1. Ray Hanna founded The Old Flying Machine Company, which commercially flies Second World War vintage fighter aircraft at air displays around the world, and for television and cinematic productions.
15 Facts About Ray Hanna
1. 2.
Ray Hanna was a Spitfire display pilot in the latter half of the 20th century, noted for his daring aerobatic stunt flying.
3.
Ray Hanna went on to fly the Hawker Tempest, Hawker Sea Fury and Bristol Beaufighter.
4.
On 2 May 1951, Cadet Pilot Ray Hanna was awarded a service commission with the rank of pilot officer to date back to 9 May 1949.
5.
Ray Hanna flew a number of early British jet aircraft in this period, including the de Havilland Vampire, de Havilland Venom, Supermarine Attacker, Hawker Sea Hawk, Supermarine Swift and Gloster Javelin.
6.
Ray Hanna 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.
7.
In 1965, Ray Hanna became a member of the Red Arrows display team as 'Red 3'.
8.
Ray 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.
9.
Ray Hanna was promoted to squadron leader on 1 January 1968, and was retired from the RAF at his own request on 14 May 1971.
10.
Ray Hanna flew his Spitfire under the bridge at Winston, near Barnard Castle, for a scene in Piece of Cake.
11.
On 18 July 1996, in a notorious piece of flying as part of the filming for a television series entitled The Air Show, for a programme about the history of the Spitfire, Ray Hanna flew one across the grounds of Duxford Aerodrome at deck level to the rear of Alain de Cadenet presenting, in a prearranged stunt that was a little lower than had been anticipated.
12.
Ray Hanna flew Spitfire MH434 for a final time before a crowd at the Duxford Autumn Airshow on 16 October 2005.
13.
Ray Hanna married Eunice Rigby in 1957, and had two children, Mark and Sarah.
14.
Ray Hanna died in his 78th year in Switzerland of natural causes on 1 December 2005.
15.
Ray Hanna's grave is next to that of his son's, each marked with headstones shaped like an aeroplane propeller blade.