OFMC P-40E has been sold…

I guess since Mr Hanna is apparently settling in Wanaka and building a hangar at Luggate (Wanaka Airport) he will still be in touch with the warbird scene.

An autobiography would be wonderful. I’d very much like to learn more about his early years, especially here in NZ, and also read his experiences of all the films he has appeared in.

Ray is 76 this year. Every time I see him he seems as fit as ever, but you can’t go on for ever!

Every time i see Ray display i feel it is such a honour he is a legend and has given us so much entertainment in his years displaying, There is nobody like him in my oppinion.
He has certainly earned a quiet retirement if he chooses one but the fact is he loves to fly and Display, Watching him of the Friday at Biggin Hill last year then again on the sunday were true highlights of 2004 for me and in someways i think of him as so very linked to Biggin Hill as it was in 1982 i first saw him display there me a excitable 8 year old at the time i am now a excitable 31 year old and thank Ray for getting me so in to Warbirds with MH434.
A autobiography seems a great idea and i wish he had some sort of Nighthood too.
On a side note its nice to hear the P-40 has got a good home miss seeing her in Britain but all the same we don’t own this Aircraft we should just enjoy them while we can and thank pilots like Ray for sharing them.

Anyone know if Ray is planning (or can be convinced) to pen an autobiograpy ?…… would make fasinating reading !

How old is Ray these days, anyway? Mid-70s?

Ray is 76 this year. Every time I see him he seems as fit as ever, but you can’t go on for ever!

truely awesome….Glad to hear Chailey is on again this year! 😎

Chailey last year :-

Chailey, Biggin Hill, last year absolutly amazing…. Brietling Fighters also quite possibly the best thing ive seen at an airshow.

Also a very friendly chap and a delight to talk too.

Indeed sad when he stops flying but my word what moments hes given us all. Thats what i’ll be remembering!

How old is Ray these days, anyway? Mid-70s?

Have known Ray Hanna for nearly 40 years and have never known such a professional display pilot ever! He has always been extremely skilled at low-level and formation flying, but I don’t know how much longer he can go on doing this. At some point, he will want to reduce this activity towards retirement and this could be the start of it.

if he does stop displaying soon it will be a sad day in historic aviation. the airshow after my grandad past away (bout the same time Mark Hanna died) his display was truely fitting and brought me to tears as it was so beautifully performed.

Despite OFMC selling the P40, I wouldn’t be that surprised if Ray continues to display the aircraft. With Warbirds a sale is not always that clear cut!

Septic.

Also, has Ray Hanna relocated back to New Zealand?
T J

Better climate and no capital gains 😉 Right time to sell then !!!!

So what is happening to the OFMC. Are they just downsizing their collection, or are they getting out of the business? Looked at their website, and the number of shows seem to be down from earlier years. Also, has Ray Hanna relocated back to New Zealand?

T J

This is not a suprise as this company already has the ex-OFMC Corsair. I’m glad al these planes are finding a good new owner.

Stieglitz

Yes, I heard this news some time back. Great to hear it’ll be sticking around in NZ for a lot longer, and also very appropriate to hear this former No. 14 Sqn machine has returned to Hood Aerodrome, (former RNZAF Masterton) where it and the squadron was once based.

I also think I read somewhere that the OS&RC had bought the Subritzky P40M. Is this right? It is under restoration north of Auckland.

It is a full dual control arrangement. See the link to the Pioneer website for more information:

http://www.pioneeraero.co.nz/may_2004.htm

That figures with June 2005’s Aeroplane which lists the aircraft as being with the OS&RC at Masterton