Sqdn Ldr Ray Hanna AFC*
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Thanks for the memories Ray
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.
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.
Farewell to one of aviation's greatest
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...918199,00.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.
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.
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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...:
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...:
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
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
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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............
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............
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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.
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
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.
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
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Pictures of Ray Hanna in action
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
Threads merged - link deleted
Last edited by Heliport; 9th Mar 2006 at 16:26.
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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.
Threads merged - link deleted
We don't get to see anything this good in the US.
Threads merged - link deleted
Last edited by Heliport; 9th Mar 2006 at 16:28.
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Stunning pictures Mike51
Your 2004 shot really does capture Ray in his own inimitable style.
Threads merged - link deleted
Your 2004 shot really does capture Ray in his own inimitable style.
Threads merged - link deleted
Last edited by Heliport; 9th Mar 2006 at 16:47.
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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
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
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The Red Arrows - Ray Hanna
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
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
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Good for MOD and the Reds.
This thread seems a suitable place to repeat the image from the BBC site's story.
<Thanks for adding the extra (and moving) pic, Mods.>
This thread seems a suitable place to repeat the image from the BBC site's story.
<Thanks for adding the extra (and moving) pic, Mods.>
Last edited by BossEyed; 15th Dec 2005 at 21:57.
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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!
The end of an era - airshows just became a far more sanitised activity.
Thank-you for the memories Ray!