Ray Hanna: topdressing pilot?

[ZacYates]

Hi all,
The Vintage Aviation Echo is running a five part series of major articles about Mark Hanna. Part one (link) includes this intriguing snippet regarding his father Ray:

Returning to New Zealand with Mark, he found few aviation jobs available and gave topdressing a try - "I just couldn't stand it,, so after a year I contacted the RAF attache in Wellington to see if they'd have me back".

No dates are given but it seems to have been around 1962-63. I said on Twitter I'd be very interested to learn more and writer Elliot Marsh got in touch with Mark's sister Sarah for more detail. Unfortunately all she knows is that it was in the North Island. Elliot said they're planning a similar series about Ray so will be trying to research this further.

Does this ring any bells with anyone? I'd never heard this about Ray before.

[Dave Homewood]

Yes I read that too the other day and it was news to me. I asked Elliot about it, and he was going to look out the details.

Surely Mr Deerness will have all the details.

I was also very interested to learn that Mark lived here in New Zealand for that year, and went to school here. I'd not known that.

It's a stonking good article. I cannot wait for the rest of the series. Elliot does terrific work.

[ZacYates]

Apr 23, 2021 12:36:31 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Surely Mr Deerness will have all the details.

We're in touch about it, and it was news to him!

Apr 23, 2021 12:36:31 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

It's a stonking good article. I cannot wait for the rest of the series. Elliot does terrific work.

That he does! I've really enjoyed several of their articles and I was counting down to this series starting. Such an in-depth look at Mark's life is long overdue in my opinion and, going by the first installment, it's exactly what I was hoping for.