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In Memoriam – Ray Hanna AFC

Ray served as Red 3 in the inaugural 1965 team under Red 1, Lee Jones. In 1966, Ray took over the Red 1 mantle and built on Lee Jones’ work, moulding the Red Arrows into the unsurpassed team that they are today. He took the display squadron from 7 to 9 jets and set in place a model that has has been copied by every other aerobatic team since.

Ray continued as Red 1 for a further 3 years until 1969, a record term as Leader for 4 years – a record that stands to this day.

Following his skill at honing the Red Arrows into the precision team that they are known, he was awarded a bar to his existing AFC.

After retiring from the RAF in 1971, Ray joined the commercial flying sector until 1981. He then continued to thrill audiences Worldwide with his skill and unmatched aerobatic skills via the Old Flying Machine Company that he founded with his son Mark.

His displays with the Spitfire were unequalled and became the benchmark by which all other solo display pilots were measured – there simply was no better advocate of flying this renowned aircraft.

The aviation world has lost a truly brilliant pilot who will be deeply missed by all who knew him, watched him display and, in doing so, inspired many to learn to fly.

Our thoughts are with Ray’s family at this very sad time.

This trio flew past at Farnborough in the late ’50s…cry, cry! 😮

I knew some Tucanos had been withdrawn and stored at Shawbury, How nice of them to donate three to IWM :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I have heard that Modelcraft are issuing a couple of new kits, including a Stranraer and the rumour is that this is likely to be the Matchbox re-issued. The prevailing view seems to be that the Stranraer was one of Matchbox’ best kits and even bears comparison with today’s offerings.

Modelcraft have reissued the Matchbox Twin Otter, so I’m not surprised they are doing the Stranraer. I think they are Canadian, so anything that served in Canada should sell well.

Went to Eggesford to fly Auster 9 on Sunday (someone has to) and read a list re G-VFWE and even asked the same question and from what I can gather (and this may be incorrect) is that next year it will be held on the Whitsun weekend (end of May) at Keevil.

I like yourself thought that Hullavington was going to the venue for last year (whimped out this year with the thought of sleeping in a wet tent for two nights!), so will ask again this weekend.

Martin

Just looked at their website and indeed you’re right, they’ve changed it:

G-VFWE 2006
Our Tenth Anniversary event should, if all goes according to plan,* be held At Keevil Airfield, Wilts over the Bank Holiday Weekend of Friday May 26th to Monday May 29th. This former RAF aerodrome (built in 1942) was originally intended for fighter training but was then redesigned to full ‘bomber’ status with THREE large hard runways. In the end it found diverse roles with the USAAF, Spitfire assembly and, most importantly, with Airborne Forces for Overlord and Market Garden. It is located just outside the village of Steeple Ashton about four miles east of Trowbridge, off the A430 Warminster-Chippenham for visitors by road.

* Final contracts have yet to be exchanged but the signs are very positive.

We are of course sorry to be unable to return to Hullavington as we intended after this year’s deluges but, despite everyone’s best efforts, it was simply not possible to fit in with the operations of the very active VGS Units. We remain hopeful of reaching an agreement for another year.

I have a roughly A4 size imformation sheet that was handed out to my parents flying to or from Guernsey ( 9/22/57their Honeymoon ) i think on what i was told was a Dakota, giving time, position, height etc…..i just wondered if its possible to identify the actual aircraft? no serial nos. but named R.M.A.SPENSER GREY, The captain was, K.MOUNTNEY. Top of page is, BEA PIONAIR. Be amazing if it was still about !! any ideas?

“R.M.A Spencer Gray” was G-AHCX (c/n 13335). It served with the RAF as KG604 and joined BEA on 10 Sept.1946 until it was sold to Yemen A/L as YE-ABC, becoming YW-ABC in Jan.1962, which changed its name to with Yemen Arab A/L in 1969. It was last reported as cancelled and wfu, so presume scrapped or maybe derelict in Yemen.

The Connie will not move, let alone fly. Last year I was talking to a member of staff at Wroughton, and suggesting how great it would be to see it towed out into the sunshine for photography etc.

However, I was led to believe that the bottom of the fuselage has suffered from very extensive corrosion, ( a legacy of its cargo days) and the ubiquitous H&S regulations now preclude it from even turning a wheel, lest it should fold up into a heap of exfoliated aluminium!

Living very close to Wroughton, I was very lucky to photograph the entire collection outside during the mid-80s and knew the late John Bagley well, as I did his successor, Ross Sharp. Both being enthusiasts, they used to let me know when the aircraft were moved outside for any reason. I managed all the fleet except the Gugnunc and the RAE Folland Gnat. After Ross left, I asked if the Gnat could be moved outside for photography and the, then, curator quoted me £125.00 to have it moved about 10ft from one side of the hangar door outside! Excuses like, ‘we have to captialise on such things’ and we’ll have to pay extra staff to do that’, made ‘too difficult’ become the order of the day and the museum is so tight, they won’t do anything for nothing!
Incidently, the DC-3 flew in under its own steam from Ireland and has been the subject of tail-wheel mount corrosion, so it couldn’t be moved for a long time. Did you know this is the oldest surviving DC-3, one of United Airline’s first? Restore it in United Airlines colours….you’re joking? Even when offered free labour, they wouldn’t pay for the paint!

Anyway, here are four of the inmates making a very rare outside appearance for my camera:

N7777G L-749 Constellation
G-ALXT Dragon Rapide
G-APWY Piaggio P.166
EI-AYO DC-3

Enjoy!

Here area few more.

1 C-47A-85-DL VH-BUR
2 C-47B-45-DK VH-MMB
3 C-47A-1-DL VR-SCR
4 C-47A-5-DK G-ALVZ
5 C-47A-80-DL K-683
6 C-47B-30-DK KN452

Glyn

#5. R.Danish AF C-47, K-683, was taken at Waddington Sept.1965.
#6. RAF C-47 KN452 was taken at Abingdon June 1968.