Happy birthday to Mark and Ray Hanna for August
 

Both remarkable, wonderful men! Still missed and a great month to be born if I do say so myself!

Second all of the above! :ok:

Thirded. Never had the honour of meeting Ray but had the pleasure of going through OCTU with Mark.

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 :O

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 :ok: (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.

I wonder how many people were inspired to learn to fly after watching Ray and MH434 ?

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 :)

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.

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Sqn Ldr Ray Hanna AFC*
28th August 1928 - 1st December 2005

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/p...m/64308926.jpg
Click on the picture to see a bigger image.

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.

pics
 

Imagine how cool it would have been to fly under the bridge! Impressive pics thanks for sharing :)

Squadron Leader Ray Hanna AFC* 28-08-1928 - 01-12-2005
 

IN MEMORY...

6 years ......

Ray ... you will never be forgotten ..

St Mary's Church, Parham, Suffolk.

Click on the pictures to see larger images.


http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/p...l/63093121.jpg

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

Mark’s reads:


FL

FL,

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.

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!

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

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:)

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...y/Image2-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ley/Image1.jpg