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