Ray Hannah Reds Tribute
 

Nice story on the BBC website regarding the tribute to Ray Hannah.

Does anyone have a link?

The story can be found here,

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/suffolk/4532334.stm

RIP

ppf :(

Red Arrows in tribute to founder

The Red Arrows have flown over a funeral in tribute to one of the pilots who made them famous.
Five jets swooped low as New Zealander Ray Hanna, who helped to develop the display team in the 1960s, was buried near his home in Parham, Suffolk.

Squadron Leader Hanna died earlier this month aged 77.

On Thursday, a Spitfire joined the flypast to mark Mr Hanna's work as an airshow display pilot following his retirement from the RAF.

"He was a key figure in the history of Red Arrows," said a spokeswoman for the team.

"He was the leader of the team when it became famous in the late 1960s and one of our greatest pilots."

She added: "Under his leadership, the team flew for the first time as a nine-ship formation and received worldwide acclaim for their dynamic precision formation flying."

Mr Hanna was a founder member of the Red Arrows in 1965 and led the team during its formative years between 1966 and 1969.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...anna203_pa.jpg

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image..._flypastss.jpg

Dear all,

Just had some very sad news from someone close to me, on top of the loss of Ray. I have some serious regrets about them and Ray...

Biggin Hill at various shows - Ray, the master, in Spitfire MH434. Who could ask for more?

Bless you Ray for the pleasure that your displays gave to me and to so many. I never met you, but saw you fly frequently over the last three decades. Never disappointed. Wish I could have shared that with you over a beer or few.

Treadders

What a fabulous set of photos of the Master!

Keep them coming, and how about some videos?

Treadders

How come he (seemed to) prefer canopy open in the Spit?

Did CAA ever give him any grief...he seems to have spent more than his fair share of time spontaneously arriving around light poles and hangars...and reporters?;)

Who's the young chap with the model in the picture below? :}

Like many great artists, it's difficult to believe he's gone. If Spitfire MH434 was a Stradivarius, Ray was as good as Paganini.

But, as ever, he's going up...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...434_50th2x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...434_50th3x.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...434_50th5x.jpg

(MH434's 50th birthday party, 1994)

Thanks for the memories.

I have been asked to post a few words about Ray's funeral last Thursday, and I know that his family will be touched by your interest in this farewell to him.

The funeral took place in a small, beautiful church in the quiet Suffolk village that had been Ray's home for many years. It was attended by his family and close friends; from his village and from New Zealand, from today's air display community and his old Red Arrows team mates, from Cathay Pacific and all of Ray's other walks of life. One of the other Spitfire legends, Alex Henshaw, also came to pay his respects.

The service and hymns were very traditional and appropriate. Nigel Lamb read a passage from the Bible and Ray's daughter, Sarah, read a poem that epitomised my memories of Ray's character.

Tudor Owen (Flying Lawyer) eloquently gave an address that described Ray's life as a pilot, a husband, a father and simply as a great man; many aspects of this address have already been included in posts on this thread. It was a service that, whilst tinged with much sadness, was a true celebration of his life with a great tribute to Ray.

The coffin was carried from the church and up the gentle slope of the churchyard, followed by a procession of the mourners. Uncannily, a rainbow then appeared in the thin cirrus cloud layer high in the crisp, clear blue sky. As the coffin was lowered into a grave alongside that of Ray's son, Mark, the Red Arrows flew past in a 5-ship vic formation. This was followed by a final tribute, a low pass over the grave by the aircraft that had become synonymous with Ray, Spitfire MH434, flown by his former Breitling Fighters wingman, Lee Proudfoot.

Ray's family and friends then made the short walk to his home which overlooks the church and Ray and Mark's graves. Many stories were told of the wonderful times that we had all spent with him. For me, it was a day of sadness but one which made me realise what a great privilege it had been to have been able to fly with someone who will always be respected as probably the greatest display pilot that any us will ever know.

Ray, we will never forget you or what you gave to us all. Thank you.

I have also put a personal report of the funeral on the Rumours and News thread.

LOMCEVAK..... Thank YOU , Sir .

RIP Ray, and thank you.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...ayWanakaPP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...5/434duxPP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...34bigginPP.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...Biigin04PP.jpg

Chimbu chuckles Sqd Ldr Jock Maitland - organiser of the Biggin Hill Air Fair for many years.
The Red Arrows gave their first public performance at the Biggin Hill airshow in 1965 and have appeared there most, or possibly all, years since.


Another picture showing Ray's famous precision at low level which always thrilled the Biggin crowds -

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d9...n/434_Hawk.jpg

Sad times indeed.

Over the past few weeks we have seen Ray Hanna and Dizzy Addicott and pass away.


God bless.


Threads merged - link deleted

LOMCEVAK WROTE:

For me, it was a day of sadness but one which made me realise what a great privilege it had been to have been able to fly with someone who will always be respected as probably the greatest display pilot that any us will ever know.

Ray, we will never forget you or what you gave to us all. Thank you.


Cant really top that, thanks for the post lomcevak, real tears to the eyes stuff, and i think will give alot of us an idea of the sadness, mixed with the joy and celebration of a day so many wished we could have been there for.

See you on the other side Ray..

T

I too was in the congregation at Ray’s funeral and had also been asked to post a few words. They are regrettably a little late, due to logistical reasons, for which I apologise. I had written this at about the same time as LOMCEVAK and I hope he won’t mind my contribution.


The day was bright and clear as we made our way to the church from the paddock carpark, unable to miss seeing the mound of floral tributes gathering at the graveside in the distance.

Acting as ushers at the church were well known faces from the world of UK display flying. An organ was playing unobtrusively as my lady and I walked down the aisle to take our places. Ray’s coffin, adorned with a huge floral display of lilies, was already in place at the front of the church with family and close friends sat in the choir stalls, facing it from either side.

In the pews in the main body of the church were many recognisable faces, some of whom had worn, in bygone times, the red flying suit with which Ray was so famously associated and were indeed his team members from so long ago. Also present were family, friends and fellow pilots, some of whom, had travelled half the globe for this very sad occasion.

The service started with the singing of a traditional hymn, ‘The Lord is my Shepherd’, which was followed by a reading from Isaiah by Nigel Lamb.
Tudor Owen (our very own Flying Lawyer) then stood up to speak about Ray’s life and times in aviation and about his fine qualities as a man. A hard emotional task but beautifully delivered. Indeed a chuckle rippled through the congregation at the comment that Ray would be wholly embarrassed by ‘all the fuss’ - and that is putting it politely.

Then followed the hymn ‘He who would valiant be’, followed by prayers led by the vicar. The hymn ‘Jerusalem’ was then sung followed by Sarah Hanna reading a poem by Stephen Spender. The vicar brought the church service to a close by reading the blessing during which the the pall bearers advanced forward for the carrying of the coffin.

As the coffin was slowly manoeuvred onto the shoulders of the four men the church fell astonishingly quiet, each individual present locked into their personal thoughts of Ray. Immediate family followed the coffin out of the church with the congregation following respectfully, and silently, behind. The cortege made its way slowly up the sloping ground to the top of the graveyard.
Poignant indeed was the muted sound of a Merlin engine in the chill breeze holding out of sight in the distance as the last of the congregation completed the steep walk to the graveside. The assembly stood in bare-headed silence as the vicar started to read the committal.

An air of expectancy was sated by a rushing, roaring noise as five Hawks of the Red Arrows, trailing smoke, streaked in and banked to the left, abeam the grave in fond salute to their most respected member. Within moments the familiar liquid gold sound of a Merlin at high power reached our ears followed by the sight of MH434 bearing down at speed on the graveyard, seemingly at tree top height. It was a fitting tribute as Ray’s coffin was slowly lowered into the ground next to the grave of his son Mark.
At the conclusion of the committal prayer Ray’s wife Eunice stepped forward to drop flowers onto the polished wood coffin as Sarah, in turn, dropped Ray's well worn flying gloves to be with him for eternity.
In heartrending, symbolic style MH434 circled lazily heavenwards and slowly disappeared from view.

As the immediate family slowly walked back down towards the church and Ray's home, individuals formed a respectful queue to stand for a few moments in front of the open grave with their individual and personal thoughts about Ray. I had a lot to thank Ray for as I too took my turn.

A beautifully simple, yet moving ceremony for a man who came to mean so much to so many.

Red Arrows Flypast


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ralFlypast.jpg


http://tinypic.com/izrllv.jpg





BBC pictures

A big thank you to Lomcevak and Fokkerwokker for taking the trouble to write about the funeral.

I think the family were wise to keep the funeral itself private, but it's good to read that a highly respected aviator who inspired other pilots and gave so much pleasure to so many people was paid fitting tributes both in the service and in the air.


Thank you both.

What can I say that hasn't already been said.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ray briefly at WoW'04, but had seen him fly many times before.

Again, the sight of Ray and Mark "in combat" over Wanaka in the Spit and Me109 will last for ever.

They are both missed!

Today's Sydney Morning Herald has Ray's obituary, here.

Re: Ray Hanna AFC
 

Tribute thread moved (with link) from Rumours & News today, at 149 posts and 56,766 views.

Re: Ray Hanna AFC
 

Hi, Just wondered where you got your DVD of 'Piece of Cake'. I have been trying to find video/DVD of that TV series for years, but no success, can you help.

Regards Norm

Re: Ray Hanna AFC
 

NTSC version from Amazon UK.

Ray Hanna Memorial Service
 

A number of people asked for details of the Memorial Service to be posted when arranged.

PPRuNe has received the following -


Date : Thursday 2 March 2006
Time : 12:00
Venue : Church of the Royal Air Force, St Clement Danes, Strand, London WC2
Dress : Lounge suit. Serving Officers, non-ceremonial day dress.



Those wishing to attend should write to:

Flying Officer D Birch
RAF Ceremonial Office
RAF Bentley Priory
Stanmore
Middlesex HA7 3HH

Or email : [email protected]


PPRuNe


Threads merged -link deleted

I am sure that Ray would appreciate this thread ending on a high, especially as it is his high!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...XR991-Red1.jpg

I agree.

This has become the biggest tribute thread in the history of PPRuNe.
As Pprune Pop said earlier, it can be kept as a permanent tribute, brought to the top on anniversaries in years to come.



Threads merged - link deleted

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...y_Red1_low.jpg



The Memorial Service is not yet a ticketed event but if that changes in the next 3½ weeks (as is likely) people who've notified the RAF that they wish to attend will be issued with tickets.


FL

Flying Lawyer - any details on that photograph, one of the best flying shots I have ever seen, the man himself I assume?


TimS

The Hanna's
 

Sad to hear the news, I first knowingly saw Ray and Mark at Terry Holdings Orsett airshow, Mark flew the Kittyhawk and as he came past the crowd line Brendan O'brien gasped as Mark looked like he was pulling so hard he would rip the harness from its mountings, Ray flew as he always does, immaculately..... another thing that stood out that day was Eddie Coventry's 'John Derry under' that nearly ended prematurely in his Silver Spitfire, as the saying goes there are old pilots and bold pilots, I think Ray was one of the few to wear both caps. I have pictures somewhere I'll post them if they have not faded away.

hold on to each other guys and dont let go....

Ray in his "office"
http://www.flyingmachines.tv/page1/files/RayHanna.jpg

That's a great shot - the smile says it all, really.

ray hanna
 

Wonderful pic, cameratwo,thankyou, made me smile too ! when, where & how was that taken?! Just had to join up ............ I have found comfort in the tributes to Ray H. ( so accurate & consistent ). I first met Ray in the 70's when we flew together with Lloyd International Airways, I was a mere fledgeling air stewardess ! It was a privilege to have known him and to experience his flying as one with his unique Spitfire, MH434 , at last years Goodwood Revival, this will never be forgotten or be the same again. He was a VERY special person ...... so missed. Goodnight Ray. P.S. is there anyone else with contacts/memories of Lloyd I.A. ?

It is a still image from a film I made about MH434, where I had the privilege to spend a Summer with two of the finest warbird pilots in the world.

TimS

The photograph was taken during team practice in 1966.
I found it on the web while doing some research about Ray leading the Arrows, but can't now remember where.

I don't know who (if anyone) owns the copyright.
It's up to you if you take the risk but, if it's for non-commercial use ...............

NB: That is not legal advice. ;)


FL

I'm pretty sure it is a still from a film made Arthur Gibson, now sadly no longer with us, and maybe Catalina.org could put you in touch with his 'estate managers'?
It was a 'presentation' on the team and how they worked/practiced. It used to be shown when asked to give talks to schools/WI's /flying clubs etc.
A couple of (scanned) pictures - also copyright Arthur, for the thread and for TimS, the first I think also from the film shoots and the second for amusement.



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...untitled-1.jpg

NB The next mate lurking behind the smoke................:)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...untitled-2.jpg

Ray has worked out there will be no need to duck!

Edit: TimS - I may have located the film - PM on its way. If I have it was 1969.

I saved the first pic - it's outstanding. Interesting if you look at the size of Rays helmet in the cockpit you get a sence of how small the Gnat really was.

Would love to have been there - but at least will be plugged in controlling the airspace above you!! :)

Any plans for anything RR powered to overfly??

Red One
 

Please excuse the lateness of this tribute, but I have only just discovered thise site.

I have been a lifelong lover of all things aeronautical, but never managed to aspire to the ultimate and fly myself. However, I think that through Ray and his wonderful displays, especially those wonderful trips down into the valley at Biggin, I managed to do just that.

Ever since the his days with the Reds I have admired and wondered at the skill with which he performed.

Thanks, Ray, RIP, you will forever be Red One.

Some Photos
 

My earlier post reflected on how, as a youngster in the 70's, Ray 'blew me away' while flying MH434. These photos are mostly from that era.

VMT to those who posted some of these own shots onto the internet - credits will be added if required.


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e3...n/97aa838c.jpg



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(Link fixed)

Images of todays service
 

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1834.jpg
Queuing to enter the Church - 600+ people attended to pay their respects


After the Service .....

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1828.jpg
Mrs Eunice Hanna


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1855.jpg
Mrs Sarah Carr - Ray's daughter, read a poem 'The Airman's World'



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1830.jpg
(Centre) Nigel Lamb - 'OFMC' pilot, Ray Hanna's 'Breitling Fighters' wingman
Thedy Schneider (Breitling), Stefano Albinati (Breitling Aviation Director), Jacques Bothelin (Leader 'Breitling Jets' Display Team)



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1864.jpg
(Left) Simon Ames - former Fleet Air Arm pilot,Trustee of the de Havilland Flying Foundation and Brooklands Aviation Museum
(Right) Tudor Owen FRAeS - aviation barrister, former 'OFMC' pilot, PPRuNe 'Flying Lawyer', gave the Eulogy



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1851.jpg
Wg Cdr Brett Marshall - New Zealand Air Attaché


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1835.jpg
(Left, facing front) Capt Jock Lowe FRAeS - former Chief Pilot of BA, Master of the Guild of Air Pilots & Navigators
(Back, coming out of church) Raymond Baxter OBE - WW2 Spitfire pilot, veteran broadcaster



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1832.jpg
Alain de Cadenet - broadcaster



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1836.jpg
(Left) Ray's Gnat QFI's RAF Valley
(Front left) Rob Metcalfe - CAA SRG, Jane Larcombe (Fighter Collection, Duxford)


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1865.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1863.jpg


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1861.jpg
(R) David Boyce - aviation insurance consultant


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1850.jpg
(Left) Duncan Prentice - helicopter pilot, worked on Air America with Mark Hanna


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1849.jpg
Ian and Pauline Senior - Goodwood Revival



http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...r/_B6O1868.jpg
Light snow falling










PPRuNe has been sent some names to add to the pics.
If you know any others, please let us have them.
Heliport