This man was nothing short of a display genius. I watched him perform an impromptu display at Kidlington, a site he was unlikely to be familiar with, but still impressive even if he was. Time after time, he found sufficiently long and suitably aligned depressions in the surrounding terrain to become "invisible" within at extremely low level, before surging suddenly into view in soaring climbs, at all times with the position of the informal gathering of fellow (but much lesser) pilots in mind. As he followed the curving taxiway I was stood to the side of, he offered me an unexpected view inside the cockpit, his left wingtip low enough to slice me in half had he been not that much closer. All performed with smooth, graceful precision, as if in slow motion, and at all times revealing an astonishing understanding of what showed off the Spitfire at its best, both visually and aurally. What an awesome talent.
I was very lucky to see Ray flying MH434 at the 2005 Flying Legends Airshow at Duxford. Sadly, nobody knew at the time that it would be his last appearance at Legends
Ray Hanna was a legend... mere words can't describe it, I'll always remember when he flew a Spitfire at very low level pass and spooked the cameraman plus the presenter Alain de Cadenet ... literally 6ft... that's one to watch on a full screen with the sound to max)
I recently bought a large print (3f x 2ft) of a camera shot from that day...he was around 6ft of the ground..the prop looks to be about 18" from the ground 😮.... got hung up in my hallway...just a brilliant picture..and one hell of a pilot...
I 've just read that Ray died in Switzerland in 2005, aged 78, of natural causes. But his son Mark, had died in September 1999. in Spain, after crashing his plane on landing. He died from his injuries. They are buried alongside each other, in England.
Fond memories of seeing Ray Hanna disappear in the valley at the Rochester airshow then roar up from nowhere. The best Spitfire display pilot I've ever seen. Back in the day with less restrictions, Ray would always leave a crowd tingling and with beating chests. A fabulous entertainer.
I was very lucky. My dad was stationed at Colerne and before the annual air show, Ray Hanna would practise over the airfield. I used to lie in the long grass watching Hastings and other aircraft and one day, playing cricket for Colerne, 74 Sqn decided to interrupt the match by low level antics with their lightnings. Ray Hanna's party piece would go over low over Bath and enter the runway at Colerne about 6 feet over the perimeter fence, full throttle along the runway and then start his demonstration. Where I was lucky, waving at him like the teenager I was, got a slow flyby, flaps, undercarriage down, canopy down and a corresponding wave from RH. An amazing man. Sadly missed.
I first saw Ray Hanna flying MH434 at Biggin Hill in September 1971, and his demonstration of the Spitfire was without parallel then...seeing him disappearing down "the valley" and rocketing up was unforgettable. A Hanna display was always, always a thing of beauty and he and Mark are sorely missed. Only Neil Williams in Spitfire Vc AR501 at Old Warden came close. I am privileged to have seen them both.
Ray Hanna was the most gifted pilot of any generation in my opinion, and MH434 was his best friend; they were at one with each other - their trust was impeccable. I’ve often wondered what MH434 has thought since Ray, passed... I met Ray several times over the years at Duxford and other airfields and he was always a very humble and unassuming man. I always treated him with respect and with none of the ‘hero worship, bullshit’ that some people like to do... so much so that the year before he died at Duxford’s “Flying Legends” airshow I was granted with a “Ah, Simon, how are you, you keeping well?” Honestly and humbly, that meant the world to me. Memories of the greatest ever flyer; his infinity with sky and earth are unmatched. RIP Ray Hanna, I will see you again one day. Blue skies my friend.
Ray was a gifted pilot and MH 434 was his soul mate . Mark was a natural and he could fly MH like it was part of his heart and soul . We were lucky and blessed to have seen both of these gifted pilots in their element ! And of course MH 434 was a core part of their exploits and talents .
I learnt to fly at Cambridge in the year they made "The Battle of Britain". Many were based down the road at Duxford and it was amazing being in the air at the same time, most of the German planes were flown by Spanish air force guys where they were still in services. We met some of them one night in the mess, one, full colonel complete with scars, was an ace from the Civil War, quite a character!
Agreed.....so gutted I've never had the chance to see a mosquito in the air....what a machine that was.....when you see the WW2 footage of the low level bombing runs over Europe you get a true handle of what a remarkable plane it was and of course the skill and bravery of the crew.
@Rory Forbes Much agreed. For versatility, capability and reliability the Mosquito was a very valuable, outstanding airplane. Its design, production and entry into service was due to great vision, perseverance and resourcefulness and it played a pivotal role in defeating Nazis Germany.
I think if the late Ray Hanna had been a spitfire pilot during the war, he would have scored a good few kills. He was an amazing pilot. RIP Ray and Mark
I recall as a young boy going to biggin hill and seeing ray hannah. He'd fly the red arrows first, then later jump into the spitfire. Oh the good old days.
When he comes close to the ground you notice a slight bump and the plane is instantly level then maintains for 2 seconds before climbing out. He's using the air cushion known as "Ground Effect", a cushion of air equal to half the wingspan or about 20 feet. Most pilots use it for landing flare and takeoff assistance, this pilot uses it to level a 20,000 pound aircraft before it turns into the Worlds most Expensive Rototiller....😁👍
@Jack Tangles We factored in the typical 2G pull to level at that speed. 2'X10,000 = 20,000. But Ground Effect works on ALL aircraft including the Largest Airbus carrier that the tires alone exceed 20,000 pounds. So Sorry that we weren't more specific with our calculations, but now if we don't have the Exact number...We'll know who to ask. Thank you for that invaluable information! The World will sleep better tonight knowing those exact weights from your expertise! You're The Best!!!
That brought back some memories of 1980's Duxford, Ray, and Mark. Ray was arguably the finest display pilot ever, the Spit is certainly the most beautiful aeroplane, and I now know that there are six desperately sad people out there who failed to appreciate this combination of genius and beauty.
The Spitfire was massively overrated. It was notorious as being an absolute evil plane to control in a dog fight, yawed around all over the place and the engine lost fuel supply during high speed turns. It was over shadowed in terms of enemy kills by the Hurricane. But the one thing the spitfire was, it was beautiful and a great morale booster and recruiting tool. Smoke and mirrors
I see MH434 sitting quietly in the hangar when I'm able to get to Duxford.Every one is very special of course, but this Spit was something else altogether. Ray Hanna was a part of it and it was a part of him. Together they did amazing things.
I went there recently. My last 'doing's with Ray and this aircraft were at Biggin Hill in 1972 when I was detailed to look after him and his aircraft, marshalling and refuelling. Not knowing more than what comes in an Airfix kit, Ray showed me what I needed to know and I refuelled him three times. Sadly I didn't have any photos taken (as I was working), but it's a really fond memory. He was so understanding, helpful and modest but had a real 'twinkle' in his eye when there were a couple of airshow 'no-shows' and he was asked to display the Spit again (and again). He seemed to love doing it as much as we loved to watch. But watching him obey my marshalling signals coming towards me (standing out to the side so he could see me) was quite special.
I have spent many a happy hour reading and viewing the memories of the young men and women who flew the Spitfire. They all have one thing in common. They all said that flying the child of R.J. Mitchell was a case of "your thought was the Spitfire's command." However, it was a bugger to taxi.
Wonderful to watch. I live in Lincolnshire so occasionally see Spitfires and older stuff flying over. Not seen the big Lancaster for a while but it's been over plenty of times. Have also had the pleasure, and I mean pleasure of the Vulcan flying right over us a few times. You could always hear it coming and the last time I ran out the back door to see it moving away with the four engine trails behind. Thunderous noise. Bloody marvellous. Come on RAF keep the Red Arrows here!!!
I saw this guy several time at goodwood he never ceased to amaze me , my lasting memory was when he few down the stat finish straight at very low level
Saw Ray and his son Mark at Duxford many many times.My father ex RAF said he was the most skilled pilot he had ever seen and was revered all over the world.
I remember seeing Ray Hanna at an air display many years ago. To watch him fly was a joy to behold, especially when he side slipped the Spitfire on final approach then kicked it straight at the last moment. Man and machine as one.
My 95 year old grandma was 14 at the start of the war and was living near Lincoln so knows the sound of the merlin well. Even now so still recognises the sound.
The sound of a spitfire or a p 51 is unmistakable I’m a yank got to try and sit in a P 51 many years ago at an air show and couldn’t fit in tight quarters
I lost count how many times I watched him and his spitfire create magic over the many displays I went to. That sound was something you will always remember.
RIP RAy and eternal blue skies. An extremely talented pilot honed by years of RAF service including his leadership off the Red Arrows. Also an absolute gentleman. Sorely missed on the dislay circuit as is Mark. They made a formidable duo.
There is a old documentary in B&W, made during WW2, showing worker's gathering the corn in a hill-top wheatfield, and a Spitfire Zooming up from the Cornfields below, as if it has come up out of the ground. I'm sure that Ray was recreating that great scene , here.
Superb pilot, will never see pilots these days being allowed fly the way he did at airshows. Saw him many times displaying different aircraft. One of my most memorable was him displaying the corsair at Biggin Hill.
The merlin engine is special.Some years ago two Lancaster bombers, a Spitfire and a Hurrican flew over my house. The sound of the engines was incredible. I am lucky to live under a flight path that display aircraft use. We also get lots of Chinooks, but no commercial airliners.
Agreed.... but to me, it is almost a tie with PW R-2800... or the Allison... or the...., but yes, the Merlin is gorgeous... especially when wrapped into a Spit.
@@richardbrooks50 Thought it was the other way round. The Packard engines fitted to early Mustang's didn't give very good performance. The Merlin made the Mustang to be a good WW2 fighter.
NOBODY does it like the man, hard and fast like it was designed to do.. Nothing better to listen too than a Merlin getting some serious stick, no messing, full tilt boogie.. XXX!!
@@kevinburns5762 so it's never been restored, no but it will have been stripped down and rebuilt many times over. Parts & panels will have been removed & repaired or replaced as required, and I doubt if the engine is original. Trigger's Broom springs to mind.
vr666m1 so fuckin what it’s still beautiful and will still be infinitely more beautiful than you when your 80 years old no matter how many times it’s been stripped or painted.
@@vr666m1 That applies to any aircraft that's not brand new. You must lead a really bitter life if all you can do is carp over a comment that most people instinctively understand.
I recall seeing him at White Waltham in somewhere are 68-71 in the days when they could fly over the crowd. He flew directly towards us and was so low the aircraft was partly in the dip of the field. He pulled up at the last minute and was about 10ft over our heads. My mother took a photo on her instamtic 110 and we only got half a wing in it was so close!
Ray was a great pilot ! The only other person I've seen fly a Spitfire low level like this was no other Wing Commander BobbyGibbes!! From the grey nurse squadron 457 raaf 80 wing !! May u guys All rest in peace & thank you for your efforts!!❤❤😢😮
I watched a TH-cam video yesterday of a house in Poland with a comlpete spitfire aircraft sitting in his back garden . Yes a complete untouched plane . Guns attached and all . No damage . Polish insignias on fuselage
My great uncle said Spitfires never scared him. Typhoons, Beaufighters, and British artillery scared him. He said they were all terrifyingly accurate and you seldom heard them coming.
After letting him take off before me at Booker, my reward was to be told to "line up and hold" on the runway. He then did a quick circuit, and a beat up! He passed me, with a mere few feet between our wing tips, and I swear his prop was less than a foot clear of the runway!!! Right place right time, I've always been lucky.
Adrian Swire entrusted Ray with the spit many years ago, he flew full aerobatics at airshows when the only others flown by the BoB Memorial flight only did flypasts, awesome man in an awesome machine, and one that actually shot down an enemy in ww2 (Henry Lardner - Burke pilot)
![ว้าว!ลุงบีมแบกทองมารับขวัญหลานกันยกบ้าน [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.49 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Osihq1OAs-4/mqdefault.jpg)
This man was nothing short of a display genius. I watched him perform an impromptu display at Kidlington, a site he was unlikely to be familiar with, but still impressive even if he was. Time after time, he found sufficiently long and suitably aligned depressions in the surrounding terrain to become "invisible" within at extremely low level, before surging suddenly into view in soaring climbs, at all times with the position of the informal gathering of fellow (but much lesser) pilots in mind. As he followed the curving taxiway I was stood to the side of, he offered me an unexpected view inside the cockpit, his left wingtip low enough to slice me in half had he been not that much closer. All performed with smooth, graceful precision, as if in slow motion, and at all times revealing an astonishing understanding of what showed off the Spitfire at its best, both visually and aurally. What an awesome talent.
I was very lucky to see Ray flying MH434 at the 2005 Flying Legends Airshow at Duxford. Sadly, nobody knew at the time that it would be his last appearance at Legends
Ray Hanna was a legend... mere words can't describe it, I'll always remember when he flew a Spitfire at very low level pass and spooked the cameraman plus the presenter Alain de Cadenet ... literally 6ft... that's one to watch on a full screen with the sound to max)
6 ft i think it's more like 4 foot 😅
Alain shout "F*ck Me" has me laughing every time.
I recently bought a large print (3f x 2ft) of a camera shot from that day...he was around 6ft of the ground..the prop looks to be about 18" from the ground 😮.... got hung up in my hallway...just a brilliant picture..and one hell of a pilot...
I 've just read that Ray died in Switzerland in 2005, aged 78, of natural causes. But his son Mark, had died in September 1999. in Spain, after crashing his plane on landing. He died from his injuries. They are buried alongside each other, in England.
Unfortunately Ray Hanna died from complications with an aneurysm in his brain.
R. I. P.
Mark died flying an Me109 when it wing stalled turning to land.
Sad. Killed by a 109.
@@falconeaterf15 I saw Mark fly the 109 just a week before at Goodwood. Also saw Ray fly 30 ft down the start finish straight there in 98
Fond memories of seeing Ray Hanna disappear in the valley at the Rochester airshow then roar up from nowhere. The best Spitfire display pilot I've ever seen. Back in the day with less restrictions, Ray would always leave a crowd tingling and with beating chests. A fabulous entertainer.
MH434 & Ray Hanna. A combination that always pleased the crowds. The spirit of Ray is still with this legendary spit.
I could watch and listen to this all day.
I was very lucky. My dad was stationed at Colerne and before the annual air show, Ray Hanna would practise over the airfield. I used to lie in the long grass watching Hastings and other aircraft and one day, playing cricket for Colerne, 74 Sqn decided to interrupt the match by low level antics with their lightnings. Ray Hanna's party piece would go over low over Bath and enter the runway at Colerne about 6 feet over the perimeter fence, full throttle along the runway and then start his demonstration. Where I was lucky, waving at him like the teenager I was, got a slow flyby, flaps, undercarriage down, canopy down and a corresponding wave from RH. An amazing man. Sadly missed.
I first saw Ray Hanna flying MH434 at Biggin Hill in September 1971, and his demonstration of the Spitfire was without parallel then...seeing him disappearing down "the valley" and rocketing up was unforgettable. A Hanna display was always, always a thing of beauty and he and Mark are sorely missed. Only Neil Williams in Spitfire Vc AR501 at Old Warden came close. I am privileged to have seen them both.
I could listen to that engine noise all day not get bored.
What? no loud music or commentary drowning out the Merlin? Upvoted!! :)
The merlin engine is just a one off piece of magnificent engineering that I could listen to all day
Ray Hanna was the most gifted pilot of any generation in my opinion, and MH434 was his best friend; they were at one with each other - their trust was impeccable. I’ve often wondered what MH434 has thought since Ray, passed...
I met Ray several times over the years at Duxford and other airfields and he was always a very humble and unassuming man. I always treated him with respect and with none of the ‘hero worship, bullshit’ that some people like to do... so much so that the year before he died at Duxford’s “Flying Legends” airshow I was granted with a “Ah, Simon, how are you, you keeping well?” Honestly and humbly, that meant the world to me. Memories of the greatest ever flyer; his infinity with sky and earth are unmatched. RIP Ray Hanna, I will see you again one day. Blue skies my friend.
What an absolute LEGEND he was one of the best pilots to ever get in a aircraft wonderful man missed deeply R.I.P RAY AND MARK ❤️
Ray was a gifted pilot and MH 434 was his soul mate . Mark was a natural and he could fly MH like it was part of his heart and soul . We were lucky and blessed to have seen both of these gifted pilots in their element ! And of course MH 434 was a core part of their exploits and talents .
I learnt to fly at Cambridge in the year they made "The Battle of Britain". Many were based down the road at Duxford and it was amazing being in the air at the same time, most of the German planes were flown by Spanish air force guys where they were still in services. We met some of them one night in the mess, one, full colonel complete with scars, was an ace from the Civil War, quite a character!
A stimulating experience for sure. I often wonder how these guys coped with peace time.
The one and only Ray Hannah. Fantastic pilot so in tune with his machine.
Just wonderful to watch a master at work and serious play.
So sad hes gone.
BUT NEVER EVER FORGOTTEN.
PER ARDUA AD ASTRA
Nothing more beautiful in the air than the Spitfire......well then there’s the Mosquito!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
@Rory Forbes Indeed the Mosquito never got the recognition for what it did, so many variants and yet barely any of the public even knew it existed.
Agreed.....so gutted I've never had the chance to see a mosquito in the air....what a machine that was.....when you see the WW2 footage of the low level bombing runs over Europe you get a true handle of what a remarkable plane it was and of course the skill and bravery of the crew.
@Rory Forbes The Mosquito entered service late 1941.
@Rory Forbes Much agreed. For versatility, capability and reliability the Mosquito was a very valuable, outstanding airplane. Its design, production and entry into service was due to great vision, perseverance and resourcefulness and it played a pivotal role in defeating Nazis Germany.
Mustang P51
Ray Hanna & Alex Henshaw.. both absolute masters of the Spit display, and sadly we are now without both..
I think if the late Ray Hanna had been a spitfire pilot during the war, he would have scored a good few kills. He was an amazing pilot. RIP Ray and Mark
Ray knew my grandad and he was a humble and dedicated man to this amazing piece of engineering.. best there was
I recall as a young boy going to biggin hill and seeing ray hannah. He'd fly the red arrows first, then later jump into the spitfire. Oh the good old days.
When he comes close to the ground you notice a slight bump and the plane is instantly level then maintains for 2 seconds before climbing out. He's using the air cushion known as "Ground Effect", a cushion of air equal to half the wingspan or about 20 feet. Most pilots use it for landing flare and takeoff assistance, this pilot uses it to level a 20,000 pound aircraft before it turns into the Worlds most Expensive Rototiller....😁👍
@Jack Tangles We factored in the typical 2G pull to level at that speed. 2'X10,000 = 20,000. But Ground Effect works on ALL aircraft including the Largest Airbus carrier that the tires alone exceed 20,000 pounds. So Sorry that we weren't more specific with our calculations, but now if we don't have the Exact number...We'll know who to ask.
Thank you for that invaluable information!
The World will sleep better tonight knowing those exact weights from your expertise!
You're The Best!!!
Ray Hanna, the dude could take off, stow his landing gear and descend to cruising altitude. absolute legend and sorely missed.
That brought back some memories of 1980's Duxford, Ray, and Mark. Ray was arguably the finest display pilot ever, the Spit is certainly the most beautiful aeroplane, and I now know that there are six desperately sad people out there who failed to appreciate this combination of genius and beauty.
It’s still the best looking aircraft ever
Well the spitfire has nicer curves but the mustang is fitter...
@09fx ¿ Spitfire > Mustang ;)
Haven't any people ever seen a Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft they are beautiful
No love for the Corsair?
The Spitfire was massively overrated. It was notorious as being an absolute evil plane to control in a dog fight, yawed around all over the place and the engine lost fuel supply during high speed turns. It was over shadowed in terms of enemy kills by the Hurricane.
But the one thing the spitfire was, it was beautiful and a great morale booster and recruiting tool.
Smoke and mirrors
Poetry in motion, man and machine.🤗
The absolutely awesome 'Spitfire' - what a sound, unmistakable!
I see MH434 sitting quietly in the hangar when I'm able to get to Duxford.Every one is very special of course, but this Spit was something else altogether. Ray Hanna was a part of it and it was a part of him. Together they did amazing things.
I went there recently. My last 'doing's with Ray and this aircraft were at Biggin Hill in 1972 when I was detailed to look after him and his aircraft, marshalling and refuelling.
Not knowing more than what comes in an Airfix kit, Ray showed me what I needed to know and I refuelled him three times. Sadly I didn't have any photos taken (as I was working), but it's a really fond memory.
He was so understanding, helpful and modest but had a real 'twinkle' in his eye when there were a couple of airshow 'no-shows' and he was asked to display the Spit again (and again).
He seemed to love doing it as much as we loved to watch. But watching him obey my marshalling signals coming towards me (standing out to the side so he could see me) was quite special.
i hope this "great old plane" does no just sit and go to waste. There must be someone who loves it????
Just so Awesome ! 'Poetry-in-motion '
I have spent many a happy hour reading and viewing the memories of the young men and women who flew the Spitfire. They all have one thing in common. They all said that flying the child of
R.J. Mitchell was a case of "your thought was the Spitfire's command."
However, it was a bugger to taxi.
That's because it was angry about being on the ground.
No one flew a spitfire display better than Ray hanna. Talk about low level
Look up jerry billing mk923. Ray Hanna is definitely not afraid to fly a spit.
Search Alex Henshaw!
m.th-cam.com/video/nCmzYccyBYM/w-d-xo.html
@@threepot Thank you!
Hold my beer!
Beautiful machine and flying ability, I’m loving the nearly ripe Corn too.
Wonderful to watch. I live in Lincolnshire so occasionally see Spitfires and older stuff flying over. Not seen the big Lancaster for a while but it's been over plenty of times. Have also had the pleasure, and I mean pleasure of the Vulcan flying right over us a few times. You could always hear it coming and the last time I ran out the back door to see it moving away with the four engine trails behind. Thunderous noise. Bloody marvellous. Come on RAF keep the Red Arrows here!!!
Ray Hanna and the magnificent Spitfire. Two Legends in unison ✌️👍
I saw this guy several time at goodwood he never ceased to amaze me , my lasting memory was when he few down the stat finish straight at very low level
When Ray Hanna flew the Spitfire it wasn't so much he got into it, it was like he become one with it.
MH434 and Ray Hannah were like a well oiled machine - He'd fly it hard and it never failed him.
Sorely missed.
Need to send him back to fight the 109 during the battle of Britain.
Saw him fly a Spitfire at 1Sq open day at RAF Whittering. When I was on the station flight
Ray was just different from all the other mortals when he strapped on a spit. RIP.
Bloody fantastic!!
Every time I see a you tube video with a picture of a Spitfire I find I need to click on it.
What a machine!
Ray Hanna and the Spitfire, blurring the line between flesh and metal, a man born, a machine built and a universe bent on making them one.
Nicely written!
@@WingsTVChannel Thank you!
Saw Ray and his son Mark at Duxford many many times.My father ex RAF said he was the most skilled pilot he had ever seen and was revered all over the world.
Mark died in September 1999, in Spain, crashing on landing
Philip Croft yes I remember it well he was flying an ME109
Legend!. Nothing more graceful than a Spit going along flat chat!. Watching him fly, man and machine in perfect sync!. 🙂 Nuff said.
I remember seeing Ray Hanna at an air display many years ago. To watch him fly was a joy to behold, especially when he side slipped the Spitfire on final approach then kicked it straight at the last moment. Man and machine as one.
My 95 year old grandma was 14 at the start of the war and was living near Lincoln so knows the sound of the merlin well. Even now so still recognises the sound.
The snarl of that merlin is epic
The sound of a Merlin makes the hair on my arms stand up. It also does something to my eyes as well!😂
I bet it makes them leak.
@@timmason7430 it does😭
@@kevinburns5762 it does the same to me too.
That sound!!!
Great vid. Thankyou.
The best with the best. No more words needed.
The sound of a spitfire or a p 51 is unmistakable I’m a yank got to try and sit in a P 51 many years ago at an air show and couldn’t fit in tight quarters
Brilliant Display an as the awesome video shows that England was greatful in having a Aircraft to stop any invasion of the Country
I lost count how many times I watched him and his spitfire create magic over the many displays I went to. That sound was something you will always remember.
Lovely aircraft great pilot ray hanna
The shape of the wings. Never to be seen in aviation again. But the best. Like on the back, of Gods last angel.
The lady of the skies and the Mosquito was the Big Brother of the skies. Both beautiful machines.
RIP RAy and eternal blue skies. An extremely talented pilot honed by years of RAF service including his leadership off the Red Arrows. Also an absolute gentleman. Sorely missed on the dislay circuit as is Mark. They made a formidable duo.
Just beautiful
There is a old documentary in B&W, made during WW2, showing worker's gathering the corn in a hill-top wheatfield, and a Spitfire Zooming up from the Cornfields below, as if it has come up out of the ground. I'm sure that Ray was recreating that great scene , here.
Superb pilot, will never see pilots these days being allowed fly the way he did at airshows. Saw him many times displaying different aircraft. One of my most memorable was him displaying the corsair at Biggin Hill.
Fantastic aeroplane , excellent Pilot .
The merlin engine is special.Some years ago two Lancaster bombers, a Spitfire and a Hurrican flew over my house. The sound of the engines was incredible. I am lucky to live under a flight path that display aircraft use. We also get lots of Chinooks, but no commercial airliners.
Bloody hell well flown !!! What a legend ray was x
The best sound in the world - a Merlin engine.
Agreed.... but to me, it is almost a tie with PW R-2800... or the Allison... or the...., but yes, the Merlin is gorgeous... especially when wrapped into a Spit.
Darrell Jourdan also fitted to Mustangs in the early days too
@@richardbrooks50 Thought it was the other way round. The Packard engines fitted to early Mustang's didn't give very good performance. The Merlin made the Mustang to be a good WW2 fighter.
Sound of freedom
I would have to say the griffon engine
NOBODY does it like the man, hard and fast like it was designed to do.. Nothing better to listen too than a Merlin getting some serious stick, no messing, full tilt boogie.. XXX!!
This Spitfire is completely original, and has never been fully rebuilt
bigjump alan rubbish.
@@MJWVI ummmm.....actually not rubbish. MH434 has never been rebuilt, just maintained. It's one of the oldest flying original spitfires left 👍
@@kevinburns5762 so it's never been restored, no but it will have been stripped down and rebuilt many times over. Parts & panels will have been removed & repaired or replaced as required, and I doubt if the engine is original.
Trigger's Broom springs to mind.
vr666m1 so fuckin what it’s still beautiful and will still be infinitely more beautiful than you when your 80 years old no matter how many times it’s been stripped or painted.
@@vr666m1 That applies to any aircraft that's not brand new. You must lead a really bitter life if all you can do is carp over a comment that most people instinctively understand.
Phenomenal footage to say the least!
a master at work.
Wspaniała maszyna + kunszt pilota i oto cały efekt , super !
I will never get tied of that engine sound
Wow....the most amazing hedge cutter ever. What an aircraft.
One of the most beautiful planes ever built
Damn, that looks like fun! Sounds great too. They don't make 'em like that any more.
70 Farmers disliked the fact that he didn't bother cutting the hay while he was down there..
It looks incredibly maneuverable
I recall seeing him at White Waltham in somewhere are 68-71 in the days when they could fly over the crowd. He flew directly towards us and was so low the aircraft was partly in the dip of the field. He pulled up at the last minute and was about 10ft over our heads. My mother took a photo on her instamtic 110 and we only got half a wing in it was so close!
AND GOD SAID " I HAVE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR YOU,,,,"
Those Merlin engines just sound so good. Goosebumps all over.
What anamazing piece of aviation and war history right there mate!
Ray was a great pilot ! The only other person I've seen fly a Spitfire low level like this was no other Wing Commander BobbyGibbes!! From the grey nurse squadron 457 raaf 80 wing !! May u guys All rest in peace & thank you for your efforts!!❤❤😢😮
That looks like a practice manouvre for Winston Bridge nr Darlington . Moggys "That bloody bridge" in Piece of Cake . RIP ray and Mark x
Was a great series.. "it's a bloody piss pot sir"
Awesome sound 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Man o man would loved to have been stood underneath at 1:42 what a pilot Ray was
Sat down maybe, unless you needed a haircut haha
Told the misses i was just going to listen to some music , so i listened to this , music to my ears anyway !!
I watched a TH-cam video yesterday of a house in Poland with a comlpete spitfire aircraft sitting in his back garden . Yes a complete untouched plane . Guns attached and all . No damage . Polish insignias on fuselage
th-cam.com/video/B7THMCztSTo/w-d-xo.html
Awesome 😊✈
Good God Protects & Blessed Ray Hanna & the Mark IX Supermarine Spitfire MH434 ... 🕯🌷🕊♥️🌍
The late great ray hannah sadley missed and his son mark great pilots seen them flying a few times will never forget them.
He nearly harvested those crops with his prop he was so low. Awesome display:-)
Away back in 1980 I got the chance to sit in the cockpit of MH434. Was that really 40 years ago? Still seems like yesterday.
A low level flying genius.
My favourite air plane the best air plane is the world the sound of the SPITFIRE,,,,
Can you even begin to think of a poor German soldier pooping his pants at seeing and hearing that coming at you?
My great uncle said Spitfires never scared him. Typhoons, Beaufighters, and British artillery scared him. He said they were all terrifyingly accurate and you seldom heard them coming.
if that doesn't give your blood goosebumps i don't what will. one of the best looking planes in the world.
That's Cheeky flying right down in the wind on the deck ... Balls of Brass ... BIG Balls 💪🏻
After letting him take off before me at Booker, my reward was to be told to "line up and hold" on the runway. He then did a quick circuit, and a beat up!
He passed me, with a mere few feet between our wing tips, and I swear his prop was less than a foot clear of the runway!!! Right place right time, I've always been lucky.
One word.......Perfection
Adrian Swire entrusted Ray with the spit many years ago, he flew full aerobatics at airshows when the only others flown by the BoB Memorial flight only did flypasts, awesome man in an awesome machine, and one that actually shot down an enemy in ww2 (Henry Lardner - Burke pilot)
I can understand how difficult it would be to shoot at and hit this aircraft from the ground.