You’re not the only one Pete

Quick, look at BBC Look East NOW.
Sorry, too late, I just watched that and burst into tears.

Have just purchased the Warbirds over Wanaka 2004 DVD upon Setter’s recommendation and the Legends 2005 DVD, I found it quite ironic that mentioned on the Legends DVD was the fact that a rumour was circulating that this would be Rays last Legends performance,a fact that is now unbelievably true.
Then I watched the Wanaka DVD ,and like i mentioned in the Ray Hanna thread ,this is must see footage of Ray,Lee,Nigel and Keith and the Breitling Fighters.But the tribute on BBC East tonight reduced me to tears as the final confirmation that We will never see Ray performing again.

Steve

Very sad news

Very sad news that Ray Hanna has passed away.
Although I never knew him personally ,I think like many others that having watched him perform so many times I felt that I did and of course odd comments or answers to questions from Ray over the years made me feel privileged to have been given the time by someone so highly respected by so many enthusiasts and very experienced display pilots.
I for one used to watch in total admiration the displays in MH434 ,i preferred the solo display as there was nothing to distract from the routine that Ray had perfected over the years.
Then there was the Breitling Fighters, amazing formation aerobatics with four different types .Credit to the other exceptional pilots ,but the leader has got to be good especially when he has the least power available.
My favourite moments though were watching Ray lead in the Iraqi Fury,with Stephen Grey and Steve Noujaim following in Bearcat and Fury at a Legends show ,the commentator says something like “Here’s Ray Hanna leading,come on chaps keep up”
But many years before at the first Fighter Meet in 1984 ,the debut of John Pauls P.40 ‘Sneak Attack’ flown almost continuously by Ray over the weekend. Such was Ray’s enthusiasm for the aircraft that I overheard the late John Crocker, who had just flown it over from the states say “Hey that guy’s got the P.40 running again!!” and here’s a pic of Ray doing what he did so well.

Farewell Ray

Steve

Blenheim/Bolingbroke losses

So what was the official reason for the accident resulting in the temporary loss of the second restoration.
I know all about the loss at Denham,and like many other recent warbird losses,I am constantly amazed at how cheaply some aircraft are lost after so much time and effort has given to make ,or keep them airworthy.
I’d be interested to know if anyone can enlighten me.

Steve

Low level at Biggin

While reading this thread I suddenly thought of the Biggin Hill Air Fair video that I made available to the forum.There is some great low level flying video footage as opposed to photographs on this tape, as those who have seen it will agree.
The primary action is of Ray Hanna in MH434 ,and Pilatus P2 G-BJAX and this is well worth seeing (You couldn’t fly lower without lowering the undercarriage !!).
Unfortunately the tape was never returned,although i still have the master copy.If anyone knows where it is and anyone else wants to see it,then get in contact with whoever has it and get them to send it to you.
It really is worth seeing !.

Steve

Re ,How Low

Any one seen the 1980’s programme about the then Confederate Air Force, called ‘Ghost Squadron’ ?
There are some excellent low flying shots on there,that are amazing .
They include:
A Frank sanders Sea Fury T Mk.20 taking off that appears to go lower once retracted undercarriage all with smokewinders !!
And then a back seat ride with Lefty Gardner in his P.51D ‘Thunderbird’ who does some amazing low level passes over his personal airstrip before landing ,taxiing across a road and then parking Thunderbird on the lawn in front of his house!!
If you haven’t seen it get a copy ,well worth seeing even though its 20 years old,

Steve

Rapide engine fire

This was a very unfortunate incident to end for me what was another great Legends.
More worrying for me was the delay in tackling the fire.I didn’t make a point of rubbernecking or making a beeline to watch or photograph like so many others,but I was concerned that all the passengers and the pilot would evacuate safely.
I thought it was standard practice to have groundcrew standing by with an extinguisher while starting engines especially, or to have an extinguisher nearby,but the panic that i saw in trying to find an extinguisher left me really concerned.I dont know where the fuel tanks are on a Rapide,but I heard one bystander say that more Rapides have been lost in this way than any other.
In the light of that maybe onboard extinguishers should be fitted to help pilot earlier.
I couldn’t even begin to think of what might have happened if engine fire happened in flight with no way of putting it out.
Your thoughts please,and don’t slate me for criticising the putting out of the fire, because it simply took too long.We can all only be so grateful that nobody was anything more than shocked ,

Steve