Ray Hanna AFC and Bar
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Briefings ray hanna 17/1/06 5:52 pm Page 2 Ray Hanna AFC and Bar and professionalism. There was the occasional brush with higher authority who felt some manoeuvres were a little too punchy, but Ray stood his ground well and usually persuaded the Air Marshals that they were carefully designed to look exciting but were actually quite safe. Father and son enjoyed a mutual and Ray served a record four years as ‘Red One’. justified respect and pride. Ray’s obvious In recognition of his exceptional leadership of delight when Mark earned his Wings is still what quickly became (and is today) the public vividly remembered by those rehearsing for the face of the RAF, he was awarded a Bar to the graduation parade. They were treated to a AFC he had received seven years earlier for spectacular demonstration of flying skill. outstanding airmanship as a fighter pilot. The distinctive sound of a Merlin engine Raynham George Hanna was born at was quickly followed by Ray’s Spitfire Takapuna, New Zealand, on the 28th August appearing at an impressive angle of bank from 1928. He learned to fly Tiger Moths after around a hanger and ‘slaloming’ at speed leaving Auckland Grammar School and, in through the dispersal floodlight pylons before 1949, worked his passage on a steamer to making an extremely low pass in front of the ‘The best display pilot of his generation.’ England in the hope of joining the RAF. hangars. Unthinkable these days but, ‘The most talented pilot in the history of Earning his Wings before piston-engine significantly, it was executed with his display flying.’ ‘He was my role model.’ fighters were superseded, he flew such types characteristic precision and safety – and away ‘I became a pilot after watching him fly.’ as the Tempest, Sea Fury and Beaufighter. from public view. ‘The best Spitfire pilot since the war.’ That began a passion which was to give Mark’s tragic death in 1999, in a flying Such were the phrases which echoed pleasure to millions later in his life. accident which Ray witnessed, was a around the aviation world when the sad news During his service, he flew virtually all the devastating blow. The public courage and broke that aviation had lost one of its finest early British jet fighters. His first operational fortitude with which he coped with his private and most respected pilots. posting to 79 Squadron at RAF Gutersloh was pain, and gradually returned to his flying form Squadron Leader Ray Hanna, who an unprecedented achievement for a pilot of to continue the project they began, earned him established the Red Arrows as the world’s limited experience. Flying the Meteor in the widespread admiration. premier formation aerobatics team, completed fighter reconnaissance role was one of the Ray’s skills were sublime and his what turned out to be his last display season most demanding for a single-seat pilot. “Four professionalism absolute. His mastery of the in the position in which he finished his first 40 years never above 100 feet”, as he fondly display pilot’s art went far beyond his legendary years ago – at the very top. No mean feat at described it, enabled him to hone a skill which handling skills; he knew how to display. When the age of 77. was to enthral spectators, and earn the respect Ray spoke other pilots listened. When he flew, Ray was already an outstanding fighter pilot of other pilots, for decades. other pilots watched. His skills and finesse with noted aerobatics talent and considerable In 1969, after conspicuous success leading were the target for which all others aimed. experience in squadron formation teams when the Red Arrows he was, incomprehensibly, His ability to fly war machines exceptionally an official RAF aerobatics display team was posted to a ground tour. For a man born to fly, low with safety and precision invariably evoked formed in 1965. He was selected for the team a ‘desk job’ was unbearable. He resigned. rapturous applause during airshows. A few and, within a year, was the Leader. 1971 saw the start of a new career in civil hours later, as the show drew to a close, the His leadership brought a style and panache aviation. After seven years as a captain with same spectators would watch in total silence, into displays which took the Red Arrows to Cathay Pacific, he became Chief Pilot of a with tears in many an eye, as Ray in his Spitfire new heights of excellence which earned diplomatic organisation with world-wide performed the most graceful aerial ballet. worldwide acclaim. He was given two more operations, where he remained until retirement. Shrewd organisers of shows with a military aircraft and his ‘Diamond 9’ remains the Ray’s Red Arrows years were only the theme ensured his was the closing display. team’s ‘signature’ formation. beginning of his enormous contribution to He was a gentleman; impeccably courteous, The highlights of previous and contemporary British display flying. For three more decades, of absolute integrity and unfailingly loyal to his formation aerobatics displays, here and he commanded universal respect in the civilian friends. His dry sense of humour occasionally abroad, were achieved at the expense of airshow world internationally. caught out even those who knew him well but, intervals of empty sky while the team In the 1970s, he was invited to display with perfect timing, his twinkling half smile repositioned. Hanna’s underlying philosophy MH434, the famous Mk IX Spitfire which he revealed what he really thought. was that each manoeuvre should flow later acquired. It was the beginning a long Ray wasn’t afraid to stand his ground when seamlessly into the next or, as he often told his relationship between man and machine which necessary and, although never impolite, wasn’t team: ‘If the crowd have time to lick their ice will remain for ever in the memories of his afraid to be blunt when occasion demanded - creams, we aren’t doing our job properly!” many admirers. the latter often not unrelated to his profound It worked. The Red Arrows almost instantly Ray never showed off his ability; he always dislike of bureaucracy! became a star attraction across the world. showed off the capability of whichever aircraft Although intolerant of all but the highest Today’s displays still conform to the template he displayed. Alex Henshaw MBE, Chief Test standards, he was a kind man who willingly he developed, and subsequent leaders freely Pilot at Supermarine’s largest wartime Spitfire gave his time to advise the less experienced admit the premier position the team still holds factory, considered him to be the finest Spitfire and encourage aspiring pilots achieve their is largely due to the solid foundation he laid in pilot in the world. “Of all the displays I’ve seen ambition. Countless pilots who never actually the 1960s. since the war, no other pilot had Ray Hanna’s met him were inspired to fly by seeing his Ray epitomised the qualities required in an ability to demonstrate precisely what the displays as youngsters. aerobatics team leader. Outstanding flying skill, Spitfire was designed to do.” An approachable man of great modesty, Ray impeccable judgment and decisive orders earned In 1981, Ray’s son Mark, a Phantom pilot, remained totally unaffected by the immense the total confidence of the team members. left the RAF to join him in founding the Old esteem in which he was held. – Tudor Owen His radio instructions during thrilling displays Flying Machine Company, restoring and were the quintessence of quiet authority. A pilot operating WWII ‘warbirds’ at Duxford. Mark Ray Hanna died suddenly on December 1. who flew under Ray in those early days, and was already an experienced and exceptionally He is survived by Eunice, whom he married in led the team himself a decade later, says: “Ray talented pilot and their performances on the 1957, and their daughter Sarah. He was had an instinctive feel for display flying. His international display circuit led to their being in buried beside Mark at the Parish Church, exceptional flying ability and air of calm regular demand by film-makers. Parham, Suffolk, on the 15th December. confidence inspired us to follow him without Breathtaking flying sequences in Empire of question. We had complete trust in him.” the Sun (1987) and Memphis Belle (1989) *A memorial service for Ray Hanna will be The Red Arrows Squadron motto ‘Eclat’ led to numerous film credits, and to Stephen held at noon on March 2nd at the Church of (conspicuously brilliant) could not be used Spielberg insisting their services be engaged the Royal Air Force, St Clement Danes, more appropriately than to describe Ray’s skills for his film Saving Private Ryan (1998). Strand, London WC2 I 42 General Aviation February 2006.