Flightline UK - Biggin Hill International Air Fair Press Release 18/05/2006

2006 Edition

Press Release (18/05/2006) - Biggin Hill international Air Fair 2006 - Air Fair 2006 To Be Dedicated As A Tribute To Ray Hanna

The 2006 Biggin Hill International Air Fair (3rd & 4th June) is to be dedicated as a Tribute to the memory of the late Ray Hanna who flew in the annual air show consistently over a period of 40 years. He died of natural causes at the age of 77 in December last year.

The daily flying display will include a special flypast and display by Ray’s Mk IX Spitfire in formation with a Folland Gnat in the colours of the original RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Team of the 60’s and 70’s. The Spitfire will be flown by Nigel Lamb of the Old Flying Machine Company.

Ray’s first visit to Biggin Hill was in May 1965, then as Flt Lt Hanna flying as No 3 in the very first public appearance of the brand new Red Arrows team. Promoted to Squadron Leader, he was appointed team leader for the next four years, helping to seal the exceptional high standards and professionalism for which the team became known world-wide.

After retirement from the Royal Air Force, Ray moved to the airline industry and flew with Cathay Pacific. But his interest in display flying had not diminished and he founded The Old Flying Machine Company based at Duxford to restore and operate in the growing business of ‘warbirds’ that were in high demand with the film and television industry. His performances in his Spitfire and other types such as the P51 Mustang were rapidly becoming a legend. His son Mark followed him into the RAF and became a fast jet pilot , subsequently joining his father’s company at Duxford. Tragically, Mark lost his life flying a Messerschmitt 109 in 1999. His loss saw the foundation of the Mark Hanna Surgical Research Fellowship at the Blond McIndoe Centre.

Ray was twice decorated with the Air Force Cross for his performance and leadership. In 2000 he was awarded the Jeffrey Quill Medal by the Air League for ‘an outstanding contribution to the development of air-mindedness in Britain’s youth’.

Members of the Hanna family, friends and airshow industry colleagues will gather at Biggin Hill for the Air Fair to share the Tribute to Ray’s memory.

Sqdn Ldr Jock Maitland, Chairman of organisers Air Displays International, had known Ray Hanna for 40 years and become a close friend.

“Ray was an outstanding pilot for his generation and a quintessential gentleman. He set himself high standards and was a fine, instinctive leader. For me, his name will remain immortal in the cockpit of a Spitfire and I am certain that our Tribute this year will be a poignant one” Sqdn Ldr Maitland said.