Red Arrows 67-68, best boss I ever had.

So many memories.

ericferret, I just had to join this fine forum in order to respond to your post from a while ago as it could almost have been written by me! I still have my 'Guest' passes from two airshows at Tollerton, a blue 'John Howitt International Air Rally and Formula 1 Race Meeting' one, and the next years 'The Second...etc' in red. Sadly they don't say which year but I think you are about right, so I was 7 or 8. I too remember some fella in a Spitfire who was pretty much mowing the grass with it, and my dad saying "That's Ray Hanna that is..." As you say, the first pilot I knew the name of, and from that day I've been a fan of both Ray and 434 ever since. Thanks for the trip down memory lane ericferret. P.S. My dad worked at Howitts the Printers for many years, the Nottingham based company who sponsored at least 2 airshows there I guess.

Ray Hanna's best friend from his boyhood years is still very much alive and kicking. Geoff White and Ray Hanna grew up together, attended the same schools in Auckland, and were in the same Air Training Corps squadron in Auckland during their early teens. After they left school, both of them applied to enlist in the RNZAF as pilots on a five-year short service commission. Geoff was accepted, but Ray was rejected. However, Ray enlisted in the RAF instead (back when one could do that in the Dominions) and after undertaking his basic training with the RNZAF, ended up serving in the RAF for many years.


In the meantime, Geoff White obtained his wings with the RNZAF and became a transport pilot flying C-47 transports. In 1952 he was sent to England to convert onto Bristol B.170 Freighters, then delivered the second of twelve ordered by the RNZAF to New Zealand. Not long after that, his five-year short service commission was up and Geoff was offered the chance to re-enlist, but Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (TEAL) were hiring pilots at the time, so he joined the airline industry. Throughout his airline career with TEAL, then Air New Zealand, Geoff flew Short S.45A flying-boats, Douglas DC-6s, Lockheed L.188 Electras, Douglas DC-8-52s and McDonnell-Douglas DC-10-30s. So he progressed from four-engined flying-boats all the way to wide-body jets throughout his airline career. Geoff is now in his late-80s and living in Albany on the NSW-Victoria border in Australia. His son is a close friend of mine.

Hi Littleman

I was at the show as guest of a school friend who's father (Alan Burton) was a flying instructor at the Sherwood Flying club. Part of the day after the show was my first ever flight in G-AVLE a Piper Cherokee. During the show a German Starfighter put in a fine effort which resulted in an irate phone call to the club being answered by Alans wife. When the caller demanded to know if it was one of their aircraft making the noise she replied "I wish it was" before putting the phone down.

We were from Hucknall and the recent loss of that airfield leaves me feeling like an orphan. The amount of time we spent round there as kids!!! Did all this aviation activity as a child lead anywhere? I became an army apprentice aircraft technician at 16 and went on to the airlines and various helicopter operators as a licensed engineer. I am now looking at the back end of a career stretching back over 40 years. Not finished just yet. I note that AVLE is still registered although not flying.

I have also remembered that Silk Engineering had a couple of their Silk Scott motorcycles on display at the show that means that it had to be 71 or 72. Unlikely to be 72 as that was my O level year and I was in the army by September.

Nice that we both have a shared memory of a great day and fine pilot.

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

1st December 2016 ... Another year Ray ...

R.I.P.

Strange how some things trigger wonderful memories from good times?
Saw an Argosy the other day and smiled at the memory that flashed through my mind.

Bitteswell 68, standing at the top of an Argosy loading ramp.
Heard a commotion outside, looked out in time to see a flash of red pass under the twin tail booms.
The earth shook, or at least the Argosy did!
Yes it was Ray at his best, they dont make them like that any more.
RIP

Squadron Leader Ray Hanna AFC*
 

Birthday Remembrance.. 28th August 2017...


Always

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

R.I.P. Ray

1st December 2017

Ray's boyhood friend, Geoff White, celebrated his 90th birthday on 27th September.


The ex-TEAL/Air New Zealand captain lost his wife last year, but he is still going strong.

Just realised that Ray was born on the very same day as my late father's younger sister was....... 28th of the Eighth of 28..!!

Back in 2016 we visited Ray and son Mark's graves in Parham. I was really upset at hearing of Mark's death, Ray's came like a kick in the ribs. We had enjoyed watching them at near our home at Hatfield whilst filming for Saving Private Ryan was underway. As they departed for the last time, I still recall hearing Mark over RT asking if Mr. Spielberg would like a picture of their Mustangs.

Squadron Leader Ray Hanna AFC*