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.
@markcoombs72338 ай бұрын
Ray & Mark are sorely missed RIP.
@HistoryBuff-dk1bz8 ай бұрын
What happened to them? I heard they were amazing pilots
@2ksnakenoodles7 ай бұрын
@@HistoryBuff-dk1bzRay Hanna passed away of old age in 2005, while his son, mark Hanna was killed in a HA112 landing accident in 1999.
@2493463726 күн бұрын
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.
@russellmarriott93968 ай бұрын
I’m able to see MH434 most weeks and I am always in awe of its beauty and its history.
@johnbridges68678 ай бұрын
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.
@johnbridges68678 ай бұрын
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.
@jedibusiness7897 ай бұрын
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.
@avipatable8 ай бұрын
What a superb documentary. And what very fine people Ray and Mark seemed to be.
@i_smoke_ghosts8 ай бұрын
thank you gentlemen and the beautiful lady mh434 ❤from nzl 🇳🇿
@Rkolb27988 ай бұрын
Only the British could make an instrument of war look so Beautiful 😊
@johndavey728 ай бұрын
Wonderful ! I was treated to seeing this on my wingtip(s) ! From the delightful Dehavilland Rapide back in 2012 . 💞
@stewartgrant98328 ай бұрын
The pilots and engineers in this video started the warbird airshow scene in the UK. We have a lot to thank them for.
@stevehanna43458 ай бұрын
The Hanna motto fits well.... Per Ardua Ad Alta.
@mothmagic18 ай бұрын
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.
@WingsTVChannel8 ай бұрын
He was, I consider myself very lucky to have spent a few hours with him at his home.
@hangie658 ай бұрын
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.
@johnmclean64988 ай бұрын
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?
@WingsTVChannel8 ай бұрын
Unfortunately this was recorded a few years before HD became available
@billness26358 ай бұрын
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.
@mothmagic18 ай бұрын
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.
@yl91548 ай бұрын
@@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.
@markharlock64748 ай бұрын
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..!
@kkteutsch64168 ай бұрын
At 10:43 the german marked aircraft isn't a real Me109 but a Casa spanish made Buchon, with RR engine...
@gerhardtnell55413 ай бұрын
Wonderful tribute to an amazing aircraft and fantastic people.
@glennchuckie7738 ай бұрын
Truly beautiful ❤ Many thanks for sharing this one.
@misterspitfire65648 ай бұрын
Marvellous documentary - thanks so much for posting it!
@ChristopherWHerbert2 ай бұрын
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)
@Bradburger8 ай бұрын
Thanks for posting!
@freesk88 ай бұрын
Gorgeous. Thanks! :)
@williamr38403 ай бұрын
I love Spitfires, but I've got a big place in my heart for Hurricanes too! :0)
@JS-Galaxie5008 ай бұрын
I have some grit in my eye........🥲
@claydavis80938 ай бұрын
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.
@ukar698 ай бұрын
Still flying in 2024.
@stenalbertsen24408 ай бұрын
Marvel's stuff 👍.
@jarvis82062 ай бұрын
AWESOME !!! I personnaly made a Model Spitfire ...Bymyself...
@PeterPan-iz1kk4 ай бұрын
If the background music and sound effects were not so loud, I'd probably be able to hear what the narrator is saying.
@wulfinstein8 ай бұрын
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.
@malcolmeccles37838 ай бұрын
I thought this was also civilian owned at one time. Silver and blue? Anyone know for sure?
@gravedigger931312 күн бұрын
Absolutely brilliant engineering My goodness What an outstanding aircraft . Amazing
@gavindouglas55816 ай бұрын
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.
@kkteutsch64168 ай бұрын
Spits have his undercarriage legs slightly wider than the Me109 owns..
@user-mn7vh9pv9s5 ай бұрын
🥰🇬🇧🙏⛪️🙏🇬🇧Do so want 🥰NE🇬🇧🙏⛪️🙏🇬🇧
@anthonycassata51527 ай бұрын
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.
@thomaswayneward8 ай бұрын
The Spitfire was the greatest fighter of WWII in Europe, IF you put a Messerschmitt engine in it.
@user-gm8zs9fb6h7 ай бұрын
Rolls Roys Мerlin - отличный двигатель.
@olgerdtmagpier55272 ай бұрын
Spit looks like spit, Messer is perfecly shaped.
@manricobianchini52768 ай бұрын
I love the Spit, but there are other fighter aircraft of WW2 that are just as famous. Come on.
@silvergtotwinturbo99848 ай бұрын
But this video is about one aeroplane, and that is MH434 and its own history. Read it in the title, come on!!!