The story of Spitfires at the Goodwood Revival

How ace pilot Ray Hanna brought the famous planes back to Goodwood…
Spitfires and the Revival are indelibly linked, not least because the racing action takes place around what was the perimeter track of RAF Westhampnett, a Battle of Britain Spitfire base. One plane and pilot in particular have helped cement the relationship in people’s minds; Ray Hanna and Supermarine Spitfire MH434. Those lucky enough to have attended the first Revival in 1998 will have seen Ray’s famous flypast along the start-finish straight below the height of the pit roof.
Ray and his son Mark established the Old Flying Machine Company which for years wowed the Revival crowds with their daring aerial displays as well as providing many of the vintage aircraft for the Freddie March Spirit of Aviation concours. Now run by Ray’s daughter Sarah Hanna, the outfit still preps the planes, including MH434, for the Revival. We went to visit the company at its base at Duxford to see how its done.
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[@GoodwoodRR]

Who remembers Ray's... er... flight down the pitlane?

[@stevekent8965]

I do , frightened the life of Lord March !!!

[@SteveDentonClassics]

Mark Hanna was my childhood hero, I was absolutely gutted when I heard the news that he had died in 1999. Such a charming man, who had time for everyone, and took very much after his father Ray with his flying style, and professionalism. And with Ray, what a career, what a pilot, and a real strength of character to keep flying after his sons death. He was just magnificent to watch him fly

[@jonathanbeale3978]

I got to the Revival in 2021 very early on the Friday. It was a crisp clear morning. As I got out of the car to stretch and breathe in the fresh air that sound flowed across the fields. Merlin engines Erving up to touch the sky. The first Spitfire came over the hedge, followed by another. I stood still closed my eyes for a while just to take in the sound. A tear came to my eye as I thought of my departed father, who would be rattling which mk they were and blaming me as to where his binoculars were. It is the simple things that you remember in life

[@GoodwoodRR]

Sorry for your loss Jonathan.

[@rogerbranton1752]

That's a beautifully produced film! No surprise, really.....Goodwood is all about getting it right! 👍

[@JS-Galaxie500]

RGH & MH434…..pure poetry. Thank you Ray, you are sorely missed

[@Mike-kc8rl]

I can remember Ray and Neil coming to Booker in the 70s and early 80s to fly MH 434 that was based there, along with AR 213 for many years in the care of personal plane services ,these two Spitfires were the first ones I had ever seen fly and thankfully both still are Airworthy to this day !

[@bendermender926]

To hear about people truly living their passion like this always brings a tear to my eye. This video was supremely well done as always!

[@waynester71]

I used to live close by Goodwood in the mid/late 1990s, and I spent most weekends just watching the cars around the track and IF you were very lucky, Spitfires.. I believe even Alex Henshaw said “Ray was the best Spitfire display pilot I’ve ever seen” Now that’s truly high praise from the one of the greatest & legendary names in Spitfire history..

[@rover213]

may it fly for many years to come...

[@marinedrive5484]

Ray Hanna is well remembered in New Zealand for his appearances at the 'Warbirds Over Wanaka' airshow. I can imagine Ray's flight down the Goodwood pitlane must have caused quite a stir.

[@harveywebb6776]

I have never been so moved in my life thank you so much for letting me know this unbelievably moving story

[@anthonypetty9288]

A wonderful tribute to Ray And Mark Hanna. Lovely to hear some of the back story behind his wonderful displays. I wish I had been able to see him fly live. FYI, Auckland Airport is situated in Mangere, so I assume it was probably called Mangere Airfield. Someone might be able to confirm whether it was called something else. Thanks Goodwood.

[@Bellakelpie]

My late cousin, Tony Gaze, flew out of Westhampnett with 610 Squadron during WW2.

[@NikCan66]

Brilliant history

[@wahyuardiansyah1266]

oh its beautifull😲😲

[@pipimontana]

Great timing! Stay „brexited“!

[@jocelynnflores4383]

Awesome

[@cavu22]

Wow.

[@Bradburger]

A pity we will never see the kind of displays at the Revival again that the OFMC and TFC (along with other UK historic aircraft operators) were famous for as this world class event grew and developed. Thanks to the CAA's knee-jerk reaction after the Shoreham tragedy in 2015, the displays are now rather tamed down affairs, thanks to all the restrictions the organisers and pilots have to now deal with.

[@Trek001]

*cough* Well, it didn't stop them doing it back in 2020 and I've seen old kites do low level passes over the Derwent Dams

[@haroldgodwinson832]

Well in truth, if there was an 'pilot elite' in the RAF it was the bomber pilots, not the fighter pilots. The best pilots were posted to fly the big 4 motor, multi-crewed aircraft in Bomber and Coastal Commands, not fighter Command.

[@barrierodliffe4155]

Spitfire pilots took the fight to the Luftwaffe, I am sure the RAF bomber pilots escorted by Spitfires would be upset to know that they were escorted by poor pilots and I am sure the experienced Luftwaffe pilots shot down by Spitfires would be very upset to learn that they were shot down by poor pilots.