A memorial to those who fly warbirds

And let’s not forget that following Mark Hanna’s death, his family were fundraising for this organisation:

http://www.blondmcindoe.com/

I believe they still are, perhaps someone in the know would like to comment?

Adrian

He’res an excellent link for precisely the kind of good cause we are all talking abount here!
www.fly2help.org

Bomberboy

Seconded…

On the idea of a scholarship to help younguns get a foothold to keep the aircraft alive.

There seems to be a concensus that putting (and keeping) vintage aircraft in the air is the best memorial for people like Brian Brown, but that people would be willing to contribute to some kind of tangible memorial. Personally, I can’t think of anything more moving than the final display at Biggin Hill last year when John Romain displayed MH434 to the sound of the Last Post in memory of Ray Hanna. I don’t see why similar displays, in aircraft that are associated with particular fliers, could not be done more often, on the understanding that if people want to give money to the memory of particular pilots, they can donate to whatever restoration company or project. Perhaps even something more formal could be instituted, like a memorial fund for Brian that could be put towards the restoration of another Hurricane to flying condition, that could have his name permanently painted beneath the canopy. Just a thought.

Not to mention MH434 which to me is kind of an unoffical memorial to Ray and Mark Hanna

Martin

Seconded…having met both Ray and Mark on several occasions and seen (and cleaned) ‘434 and seen her fly many times (and been the focus of her gunsight on a low and fast pass…which made me happy I didn’t wear gray that day 😀 ) I think of them every time I see her,either for real or in a photo.

Some would argue that PV202 and the emerging PL983 are effectively flying memorials in themselves.

Not to mention MH434 which to me is kind of an unoffical memorial to Ray and Mark Hanna

Martin

Some would argue that PV202 and the emerging PL983 are effectively flying memorials in themselves.

Maybe the best tribute for all the lost display pilots is in the very thing they loved, a Warbird or vintage jet in the natural element the sky.

I reckon each and every one of them would agree with you.

The idea of a memorial has been one that i have often thought about, But i can fully understand why current display pilots would not want one, And as was pointed out to me in the past such a memorial could end up being used against vintage display flying especially if it listed lost pilots/Crew.
The UK airshow industry is one where safety comes first and accidents are thankfully rare, The last fatal accident before saturday was the Firefly in 2003i believe thats 4 years, That is a pretty good safety record in my view, But sadly accidents can and do happen at times.

Sadly the Hurricane accident that claimed Brian Brown was the 5th i fatal accident i have witnessed and from this i admire the pilots who fly these aircraft more and more. Maybe the best tribute for all the lost display pilots is in the very thing they loved, a Warbird or vintage jet in the natural element the sky.

I proposed the idea through Flypast sometime ago (around the sad loss of Paul Morgan and Norman Lees before). At that stage I mooted that the memorial could have taken the form of a stone tablet – but NOT with names as that would be depressing and totally inappropriate, or better still a memorial garden…just somewhere where people could reflect.

I prefered the memorial garden idea with no mention of names. North Weald were willing to provide a home ISTR. I, and Flypast did a straw pole of some display pilots and the stone memorial was very unpopular as was any memorial that could be seen as one walks to ones aircraft for a display. Many display pilots/crew initially flew in the services and have a pragmatic and almost fatalistic approach to the risks.

I can fully concur with this view of the display aircrew. I am involved in Flight Test and can fully understand that a memorial can be off putting and an unwanted distraction when you are in your aviation ‘bubble’.

So i am not sure whether the memorial garden idea is a true goer, unless it is located away from the runway or path to the aircraft. That said, a memorial garden is not actually just for the aircrew, it is more of solace to the relatives who are just as much victims and are the ones left behind.

A good friend of mine was lost in a display accident leaving two young boys and a wife behind. Maybe a garden would be a nice place?

Another idea is a living memorial, a general fund to raise money to give disadvantaged children/people the chance to experiance flight (perhaps like the EAA Young Eagles?). Flight is still an experience that is as exciting today as it was for Cayley, Lillienthal or the the Wright Brothers. Making some good come out of a sad event may be the way to go?

Just my thoughts…..

I hope I have not upset anyone with these ramblings…It is a time for sadness, reflection and thought. One thing is for sure, these display aircrews do a fine job making history come alive and presenting these beautiful aircraft to the public in a way that brings a ltear to many an eye and a lump to many a throat.

Last month I watched beautiful displays by the HAC Hurricane and Spitfire at Old Sarum Castle and the hairs stood up on the back of my neck….this happened to many people there and the standing ovation and clapping spoke heaps.

dhfan is quite correct. Think they would all prefer you contribute to RAFA or perhaps a few coins into a ‘good cause’ restoration project such as the Blenheim etc.

Nice thought but ………..

MM

I was aware the idea had been suggested before,but unaware the display pilots were not in favour,which is fair comment.

Another idea I had thought about was to create a pilot’s licence scholarship for under 21’s, in order to inspire & encourage a new generation of warbird pilots, but perhaps that maybe too ambitious.

I guess at the moment most of us just want to show our appreciation & pay our respects in some way.

A perfectly reasonable idea, but when it’s come up before, many current UK display pilots have been firmly against it.

For those that know and care, there are memorials at Duxford, Shuttleworth and elsewhere to those that various people and organisations wish to remember from the air display environment. They are low-key, and do not make a big fuss, which seems preferred with those involved. Next time you stop at a bench at those venues, have a closer look at the back.

Seems a bit mawkish to me. This country has developed an unhealthy mania for memorials, plaques and other detritus.

At West London Aero Club, a number of individual are remembered with a bench and small brass name-plate, which seems about right to me, not to mention the advantage of a nice sit-down, and somewhere to balance your pint at the end of the day, which is a far warmer association than some gloomy granite monolith.

I am sure Brian’s many friends at Breighton will have their own individual and appropriate way of remembering him.

IIRC, it’s been mooted a couple of times before but display pilots aren’t particularly keen on the idea.

dhfan is quite correct. Think they would all prefer you contribute to RAFA or perhaps a few coins into a ‘good cause’ restoration project such as the Blenheim etc.

Nice thought but ………..

MM

IIRC, it’s been mooted a couple of times before but display pilots aren’t particularly keen on the idea.

Not too soon in my view, I was thinking a simlar idea lasnight. I havent much money but Id be more than happy to spare a few quid for such a poigniant memorial. Combat pilots & soldiers have their well deserved memorials, so why not the same for our brave historical warbird pilots who give their lives to ensure the memory the of our Fallen Heros continues?

Bex