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Post by novicepilot on Mar 11, 2011 16:06:44 GMT 12
Antipodeanandy, we may well have been standing next to each other. A friend of mine, Stephen Bridgewater, had a Andy from Oz staying with him at that time. We all did Legends plus Old Warden, visited the BBMF at Coningsby, and the Lancaster 'Just Jane'. Are you that Andy? yak2, 115 was the same on the starboard side. Are you thinking of the Fury operated by John Bradshaw around the same time and which had different national markings on each side and on the wings? Photos of the Bradshaw Fury below, the starboard side shot is not clear but you can see the roundel is not Dutch (as it is on the port side), under the wings are Canadian roundels, upper wings roundels were British. Neil   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 11, 2011 18:01:14 GMT 12
Great photos Neil. The P-40E looked so much better in those colours (even though not completely accurate). I wish it would return to the RNZAF colours rather than the ugly Chinese scheme it wears now.
I note one of England's famous historical castles in the background of that last shot. ;D
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Post by yak2 on Mar 11, 2011 19:53:16 GMT 12
Thanks Neil. I recall a UK based Sea Fury that had Dutch markings on one side and RAN the other. Maybe the idea caught on. Great pics BTW. |
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 11, 2011 23:12:14 GMT 12
I'm that Andy. LOL, you're Malcolm's brother!
It's all coming back to me now. You were due to be married and last I heard were moving to NZ. Looks like you made it. Awesome to 'meet' again, mate.
You doing Omaka?
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Post by obiwan27 on Mar 13, 2011 9:48:51 GMT 12
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Post by novicepilot on Mar 14, 2011 15:47:57 GMT 12
Small world! Yep married, had two kids and moved to NZ since we last met. Not sure about Omaka yet, still 50/50, really dependent upon the budget, trying to save for a trip back 'home' next year since Malcolm's getting married. At least he's done the decent thing and booked the wedding for the week after Legends so I can do both! Anyway, before I get into trouble for turning the thread into 'friends reunited' some more photos: These are from the Cranfield Grand Prix Air Races in September 1987. As well as a 'normal airshow' it featured a number of air races including a Harvard race and a Warbird race. The OFMC raced its's Spitfire, P40E, and borrowed Mustang. The Mustang was Stephen Grey's spare Mustang, G-PSID, which Mark had flown earlier in the year during the filming of Empire of the Sun. Also racing was Lindsey Walton's Corsair, the RNHF Sea Fury, and Spencer Flack's Mustang. Spencer won. No nice backgrounds to these shots, unlike obiwan27's great shots, just typical English grey! Ray in MH434 (the ill fated Dutch Dakota Association DC3 behind)  Mark and Mustang G-PSID  The Kittyhawk which was flown by Carl Schofield |
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Post by novicepilot on Mar 14, 2011 15:49:00 GMT 12
Oops forgot the Kittyhawk photo!  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 14, 2011 16:18:00 GMT 12
Great stuff. But how on earth did a Mustang beat a Corsair and a Sea Fury?
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Post by novicepilot on Mar 14, 2011 18:56:18 GMT 12
The Mustang only just beat the Sea Fury. With pylon racing turning technique can be as important as straight line speed. Too much 'g' applied in the turn can lose you vital knots. In reality I suspect none of the aircraft were being flown anywhere near the limit. I do remember that at one point three of the aircraft all arrived at the airfield pylon together resulting in a 'break' that would do a national display team justice as they avoided each other!
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Post by lumpy on Mar 14, 2011 19:50:29 GMT 12
Great stuff. But how on earth did a Mustang beat a Corsair and a Sea Fury? I remember one of the "air races "at one of the Omaka shows .( Think it was Yaks and Nanchangs ). Seems those listening on scanners could hear the pilots talking to each other , with such information as who would take the lead next , or which side they would pass on , etc . Much more for show , than actual racing , but still very very good to watch . |
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 15, 2011 18:10:07 GMT 12
Cheers, Neil, good to be in touch again. Have sent you a PM.
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Post by fauville on Mar 15, 2011 19:43:32 GMT 12
"These are from the Cranfield Grand Prix Air Races in September 1987."
That photo I posted of the Spit, Stang and P-40E formation would have been from the same event.
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Post by novicepilot on Mar 16, 2011 21:13:58 GMT 12
Hi fauville
While I’d agree the formation short is from 1987 I’m afraid I’d disagree with it being from the same event. The Mustang flown by Mark Hanna at the Cranfield event was Stephen Grey’s G-PSID, as in my photo. The Mustang is your photo is the OFMC’s G-HAEC. G-HAEC was marked as ‘Missy Wong from Hong Kong’ and carried kill marks on the canopy frame and ‘tail art’. Both can be seen clearly in your photo. While my photo doesn’t show the rudder it does show the kill marks in a different location. It also lacks the white aerial on the fin that is visible on G-HAEC and has a very prominent walkway on the wing, missing on G-HAEC. I would date it as 1987 however at that was the year that G-HAEC became ‘Missy Wong’ so cannot be earlier and for the 1988 season the tail art had changed to a lady in a sitting position with a red circle background.
Still a good shot though!
Neil
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Post by mumbles on Apr 29, 2011 21:34:35 GMT 12
Mark Hanna about to start up the 109G and looking over his shoulder at Ray flying past in the Spitfire at Wanaka in 1996:  |
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Post by kiwibear on May 4, 2011 9:26:08 GMT 12
So glad you brought this up, time goes so fast I can't believe they have been gone that long! Not my photo, taken at Rays last Duxford, never had good enough gear to get any decent ones when Ray and Mark were flying but I'll never forget their displays. For me this photo seems to say it all, Ray walking to the plane, I can imagine his thoughts were totally focused on what he was about to do, the plane, one of his favourites I believe, waiting to be guided aloft to where its true beauty and rage could be displayed to us all. RIP Ray & Mark we miss you both.  |
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Post by b10m on May 11, 2011 9:44:18 GMT 12
I cannot help but think that now the pair of them are together again their skys will be forever filled with their displays.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 13, 2012 23:32:57 GMT 12
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Post by JDK on Feb 13, 2012 23:53:10 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2012 0:03:23 GMT 12
Thanks James, great to see that.
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Post by spitfire14 on Feb 14, 2012 12:22:32 GMT 12
Dave,
This is a great thread and keeps the memory of two brilliant aviators and people alive!
I never had the pleasure of meeting Mark but saw him fly on several occasions- breathtaking; likewise Ray. However, I did meet Ray at the 2003 Ardmore Airshow and he signed my souvenir booklet, as did Keith Skilling, both through gentlemen.
My favourite memories of Ray and Mark Hanna would have to be at the 1992 Mangere Airshow. My dad pulled into the carpark at the terminal to get cash at an ATM and next thing I look up to see the Zero replica (Ray) being chased around the tower by Mark in the P-40. Also the 1996 dogfight between Ray in the Spitfire and Mark in a 109 powered by a Daimler-benz engine at Wanaka and Mark flying a Polikarpov at Wanaka in 1998.
I have to agree with you though Dave, all these people on the Flypast forum arguing about who the 'best' is seems pointless.
There is no doubt, Ray and Mark Hanna were amongst the finest and are both hugely missed right around the world- they seemed to have a knack of flying the planes with passion and power but keep it safe and looking after the aircraft. More importantly, both had great people skills, able to relate to young and old alike.
But from what I have seen, the pilots around nowadays are just as passionate and each brings a unique set of skills to the airshow circuit. I remember seeing Nigel Lamb and Lee Proudfoot flying at Wanaka in 2004 and thought their displays were every bit as good as the Hannas'. And who remembers Lee flying the Spitfire in formation with the Sopwith Camel? If that didn't require skill, passion and dedication, then I don't know what does!
And yes while Keith Skilling may be one of the finest around today, people should come to New Zealand, we have some awesome pilots, who are passionate, dedicated, skilled, safety conscious and I admire all of them greatly.
Let me give you an example. Sqn Ldr Sean Perrett. Brendon Deere, who obviously admires his uncle and what he did and the type of aircraft he did it in and understnads the engineering side of things, has put strict operating limits on his Spitfire. This shows passion and respect. Sean then flies it with great skill, showing the same passion and respect and puts on a beautiful display.
Also, Liz Needham. An inspiration to other women. Huge experience in GA and airlines; now rated on Harvard (flies in Roaring Forties), P-40 and Spitfire (as far as I know one of only three women in the world rated on Spitfires, the others being Carolyn Grace and Ana Walker).
Don't forget, these pilots have to spend their own money and time and do it because they want to....they are passionate and skilled and it shows through in their flying.
And those of you who complain of 'dull' displays; for me the main thing is that the aircraft are flying, not in a museum. Just to see and hear them is enough.
Thank you Ray and Mark for the memories and thank you to all those, here and overseas, who carry on their legacy....you are all heroes in my book!
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