards, he was a kind man who willingly gave his time to advise the less experienced and encourage aspiring pilots achieve their ambition.
Countless pilots who never actually met him were inspired to fly by seeing his displays as youngsters.
Ray was modest to a fault, never entirely comfortable about accepting compliments:
He was typically modest when interviewed about his outstanding leadership of the Arrows: “There are only three basic manoeuvres; the rest are just variations.”
Anyone would think it was just by chance that, under his leadership, the team achieved acclaim as the best formation display team in the world and became the public face of the RAF.Asked in a television documentary to comment upon his magnificent Spitfire displays: “Well, I don’t know, the displays I do now are basically the same as I did in the 1970s.”
Odd then how any display pilot, and many spectators, could tell if it was Ray displaying a Spitfire. And in the same interview, asked to describe a most impressive sequence while filming for the television series ‘Piece of Cake’ in which Ray flew the Spitfire along a river and under a bridge: “Well, we had to check the clearances, horizontal and vertical, and remove a few boughs from some trees overhanging the river but, apart from that, nothing particularly remarkable.”
No, Ray, nothing remarkable at all. Anyone could have done it.We’re going to miss Ray and so, in a different way, will many who never met him. Ray touched the lives of literally millions of people – because his outstanding talent gave so much pleasure to so many over some 40 years.
Ray was 77, although he didn’t look it – and wouldn’t thank me for reminding you – but I doubt if it ever occurred to any one of us that Ray wouldn’t be around for years yet.


He went too soon, but what a wonderful legacy he’s left us, both in things we can only see in our memories and things we can actually see around us: Ray will be remembered by everyone as one of the best display pilots the world has seen and, by most, as the best - ‘The Master’He’ll be remembered as the man who led the Red Arrows to new heights of excellence, and firmly established them on the world stage as the premier formation display team.He’ll be remembered for those wonderful displays in his Spitfire which enthralled air show crowds for more than three decades.We’ll remember his ability to fly exceptionally low with safety and precision which invariably evoked rapturous applause during air shows. And how, a few hours later, as the show drew to a close, the same spectators would watch in total silence, with tears in many an eye, as Ray in his Spitfire performed the most graceful aerial ballet against the setting sun.Those are memories, but …..

We’ll actually be able see the legacy Ray’s left every time we enjoy the Arrows display. Today’s displays still conform to the template Ray developed, and subsequent leaders freely admit that the premier position the team still holds is largely due to the solid foundation he laid 40 years ago. We’ll be able to see his legacy in the countless pilots who were inspired to embark upon their careers by watching him fly. The skill and absolute professionalism with which he approached his flying was the target for which other pilots aimed. He never pushed himself to the front but, when Ray spoke, other pilots listened; when he flew, other pilots watched. And they learned. Ray has gone, but the standard he set remains the standard which other display pilots will continue to strive to achieve.For many years to come, however good a talented display pilot is considered to be, the question will always be – ‘Yes, but is he as good as Ray Hanna?’During his life, the answer was always ‘No.’
Ray ended what turned out to be his last season in the position he ended his first, 40 years ago – at the very top.
No mean feat, to remain at the peak of a young man’s pursuit while still display flying at the age of 77.


What has brought hundreds of us here today?

As I look around the Church, I see Lords of the Land, Knights of the Realm, former and serving RAF officers of all ranks up to Air Chief Marshal, current and former Red Arrows pilots and ground-crew, the Shadow Minister for Defence, the New Zealand Air Attaché and representatives of other governments, representatives of the Royal Aeronautical Society, past Masters and the Master-Elect of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, eminent pilots from military and civil aviation.

Who would have thought that, one day, so many distinguished people - and hundreds of people like myself, just ordinary aviators - would gather to pay their respects and to give thanks to God for the life of that youngster who looked longingly through the fence at Auckland airport and dreamed of being a pilot.

But he was no ordinary youngster – he was Ray Hanna.





I apologise sincerely for not posting the tributes sooner, having promised many Ppruners that I'd do so.
I hope the timing - while people are looking at this thread again on the first anniversary of Ray's death - makes up a little for that.


Tudor Owen


http://www.pprune.org/forums/images/misc/progress.gif

[G-KEST]

Thanks Tudor for the opportunity to read your wonderfully crafted tributes to Ray. He was indeed a fine man and a superb pilot.
Sincerely,
Trapper 69

[slackie]

FL - thank you for posting your address...I have waited patiently...and the wait was worth it!

A year on I have re-read the entire thread - all 12 pages. A moving tribute indeed.

While Warbirds Over Wanaka '06 was once again an outstanding airshow, I for one certainly missed Ray in the Spitfire.

"If you're below the level of the Goldpass stand you're too low!" - funny how Ray never seemed to hear that line in the pilots' brief!!

Wonderful memories that I'll treasure!

S

[M14_P]

We won't forget him. The only thing to be at least positive about, is the two pairs of utterly capable hands that have carried on for him, Lee and Nigel.
Thought I'd share the last (and first time) that I met him - a week before Warbirds Over Wanaka '04, all of the guys except Lee, were there, crap wx, so went down to the pub for lunch. I got invited and it was definately worth it. One could look around, and the number of zeros that would add all the flying time, and different a/c types between these guys.....well you couldn't add it together, overwhelming. Ray somehow stood out from the other guys, he was someone very special, with a certain passion to flying but more importantly, to the Spitfire and I guess everyone would agree so were his displays. The aeroplane language he'd put through the controls in MH434 or Tim's, or which one it was for the day, you knew he was flying it and not someone else.
Another tribute, or form of a tribute, if you like, is a VHS production called MH434: a Spitfire's story. It is full of very captivating and enlightening interviews with Ray and Mark, produced in 1996. I could be wrong but even now, it has the feel of being a tribute, not only to that aeroplane, but more importantly, to Ray and Mark.

will never forget.

[airgage]

...and a while on a Spitfire didn't forget and flew over Parham this week.

Good call.

[halfpenny25]

BIRTHDAY REMEMBRANCE


to RAY
NEVER Forgotten......... ALWAYS There.......

[halfpenny25]

In memory of RAY two years on .....


A Star still shining brightly ......


FOREVER


R.I.P.

[Flying Lawyer]

These photographs of Ray in action were sent to me recently by Tony Bailey who took them at the Goodwood Revival Press Day in 2003.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/spit1.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/spit1a.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/spit2.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v140/Rotorheads/spit3.jpg



Gone, but not forgotten.

[merlinxx]

RIP Ray, gone but never forgotten.

I remember when MH434 was being reassembled in our hangar (BEA Airtours) at LGW. Got to be re-acquainted with Ray as I'd first met at Biggin when we hosted the team in our hospitality tent (BUA). The guys would always visit when in the LGW area.

When he air tested 434 I watched from our car park abeam the runway, if that was an air test, well a full display practice was more like it. ATC let him rip as very little traffic.

Later knew Ray when he was with Jet Aviation, a really great chap to work with and know.


P.O. John G. Magee's "High Flight" always came to mind when watching Ray fly. A true great of greats.

[halfpenny25]

FL, Thankyou so much for sharing those wonderful 'photos of Ray 'THE MASTER' at Goodwood, in his beloved Spitfire, can almost hear the Merlin engine flying low & close to the flagposts, stunning flying as always. Revival memories .... so missed ..........



but thank you Alistair & Lee for continuing the amazing displays, MH434 & 'Ferocious Frankie' live!

[alexis_lambert]

FL, are you going to write his biography? Think that's one that definately needs to be done!

[Mike7777777]

Hanna in amongst the trees :). I was fortunate to be somewhere near Parham this time last year, a Merlin could be heard in the distance, I immediately headed for open ground, Spitfire flew overhead followed by a victory roll (the Spit, not me). Has the moment passed for this year?

[WG774]

These photographs of Ray in action were sent to me recently by Tony Bailey who took them at the Goodwood Revival Press Day in 2003.

Pure class! Exactly the kind of memories I have of Sqd Ldr Hanna :D

[halfpenny25]

For Ray

Have just completed a 'wing-walk' to commemorate this special day for a special man and exceptional pilot.

( feel Ray would be highly amused !! ) ....... and the sun shone ..



from a wind blown hp25 !

[merlinxx]

Great man, it was an honor to have known & worked with him. Never to be forgotten,
when I introduced a girlfriend to Ray in GVA at the first EBAS, she lost sight of me, and it cost me more than a couple of beers!

Sqdn Ldr/Capt Hanna, your legend lives on in all our hearts.

[halfpenny25]

In memory of Ray three years on ........



Remembered Forever ..........



R.I.P.

[Flying Lawyer]

Spitfire under the bridge (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU&fmt=18
)

[Rionart]

Rest in peace Ray.

[mustpost]

With respect, updated youtube links?..

YouTube - Spitfire under bridge (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Xf3UtmHLKUU)

[JEM60]

Never forgotten and always talked about by us photographers at the motorway end at Duxford!!.

[astrid340]

Plus de 3 ans déjà que tu nous manques, Ray!

I try in English :

...3 years & 3 days already you are heading towards the stars***
(of course with unending barrels and loops...)
we keep you forever in our minds & hearts, Ray!

Found this on YouTube


0oNIG40dUZY