Ray Hanna and the Winston Bridge

 

Ray Hanna was born in New Zealand. He learned to fly as a teenager in the Air Training Corps in Auckland. He felt that better opportunities for flying were available in the RAF. He worked his way to England on a merchant ship and joined the RAF.

Early in his career, Hanna had the opportunity to become involved with aerial display teams, first as the leader of a four-ship Hawker Hunter display team in 1957 and then, in 1963–64, as a member of a Meteor display team operated by the RAF College of Air Warfare. He was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air in the 1960 New Year Honours, and a year later received his first Air Force Cross.

In 1965, Hanna became a member of the Red Arrows display team as ‘Red 3’. The following year, he became the team leader, ‘Red 1’, a post which he held for a record four years. During this time, Hanna oversaw the enlargement of the team to nine Folland Gnat T.Mk.1 aircraft, making possible the inclusion of the diamond-nine formation which is a staple feature of Red Arrows display routines to this day. During this period, the Red Arrows became a permanent squadron as part of the Central Flying School. Hanna was awarded a permanent commission on 1 October 1966, and as an acting squadron leader was awarded a Bar to his Air Force Cross in the 1967 New Year Honours.

Hanna was promoted to squadron leader on 1 January 1968, and was retired from the RAF at his own request on 14 May 1971. – from Wikipedia

Ray Hanna has passed away, so may he rest in peace.

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  1. Max Knots Member
    Max Knots
    @MaxKnots

    Outstanding story Doug! He makes it look so easy. The visibility over the nose of this aircraft couldn’t have been great. Thanks!

    • #1
  2. Tex929rr Coolidge
    Tex929rr
    @Tex929rr

    A photo in the video made me go look – he also flew the P51 in Empire of the Sun, one of my all time favorite film clips.

     

    • #2
  3. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    That was gutsy.

    My favorite is the day Bill Overstreet took the Berlin Express to Paris.

    Of course, it’s a lot roomier under there.

     

    • #3
  4. Tex929rr Coolidge
    Tex929rr
    @Tex929rr

    This scene from Secondhand Lions was flown by an acquaintance of Mrs Tex. His son flew in the Marines and for a long time at FedEx with the Mrs.  It’s a bit misleading in that they actually took off under the bridge and edited to make it look like a touch and go.  I always thought the radar gun was a nice touch.

     

     

     

    • #4
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