A Spitfire's Story - A film about the history and rebuild of Spitfire MH434

[@pingpong5000]

We have a lot to be grateful for, the people who created the Spitfire and the men who went to war in it but also Ray and Mark and those others in the early days who showed us what dam fools we would be if we let these wonderful aircraft be forgotten. I met Mark once when I helped him push the ME109 into our hangar at Warton overnight, he spent at least half an hour showing me around the aircraft and sharing his passion for it, I don't think I have ever met a nicer bloke.

[@markcoombs7233]

Ray & Mark are sorely missed RIP.

[@HistoryBuff-dk1bz]

What happened to them? I heard they were amazing pilots

[@2ksnakenoodles]

​@@HistoryBuff-dk1bzRay Hanna passed away of old age in 2005, while his son, mark Hanna was killed in a HA112 landing accident in 1999.

[@24934637]

It was only shortly before the tragic death of Mark that I became a bit more aware of who they were from reading a photographic book succinctly named 'Spitfire'. I'd been watching them with great enjoyment for many years at airshows round the UK and also enjoying the TV work that they were involved in. As well as being amazingly skilled pilots, they both had a reputation for being genuinely pleasant people too.

[@russellmarriott9396]

I’m able to see MH434 most weeks and I am always in awe of its beauty and its history.

[@johnbridges6867]

Mark and Ray Hanna. I was SO so honoured to meet you both. Mark you always shook my hand when ever I saw you. You and Ray were splendid first class men and pilots. Mark and Ray Are Really missed and will Never be forgotten. Thank you Pete Jarvis letting me sit in MH434 when you flew into Redhill of the Tiger Club days. Gosh I loved all you chaps! JB.Surrey.

[@johnbridges6867]

Hi Thank you So much for your thoughtful reply as to Ray and Mark Hanna. Two such splendid men that you would love to have as family, That was my honest feeling. Tears fell when I heard of the terrible news of Marks injuries, I fully understood as I have suffered the same injuries. I know for sure where Ray and Mark are, I hope there are aircraft there otherwise they both will be highly complaining, bending both of Gods ears! Have a great Happy new 2024 and Happy landings always. JB. UK. Ex Skyhawks.

[@jedibusiness789]

Recall what Chuck Yeager said. “The P51 could do what the Spitfire did for 8 hours.” However what made the Spitfire so special was its continual upgrades.

[@avipatable]

What a superb documentary. And what very fine people Ray and Mark seemed to be.

[@i_smoke_ghosts]

thank you gentlemen and the beautiful lady mh434 ❤from nzl 🇳🇿

[@Rkolb2798]

Only the British could make an instrument of war look so Beautiful 😊

[@johndavey72]

Wonderful ! I was treated to seeing this on my wingtip(s) ! From the delightful Dehavilland Rapide back in 2012 . 💞

[@stewartgrant9832]

The pilots and engineers in this video started the warbird airshow scene in the UK. We have a lot to thank them for.

[@stevehanna4345]

The Hanna motto fits well.... Per Ardua Ad Alta.

[@mothmagic1]

Alex Henshaw was a very easy and engaging man to talk to. When I met him I could have listened to him all day but his attention was in great demand so I didn't outstay my welcome.Whgich was a shame because he had such a wealth of stories and information. Like many aircraft over the years the Spitfire was not hard to fly but hard to fly well. This video is also a tribut to Ray and Mark who managed to bring pleasure to so many airshow goers with their prowess as pilots of historic warbirds.

[@WingsTVChannel]

He was, I consider myself very lucky to have spent a few hours with him at his home.

[@hangie65]

Excellent film. It was great to see Mark Hanna flying and to hear the interviews with, Mark, Ray and Alex Henshaw. And the air-to-air footage of the MH-434 is simply beautiful. Thanks for posting.

[@johnmclean6498]

Thanks so much. My 1995 VHS tapes of this series have been long lost to time and technology. The greats Alex Henshaw, Ray and Mark Hanna and their foresight and passion will never be forgotten. I wonder if a HD version will one day appear, or does the original recording not allow it?

[@WingsTVChannel]

Unfortunately this was recorded a few years before HD became available

[@billness2635]

I’m currently reading Spitfire by Jeffery Quill and seeing this video, especially with Henshaw being a part of it, ties together the book and your video.

[@mothmagic1]

Also try Sigh For A Merlin. Another cracking read. I've lost my copy so I can't remember whether it was written by Jeffrey Quill or Alex Henshaw.

[@yl9154]

@@mothmagic1 Spitfire: Portrait of a Legend by Leo McKinstry is another very good book written on the Spitfire. Very comprehensive. The author also made two other very good books. One on the Hurricane and another on the Lancaster. They cover the history from the engineering to the bureaucratic and everything in between.

[@markharlock6474]

I'm glad you've mentioned Jeffry Quill and Alex Henshaw, they both did invaluable work to ensure the speedy continued development of the Spitfire through the war years, and of course also pre-war from 1936 in the case of Jeffry Quill. They took on enormous workloads and were poorly rewarded later for their contributions to the Spitfire story. Alex Henshaw, after his exemplary performance as chief production test pilot at the Castle Bromwich factory, was awarded a lowly MBE, enough said..!

[@kkteutsch6416]

At 10:43 the german marked aircraft isn't a real Me109 but a Casa spanish made Buchon, with RR engine...

[@gerhardtnell5541]

Wonderful tribute to an amazing aircraft and fantastic people.

[@glennchuckie773]

Truly beautiful ❤ Many thanks for sharing this one.

[@misterspitfire6564]

Marvellous documentary - thanks so much for posting it!

[@ChristopherWHerbert]

Ray Hanna was born in New Zealand in 1928, where in 1949, at the age of 21 years old. He made the decision to emigrate to the United Kingdom and join the RAF. In working his passage on a merchant ship, as to cover the costs of his travel to England. Where on arrival, he applied to join the Royal Air Force, as to the belief. The opportunities in flying, were better suited at the time. Than joining the Royal New Zealand Air force. (this was 1949, afterall)

[@Bradburger]

Thanks for posting!

[@freesk8]

Gorgeous. Thanks! :)

[@williamr3840]

I love Spitfires, but I've got a big place in my heart for Hurricanes too! :0)

[@JS-Galaxie500]

I have some grit in my eye........🥲

[@claydavis8093]

Does anybody know if there are Spitfire displays in the UK that showcase the Spitfire the same way Ray and Mark did? I am grateful for the BBMF but the displays are very gentle, I would love to see one flown in the same manner as Ray and Mark.

[@ukar69]

Still flying in 2024.

[@stenalbertsen2440]

Marvel's stuff 👍.

[@jarvis8206]

AWESOME !!! I personnaly made a Model Spitfire ...Bymyself...

[@PeterPan-iz1kk]

If the background music and sound effects were not so loud, I'd probably be able to hear what the narrator is saying.

[@wulfinstein]

Ever I loved this beautyfuil and legendary machine, very apart of his war use, i ever think that Mitchell ever think like a stunning bird of liberty.

[@malcolmeccles3783]

I thought this was also civilian owned at one time. Silver and blue? Anyone know for sure?

[@gravedigger9313]

Absolutely brilliant engineering My goodness What an outstanding aircraft . Amazing

[@gavindouglas5581]

Is it hard to get replacement parts for any mark of spitfire The merlin was a great engine and still great to this day. The spitfire is a very special and fantastic aeroplane and the world loves it .I wish I could fly it and wish I was in the royal airforce like my late father in in 1943 45. 😂 Gav Douglas n.z.

[@kkteutsch6416]

Spits have his undercarriage legs slightly wider than the Me109 owns..

[@user-mn7vh9pv9s]

🥰🇬🇧🙏⛪️🙏🇬🇧Do so want 🥰NE🇬🇧🙏⛪️🙏🇬🇧

[@anthonycassata5152]

While this is a totally awesome famous aircraft, kind of have to disagree with you on it being the worlds most notable or how ever it was put. Let’s not forget the Mustang. Now I get it that until the P-51 came on line and had all the bugs worked out, it wasn’t around for what was going on at the time in Britain’s finest hour, so naturally it was the shit. But still a very cool aircraft.

[@thomaswayneward]

The Spitfire was the greatest fighter of WWII in Europe, IF you put a Messerschmitt engine in it.

[@user-gm8zs9fb6h]

Rolls Roys Мerlin - отличный двигатель.

[@olgerdtmagpier5527]

Spit looks like spit, Messer is perfecly shaped.

[@manricobianchini5276]

I love the Spit, but there are other fighter aircraft of WW2 that are just as famous. Come on.

[@silvergtotwinturbo9984]

But this video is about one aeroplane, and that is MH434 and its own history. Read it in the title, come on!!!