Regarding mwood18105's comment "the weather was rubbish". On the morning of 23rd Dec 1992, there was a severe frost and when Mark Hanna was about to conduct the first test flight, the cloud base had descended to about 500 feet above Rochester airfield and the visibilty had dramatically reduced. Despite this Mark managed a few circuits. On the 1st Feb 1993 Mark flew PL965 and conducted a full air test, before flying PL965 to Duxford. This flight may also be seen on YouTube - see RGNVideo.
Spitfire PL965 was a Mk PRXI. Its first test flight was on 23rd Dec 1992 - pilot Mark Hanna. In 1945 PL965 had been operated by 16 Sqn as a high altitude PR aircraft and the aileron problem was "connected" to this fact. The problem was subsequently resolved. The first flight was indeed videoed - BY ME! It may be seen on YouTube, just look under RGNVideo. I hope you enjoy it,
The opening Spit (PRXXI, PL965) is Mark Hanna flying it at Rochester post restoration. The first flight was also videoed, but he was more gentle as it had a small aileron problem and the weather was rubbish.
Great video tribute to two of the greatest display pilots ever. I recall their performances at many airshows over the years from Ray leading the Reds to the Classic Jets airshow at Cranfield. Sad enough that we lose Ray but mighty unfair to have lost his son too.
Another tragic loss was that of Stefan Karwowski who we used to enjoy displaying the Bearcat. I remember seeing him being interviewed by Raymond Baxter all those years ago at Biggin Hill.
You can easily say who of the two was flying, Ray had a more agressive way of flying and loved pulling Gs, Mark was definitely more sweet at controls, both of them enjoying low levels.
There is a story behind this Bearcat-Fury duo flight I got from Steve Grey himself... it seems that after a while Ray found funny to give Steve a hard time to keep on formation, thanks to the Fury fantastic power, but Steve proudly told us something like: he didn't succeed !
Great collection of footage of two of the great pilots of display flying. Cool to see so many of the aircraft they flew on one tape. Very good!
TJJohansen 1 year ago
Great collection of footage of two of the great pilots of display flying. Cool to see so many of the aircraft they flew on one tape. Very good!
TJJohansen 1 year ago
Great stuff 5/5
mollyisagooddog 2 years ago
Regarding mwood18105's comment "the weather was rubbish". On the morning of 23rd Dec 1992, there was a severe frost and when Mark Hanna was about to conduct the first test flight, the cloud base had descended to about 500 feet above Rochester airfield and the visibilty had dramatically reduced. Despite this Mark managed a few circuits. On the 1st Feb 1993 Mark flew PL965 and conducted a full air test, before flying PL965 to Duxford. This flight may also be seen on YouTube - see RGNVideo.
rgnvideo 2 years ago
Spitfire PL965 was a Mk PRXI. Its first test flight was on 23rd Dec 1992 - pilot Mark Hanna. In 1945 PL965 had been operated by 16 Sqn as a high altitude PR aircraft and the aileron problem was "connected" to this fact. The problem was subsequently resolved. The first flight was indeed videoed - BY ME! It may be seen on YouTube, just look under RGNVideo. I hope you enjoy it,
rgnvideo 2 years ago
The opening Spit (PRXXI, PL965) is Mark Hanna flying it at Rochester post restoration. The first flight was also videoed, but he was more gentle as it had a small aileron problem and the weather was rubbish.
mwood18105 2 years ago
Great video tribute to two of the greatest display pilots ever. I recall their performances at many airshows over the years from Ray leading the Reds to the Classic Jets airshow at Cranfield. Sad enough that we lose Ray but mighty unfair to have lost his son too.
Another tragic loss was that of Stefan Karwowski who we used to enjoy displaying the Bearcat. I remember seeing him being interviewed by Raymond Baxter all those years ago at Biggin Hill.
All gone now... RIP gentlemen - we thank you!
vulcanfanman 2 years ago
You can easily say who of the two was flying, Ray had a more agressive way of flying and loved pulling Gs, Mark was definitely more sweet at controls, both of them enjoying low levels.
There is a story behind this Bearcat-Fury duo flight I got from Steve Grey himself... it seems that after a while Ray found funny to give Steve a hard time to keep on formation, thanks to the Fury fantastic power, but Steve proudly told us something like: he didn't succeed !
Tks so much for posting your videos !
5alex7 3 years ago