In Memory of Ray Hanna

Renowned Warbirds Display Pilot
28 August 1928 - 2 December 2005

SQUADRON LEADER RAY HANNA, AFC and Bar, died at his home in Switzerland, aged 77. Ray was born in Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand. He was educated at Auckland Grammar School before taking flying lessons in a DH82 Tiger Moth. In 1949 he worked his passage to England by ship to join the Royal Air Force.
 
Ray gained his pilots wings before the demise of powerful piston-engined fighters such as the Tempest, Sea Fury and Beaufighter. Thus began the love affair with these evocative fighters that was to last a lifetime. Posted to No. 79 Squadron in Germany, Ray found himself flying Meteor Jets in the fighter reconnaissance role, one of the most demanding for a singleseat pilot. This gave him the opportunity to indulge in authorized low flying, at which he excelled.
 
A later appointment to an overseas ferry squadron in the 50s gave Ray the chance to fly a variety of jet fighters. He flew nearly all the early British jets including Vampires, Venoms, Attackers, Sea Hawks, Swifts and Javelins. He ferried Hunters from Britain to India and the Far East and on one occasion was returning a Vampire back to Britain when he had an engine failure. Unable to restart it, Ray made a skilful crash-landing close to a railway line. He waited for a passing train, which stopped for him, but the Indian guard refused to let him on because he was unable to pay the fare. The guard eventually accepted Rays watch as payment, scribbled an IOU and allowed him to travel.
 
After qualifying as a flying instructor, Ray became a member of the Meteor aerobatic team at the College of Air Warfare, and in 1965 was selected to join the newly formed Red Arrows Aerobatic Team. Eventually taking over as leader, he spent four years at the helm, the longest of any of its leaders. Ray’s leadership is widely regarded as the factor which made the Arrows the world-renowned team they ultimately became.
 
Shortly before leaving the RAF, Ray had been approached by Sir Adrian Swire with an invitation to fly his recently purchased Spitfire Mk9, serial No. MH434. The association between this man and this machine at airshows will live in the memories of many forever. In 1971 Ray retired from the RAF for a career in civil aviation flying mainly Boeing 707 and the Lockheed L-1011 Tri-star.
 
In 1981, with his only son Mark whom he had taught to fly when he was 16, Ray founded the ‘Old Flying Machine Company’, specializing in the restoration and operation of classic warbirds such as Mustang, Spitfire Kittyhawk and Corsair. In addition to airshow appearances, he and his pilots were in demand by the film industry. Their sequences in the films Empire of the Sun, and Memphis Belle were breathtaking. Steven Spielberg subsequently insisted Ray and his pilots provide the flying elements for his film Saving Private Ryan.
 
Later, Ray established a branch of his Company in New Zealand where his aircraft have made regular appearances in airshows, and in particular Warbirds Over Wanaka. The death of son Mark in Spain in September 1999, while flying a restored Me109 German fighter, was a devastating blow. Ray, however, vowed to continue their joint work, and the Old Flying Machine Company continues to be a major force in the world of warbirds today.
 
Ray Hanna was never afraid to be blunt when the occasion demanded, but his intolerance of unnecessary bureaucracy and anything except the very highest standards, was tempered by his modesty, warmth and approachability. It is appropriate that Sir Tim Wallis, Founder, should have the final word on the involvement of this remarkable man with Warbirds Over Wanaka.
 
“Our association with Ray Hanna began in the mid 1980’s when I introduced myself to Ray at the Old Flying Machine Company at Duxford England to get advice from him on Warbird flying. They where in the middle of filming scenes for the movie Memphis Belle. Following this meeting I became close friends with Ray and Mark Hanna and thus began their long association with Warbirds Over Wanaka.
 
Ray first became involved with Warbirds Over Wanaka in 1990, and his professionalism, expertise and advice were crucial in making our flying formula so successful. We used to plan the flying displays together and I always valued Ray’s advice. At Warbirds Over Wanaka 1992 we had the honour of Ray flying my Spitfire and Mark flying their Messerschmitt which we imported for the weekend. I remember it was truly amazing to watch, and this helped establish Warbirds Over Wanaka as a major event in the Southern Hemisphere.
 
As well as being a world class display pilot at out airshows Ray was also a personal friend for whom I had great admiration.
 
Ray was a very modest man. He has taught and influenced not only myself but so many other pilots who will carry on Ray’s flying skills. I still value his many words of caution and advice which have helped us create such a safe and spectacular event.
 
I personally will miss Ray’s friendship and loyalty. This 2006 airshow will be a fitting tribute to probably the most famous and respected Warbird display pilot in the world."
 
Svetlana Kapanina
FIVE TIMES WOMENS WORLD CHAMPION AEROBATIC PILOT
 
By winning the 2005 World Aerobatic Championship in the female category for the fifth time and finishing fourth overall (including men), Svetlana Kapanina confirmed she was the best female aerobatic pilot of all times.
 
In 1987 Svetlana graduated from medical school as a pharmacist. The following year she started flying in Kurgan and by 1991 was a member of the Russian Aerobatic Joint Crew. By 1995 she had graduated from Kaluga Pilot’s School and although Svetlana never believed she would devote her life to flying, what started out as a hobby has turned into serious work as an aerobatic professional.
 
It has not taken her long to join the ranks of the world’s elite aerobatic pilots. Perhaps her training as a gymnast and the many hours spent on the trampoline have contributed to her success.
 
In 1991, Svetlana was Absolute Champion of Russia and in 1993 won silver at the European Aerobatic Championships, her first international aerobatic contest. She was awarded the medal “ For Service To Motherland” in 1995 and “Award Of Honour” in 2002.
 
To date, Svetlana has been awarded 30 gold medals in World Championships and is the one and only pilot to be four times World Champion , in 1996, 1998, 2001 and 2003. In amongst all this, Svetlana has found time to have a family, being the mother of a four year old son and a 2 year old daughter.
 
Jurgis Kairys
WORLD CHAMPION AEROBATIC PILOT
 
The World Champion aerobatic pilot is back at Warbirds Over Wanaka. Jurgis Kairys from Lithuania, is not just any pilot, but an aircraft engineer who designs his own in order to fly the maneuvers of his dreams.
 
Asked by the Sukhoi Design Bureau in 1982 to assist them in further developing their aerobatic aircraft, Jurgis was instrumental in the design of the SU 26, SU 29 and SU 31 series of aircraft which have dominated the Unlimited World Aerobatic Championships for over two decades.
 
Jurgis’ debut at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004 stunned the crowd with heart stopping maneuvers hitherto unseen in New Zealand. His return to the airshow in 2006 is anticipated with great expectation and enthusiasm. He will fly his SU 26 which is powered by a Russian 400 horsepower PF engine swinging a 2.6 m propeller.
 
Be prepared for vertical climbs off the ground, hanging on the prop 20 metres above the ground, upside down just above the runway and continuous rolls while turning this way and that - Jurgis will stun the crowd again this year with something new, on that you can rely.
 
Welcome back Jurgis.
 
Fraser Briggs

Warbirds 2006 visitors will once again be treated to a top display of model aircraft aerobatics when Fraser Briggs of Hamilton takes to the air on Saturday and Sunday. His four cylinder DA 200 petrol engined Extra 260 model is one third scale and is built of modern composite materials by Fraser’s father Mike. The combination of light weight construction and a powerful engine give an awesome power-to-weight ratio that allows Fraser to perform almost any 3D trick that comes to mind.
 
Fraser, nick-named Bogan, is one of New Zealand’s best model aerobatic pilots and has represented NZ at many overseas tournaments, consistently placing highly in IMAC events in the USA. At the airshow he will be assisted by Mike ‘Baldrick’ Briggs, and Grant ‘Aunty’ Findlay when he flies his routine to music. Also at the Airshow, in the Spitfire pavilion, will be the New Zealand Model Aeronautical Association. Here you can find all the information needed about model flying and how to get into it, and you can also try the model flight simulator on our stand. Aero-modelling has something to offer all ages of New Zealanders so call in and talk to us at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2006.