16 Sqn Wartime Pilots and Mark Hanna_Duxford_1996

On 19th September 1996, 16 Sqn wartime members held their first reunion at Duxford. Mark Hanna was due to fly Spitfire PL965 (operated by 16 Sqn during the second world war in 1945). Due to servicing schedules this was not possible, so Mark flew MH434. Afterwards he spoke with some of 16 Sqn's pilots and groundcrew. Three of the pilots seen, flew PL965 in 1945 and each of them was awarded the DFC and one was also awarded the CdeG. Another one of the pilots was shot down by a FW190 and the other pilot had had to bale out of his PR Spitfire due to an engine fire over the Dutch/German border!

[@brittenv1000]

Ray and Mark. Never forgotten 👍

[@lawrencemartin1113]

As many of us watching this did, I grew up watching Ray and Mark flying MH434 and other wonderful aircraft. So many wonderful and very happy memories as a small boy, being on a crowd line with my father, watching some brilliant flying. Then years on, I was so proud to be able to stand on those same crowd lines, with my own little boy, watching the same aircraft being flown by Ray and being able to explain and share that fantastic legacy for another generation. I was heartbroken at the time of Mark's tragic accident and can only imagine the horror and pain felt by Ray who witnessed it all. After Ray passed away, my son and I shared a very emtional moment, as MH434 was flown in tribute, in the same incredible way, as a final tribute at Biggin Hill, complete with the ( by then banned, but he did it anyway!) drop into the valley and zoom climb out again. It was as the sun was beginning to set and we both shed tears as we stood against the fence line. RIP to both and thank you for all those wonderful displays that gave us so much pleasure. Never to be forgotten.

[@johncrispin2118]

RIP mark and ray. Lovely to hear the joy in the voices of the vets and all the different accents, they were given the instrument in the shape of the Spitfire And survived to tell the tale to bear witness to the sacrifice of their many comrades. Whose spirit survives yet while that aircraft is dancing in the sky For all of us to see and hear , thankyou all .

[@CharlieHorse221]

What beautiful young man Mark was RIP I saw his professional work several times in New Zealand

[@phillikevideos]

it is a so big emotion and in the same time sad to watch this video with the lovely charming smile of Mark Hanna ! I met him & his lovely father too, during many years, each times they did flights during fantastic Air Shows in Switzerland ( Bex & Sion meetings) and Ray Hanna was staying and living in Switzerland. Rest in Peace Mark & Ray ... you are both for ever in the hearts of all the people who like aviation & like the old famous "war birds" ... Remembering Ray & Mark with deep respect !!

[@GooRouix]

Isn't it wonderful we can see and hear this slice of life!

[@GRACEORT]

It’s amazing how much memory those old boys still retain and still fully understand

[@joey95661]

What a pilot he was and Ray...my dad use to fly with them at the shows

[@danmcc4291]

Mark didn't over-cook a loop, Mark turned in to land with wheels and flaps down and lost lift. Why he turned in on the runway he'd just overflown rather than go round, no one knows but I worked at Duxford from '94 to '96 and he was the ultimate professional and nice guy, sad loss and still fondly remembered.

[@warrenchambers4819]

This is really awesome. Talking with the vets was for me the best part of doing Airshows. I flew with Army Aviation Heritage foundation for afew yrs doing Vietnam air assault Airshows and at the end we'd walk into the crowd (us grunts anyway) and man what an experience. These men loved us. It's was like we were one of them they really just took us in. Really made it all worth it.

[@BigPinkJohn]

So great to see videos of the late great Mark Hanna on here. Loved to watch him fly at airshows.

[@mobayguy]

Hearing of even the injuries taken by the flyer is amazing, much less the heroics of the aircraft - Brilliant and Brave !

[@philglover2973]

Rest in peace ray and Mark Hanna 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@davidmarshall1259]

the old flying machine company are all in that photo. now flying high, all of them. Godspeed.

[@duggiebader1798]

I've been lucky enough/one of my generation who could be bothered to have spent many reunions talking to Bomber Command vets, hearing their stories. Like this fantastic video, you hear on first hand account the most intriguing tales. When I retell them to others, esp on KZbin, you only get the 'I know more than you' brigade who brush aside anything they haven't read/watched. For those idiots - I hope they watch this and hear them talk!!! They can't argue with them!

[@lukerodick6649]

What a lovely chap Mark was bless you Mark rest in peace buddy

[@Bradburger]

Another cracking video! I've enjoyed them all very much and thank you for sharing. Look forward to watching many more!

[@marklynch3149]

Ray and Mark, sadly missed. Two great pilots flying a beautiful work of art.. R.I.P lads

[@rjc071]

Thank you very much for making this video available. Thank you!!!

[@densalbeach1]

Incredible to see the Spitfire flown so well in peace time, it must have been formidable when flown in anger against Goerings Luftwaffe. We owe so much to our greatest generation.

[@homebuiltindoorplane]

this was absolutely fantastic. Thank you

[@TheFunkhouser]

Awazing stories sad most of them, including Mark arent alive anymore :( RIP

[@P8290970]

Airshows haven't been the same since Ray and Mark passed away. They had warbird display flying down to a fine art. Airshow legends both of them.

[@Merlin2Stage2Speed]

TropicalBirdy Agreed! I was at Wings over Wanaka in 1997 and saw a fine display put on my Mark's father Ray, in Sir Tim Wallis' Mk XVI Spitfire. Both Ray and Mark were perfect gentlemen - looking back it's like an era gone by.

[@603mac]

A special display.............for special people.

[@mbandarra3]

A pleasure..an honor.

[@rgnvideo]

Sadly, Mark and 4 of the wartime pilots seen in this clip & the wartime 16 Sqn Engineering Officer, have since passed away. Pete Petrie, Mike Wetz and Norman Godfrey all flew Spitfire PL965 during 1945. Norman Godfrey also flew the "R-R Mk XIX" PS853. Jimmy Taylor who is seen on the right when the photograph was being taken in front of PL965, was a pilot with 16 Sqn and appeared in the BBC2 programme "Operation Crossbow", screened on 15th May 2011. P Teichman flew PL965 in the programme.

[@peterberry5722]

Rachel welsh

[@peterberry5722]

Brooks kelly

[@peterberry5722]

Brooks

[@peterberry5722]

Tea

[@peterberry5722]

Spitfire

[@V4DER]

WHAT A GREAT GUY, I had the pleasure of flying a Display with him once and also 8 dog fights in the James Bond L-39 Albertros against Eddie Todds JP MK4 in Ireland, Eddie won though. Great Great Bloke.

[@unaadair2137]

Loved Douglas Bader.

[@tasman763]

@Merlin2Stage2Speed I was there too. 100% re Ray and Mark Hanna.....and the whole lot of them. I like the M60 series handle there !

[@nathansaunders2576]

Oh boy, 3000 RPM plus 18 must have sounded fierce if that's only 2700 plus seven.

[@waynester71]

That's pushing it through the gate and some.. I'm sure the mechanics were pleased, but I'm also sure they completely understood why.. Speed and height were vital

[@ehpa9047]

What was the comment about Italian pilots? Hanna seems to have corrected him.

[@tobyr8555]

@RgnVideo -do you have this in any higher resolution? What an awesome cool!

[@rgnvideo]

This was uploaded some years ago, hence the quality. It could be uploaded again, but it takes quite a while to do so. I have uploaded this clip to "Fans of the OFMC" - which is a better "copy". You would need to join the group to watch the video!

[@tobyr8555]

@@rgnvideo Cool! Is that a KZbin group? or Facebook?

[@rgnvideo]

@@tobyr8555 It's a Facebook group.

[@rgnvideo]

@@tobyr8555 It is on Facebook.

[@lothar29]

Una lastima, Mark Hanna, se Mato en el Aeroclub Barcelona sabadell en 1999 con su HA Hispano Aviacion 1112 Buchon Entrando por cabezera haciendo un tirabuzon ..Una gran perdida pàra todo el mundo de la AVIACION...

[@pietroseven8228]

How is possible that mh434 still looks with her age better and better?

[@Horizon344]

The pilot was killed in an air crash 3 years later.

[@MrDaiseymay]

YES, I'VE ONLY JUST LEARNED THIS. FATHER AND SON, LYING ALONGSIDE EACH OTHER IN A BRITISH CEMETARY. NEAR LONDON.

[@bullittrob]

mark hanna was such a nice guy,.,.such a shame hes now with god...

[@elsa6027]

Mark Hanna over cooked a loop in a ME109 at the barcalona airshow a couple of years ago.The 109 was to low and fire balled down the display line and he died in hospital a day or so after.

[@MsMH434]

He absolutely did not 'overcook' a loop. He crashed on landing at Sabadel.