Sqdn Ldr Ray Hanna AFC*
Happy birthday to Mark and Ray Hanna for August
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OCTU
wow that's very cool you did your OCTU with Mark, special to meet high calibre people in the same circles.....he was a gentleman with a lovely manner and sense of humour. I'll always remember his amazing flying ability at airshows, still have the program Mark signed for me Jan 99 at the Masterton airshow in NZ 
Last edited by Tropicalbirdy; 1st Dec 2011 at 07:40. Reason: to finetune
Gentlemen both - fondly remembered
I met Ray at Duxford in 2000 & found him a very approachable & wonderful person, 100% genuine, honest & friendly, I never had the pleasure to meet Mark unfortunately.
When I took my GFT at Southend on 3 Sept' 1989 MH434 did a wonderful run & break just after I landed which has been an inspiration to me ever since - priceless, I'm not sure who was flying MH434 that day but I hope it was Mark or Ray
(I passed my GFT too which was a bonus but I was happy enough anyway to see the fantastic run & break - BRILLIANT)
I visited Mark & Rays graves last year which was very poignant & I do admit brought a tear to my eye - two of kind, wonderful wonderful guys, sadly missed but never ever forgotten.
When I took my GFT at Southend on 3 Sept' 1989 MH434 did a wonderful run & break just after I landed which has been an inspiration to me ever since - priceless, I'm not sure who was flying MH434 that day but I hope it was Mark or Ray
(I passed my GFT too which was a bonus but I was happy enough anyway to see the fantastic run & break - BRILLIANT)I visited Mark & Rays graves last year which was very poignant & I do admit brought a tear to my eye - two of kind, wonderful wonderful guys, sadly missed but never ever forgotten.
Last edited by old-timer; 30th Aug 2011 at 09:24. Reason: typo
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How wonderful to see MH434 in action, I have the DVD released by the Hanna's and have watched it quite a few times. Well done on passing your GFT too 
That was special you visited their resting places, I'd probably need a few tissues myself - wonderful men, I guess some people show us this is how to live your life
That was special you visited their resting places, I'd probably need a few tissues myself - wonderful men, I guess some people show us this is how to live your life
MH434
I wish I could have seen Ray & Mark in action at one of the Wanaka shows, I got there in 2000 but it was a month before the show & I had to come home before sadly.
Like you say, they are an inspiration in how to live well & honourably - plus have fun too.
Like you say, they are an inspiration in how to live well & honourably - plus have fun too.
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We will never forget him - a flying legend and even more so now!
I first met Ray in 1966 at Kemble when he was leader of the Red Arrows. I was a mere 16-year old ATC cadet and he always had time for me, presenting me with the latest publicity material on each visit. He never forgot me, every time I met him at air shows right up until his final departure. A true inspiration of mankind.
I first met Ray in 1966 at Kemble when he was leader of the Red Arrows. I was a mere 16-year old ATC cadet and he always had time for me, presenting me with the latest publicity material on each visit. He never forgot me, every time I met him at air shows right up until his final departure. A true inspiration of mankind.
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St Mary's Church, Parham, Suffolk.
Click on the pictures to see larger images.
The headstones are carved from Welsh slate in the distinctive shape everyone here will recognise. Around the edge of each (not visible in the pics) are lines from the final verse of I Think Continually Of Those Who Were Truly Great by Stephen Spender
Ray’s inscription reads:
Mark’s reads:
FL
Click on the pictures to see larger images.
The headstones are carved from Welsh slate in the distinctive shape everyone here will recognise. Around the edge of each (not visible in the pics) are lines from the final verse of I Think Continually Of Those Who Were Truly Great by Stephen Spender
Ray’s inscription reads:
See how these names are feted by the waving grass
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky
And by the streamers of white cloud
And whispers of wind in the listening sky
Mark’s reads:
Born of the sun they travelled a short while towards the sun,
And left the vivid air signed with their honour
And left the vivid air signed with their honour
FL
FL,
Is that a real picture of the bridge flight or is it Photoshopped? The flight path looks wrong.
Simon
Is that a real picture of the bridge flight or is it Photoshopped? The flight path looks wrong.
Simon
Ray & Mark
Thank you for sharing those photos FL, I visited Parham & paid my respects to Ray & Mark but it was before Rays headstone was placed.
God speed Ray & Mark - a flight of two gracing the heavens for eternity, irreplaceable & unforgettable - the best of the best in every respect.
Forever missed - never forgotten.
God speed Ray & Mark - a flight of two gracing the heavens for eternity, irreplaceable & unforgettable - the best of the best in every respect.
Forever missed - never forgotten.
India Four Two. It's a real pic, it's a still taken during a film about Polish airmen in the RAF in WW2 I think (corrections please). After much persuasion the CAA allowed the flight under the bridge under close supervision of course!
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The bridge scene was from the TV series "Piece of Cake" in 1988 and I think the bridge was near Barnard Castle...
Edit: it was Winston Bridge near Barnard Castle - see Winston Bridge
Edit: it was Winston Bridge near Barnard Castle - see Winston Bridge
Last edited by CharlieOneSix; 4th Jan 2012 at 15:56.
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Mark and Ray
Thank you for sharing this....it's something very special to see and how befitting the words are for these two very wonderful special gentleman.
It was a true honour to meet them, I still hold dear the program that Mark signed in January 99 when I met him at 'Wings Over Wairarapa' - will never forget his flying or manner
Always remembered and cherished
It was a true honour to meet them, I still hold dear the program that Mark signed in January 99 when I met him at 'Wings Over Wairarapa' - will never forget his flying or manner
Always remembered and cherished
LowNSlow and CharlieOneSix,
I should have been more specific with my question. I've seen "Piece of Cake" and the YouTube videos. I was querying the specific photo that FL posted, which is inconsistent with the video and the other stills I've seen.
The flightpath looks wrong and the "reflections" of the Spitfire and the bridge are very suspect. I'm convinced it was Photoshopped.
Simon
I should have been more specific with my question. I've seen "Piece of Cake" and the YouTube videos. I was querying the specific photo that FL posted, which is inconsistent with the video and the other stills I've seen.
The flightpath looks wrong and the "reflections" of the Spitfire and the bridge are very suspect. I'm convinced it was Photoshopped.
Simon
