Death of Ray Hanna
Discussion
To those of you who have interests in Aviation as well as TVR's, and don't know already, Ray Hanna died last week, aged 77.
Ray, together with his son Mark (who was tragically killed several years ago), founded The Old Flying Machine Company in the 1980's, which restores and flies Old Warbirds out of Duxford.
Those of you who have attended the Goodwood Revival Meetings in recent years would have seen Ray regularly display with such grace, his Mk IX Spitfire, MH434 to the crowds. It is the view of many enthusiasts (me included) that Ray was the finest warbird display pilot in this country, and airshows in the UK will never quite be the same again.
Nobody in recent times flew the 'Spit' with the same amount of skill and panache that Ray did and I doubt they ever will. He was a true master of his art and a gentleman to boot.
The fact that we won't see him displaying ever again at Duxford, Biggin Hill or indeed Goodwood is an absolute tragedy.
Ray, together with his son Mark (who was tragically killed several years ago), founded The Old Flying Machine Company in the 1980's, which restores and flies Old Warbirds out of Duxford.
Those of you who have attended the Goodwood Revival Meetings in recent years would have seen Ray regularly display with such grace, his Mk IX Spitfire, MH434 to the crowds. It is the view of many enthusiasts (me included) that Ray was the finest warbird display pilot in this country, and airshows in the UK will never quite be the same again.
Nobody in recent times flew the 'Spit' with the same amount of skill and panache that Ray did and I doubt they ever will. He was a true master of his art and a gentleman to boot.
The fact that we won't see him displaying ever again at Duxford, Biggin Hill or indeed Goodwood is an absolute tragedy.
Very sad, I was at Goodwood when he did the morning fly past along the start finish straight (and it was a lot less than 90ft!). I was on the elevated banking in front of one of the grandstands and I swear I was looking across at the cockpit rather than up at it! Amazing memory that still sends shivers down my spine...
RIP Sir.
RIP Sir.
It isnt sad news. A bit of a shock, but not sad.
It was fairly sad and tragic news when Mark died, he was still fairly young and had a good 20-30yrs of top class display flying in him.
Ray died from I can gather peacefully and happily. He died after a long and pretty well fulfilled life. He did everything he ever wanted to do, he was the best at his chosen career...hell Ive seen seen a Chuck Yeager interview where he said Ray Hanna was the technical skill pilot he ever saw. Complements dont come much higher.
Sad is an unfulfilled life going south or a life cut short. Personally I feel that is the last thing Ray Hanna had. Ray's passing was just his due time up after he achieved everything he could've wished for. That isnt sad, that is one hell of a life and I for one am extraordinarily grateful he chose to share it with the rest of us.
Rest in peace Ray, you were the best there has been.
It was fairly sad and tragic news when Mark died, he was still fairly young and had a good 20-30yrs of top class display flying in him.
Ray died from I can gather peacefully and happily. He died after a long and pretty well fulfilled life. He did everything he ever wanted to do, he was the best at his chosen career...hell Ive seen seen a Chuck Yeager interview where he said Ray Hanna was the technical skill pilot he ever saw. Complements dont come much higher.
Sad is an unfulfilled life going south or a life cut short. Personally I feel that is the last thing Ray Hanna had. Ray's passing was just his due time up after he achieved everything he could've wished for. That isnt sad, that is one hell of a life and I for one am extraordinarily grateful he chose to share it with the rest of us.
Rest in peace Ray, you were the best there has been.
Speaking of Mark...
Was anybody else on here lucky enough to still be around after the last race on the Saturday at Goodwood the yr Mark died? It would only have been a week before his death.
If you were, you know what Im talking about.
If you weren't...you missed a man writing his own blazing epitaph. He took up the P51 and threw it about the sky. A classic late English summer's evening, reddening skies and Mark Hanna throwing a P51 about the sky for impromptu fun. Nothing planned about it, no display announced, no companions, just him throwing a 51 about for say 15-20mins. It might be my rose tinted glasses on, but I swear the entire field I was in just turned their engines off in the queues to leave, got out of their cars and watched.
Simply magnificant.
Was anybody else on here lucky enough to still be around after the last race on the Saturday at Goodwood the yr Mark died? It would only have been a week before his death.
If you were, you know what Im talking about.
If you weren't...you missed a man writing his own blazing epitaph. He took up the P51 and threw it about the sky. A classic late English summer's evening, reddening skies and Mark Hanna throwing a P51 about the sky for impromptu fun. Nothing planned about it, no display announced, no companions, just him throwing a 51 about for say 15-20mins. It might be my rose tinted glasses on, but I swear the entire field I was in just turned their engines off in the queues to leave, got out of their cars and watched.
Simply magnificant.
richb said:
Speaking of Mark...
Was anybody else on here lucky enough to still be around after the last race on the Saturday at Goodwood the yr Mark died?Rich...
Same rose tinted glasses?
Just about the perfect end to a perfect day.
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