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!

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

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

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 ....

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

Ray and Mark Hanna
 

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




Threads merged - link deleted

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.

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

Daily Telegraph obituary of Ray Hanna.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.../05/db0501.xml

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/v1...emaster_BH.jpg
Fast and low at Biggin Hill

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.

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 !!!!!!!!!

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

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.

" 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

Sept 3rd 1989
 

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.

Jul 28 1967
 

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.

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

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

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?

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!

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

Thank you and Mark.

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.

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

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/v1...iefing_atb.jpg

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

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]

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

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

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.

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.

A great man and a sad loss
 

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.

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.

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

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.)