1 December 1999

Following the tragic loss of his son Mark in September, Ray Hanna announced today his plans for the future of The Old Flying Machine Company (OFMC), the company which father and son developed over the last 18 years.

"As a testament to Mark and with the support of the dynamic team at our Duxford base, I have decided that the Old Flying Machine Company should continue into the future. Mark’s vision and passion to preserve and fly these classic aircraft was the driving force that steered OFMC to where it is today. With the tremendous support we have had from Breitling, we will be focusing on the Breitling Fighter operation for the 2000 display season and Nigel Lamb has joined the team on a full-time basis. Nigel’s principle function will be to manage the Breitling Fighters though he will also be involved in managing other OFMC activities such as film-work. He has been a professional display pilot since 1981 and first flew for us in 1994. Our engineering team will continue to be run by Roger Shepherd and Laura Wetton will stay on as Operations Manager at Duxford."

27 September 1999

6 August 1959 - 26 September 1999

One of Britain’s most experienced display pilots of historic military aircraft, Mark Hanna, was seriously injured in an aircraft crash in Spain on Saturday 25 September 1999. Mark passed away at 8.30 pm, Sunday 26 September 1999.

The accident took place at Sabadell near Barcelona where the aircraft was due to participate in a large flying display. It occurred on approach to landing and there was a major fire.

Mark was flying an Hispano Buchon, a Spanish-built version of the Second World War German Messerschmitt Bf109 fighter. The aircraft had appeared at air shows throughout the UK and Europe.

Mark was Managing Director and co-founder of the Old Flying Machine Company which preserves and maintains rare vintage aircraft in airworthy condition. An ex-RAF fast jet pilot, Mark had flown over 4000 flying hours of which 2300 were on historic aircraft.

Obituary . . .

Mark Ashley Hanna was born into an aviation family in Berkshire on the 6th August, 1959. Educated at Kimbolton School, Huntingdonshire, it was a foregone conclusion that he would join the RAF, having first been taught to fly by his father, Ray Hanna (a former leader of the Red Arrows) from a small coral strip in the Philippines. The aircraft was a T-34, and he was only sixteen.

A successful career as a fighter pilot followed, flying Hunters and then F4-Phantoms with 111, 56, 29 and 23 squadrons - including a tour of duty in the Falklands. He left the RAF in 1988 to run the Old Flying Machine Company which he had set up with his father in 1981, specifically to preserve, maintain and exhibit rare vintage aircraft. With growing public interest in aircraft of this type, the business expanded steadily and today includes many of the great military piston-engined fighters, together with several early British, American and Russian jets.

Mark was always generous with his time and attention, was considerate, forthright, wonderfully prejudiced and great company. His legion of admirers in the public at large and in flying circles admired him for his skill and prowess in the air, but that was only the exercise of a God-given talent allied to superb schooling and dedication. He flew with both authority and feeling, for flying was his greatest passion and one which he always endeavoured to share with the general public. Interviewed recently, Hanna, who had flown more than 100 different types, discussed the popularity of the company’s aircraft at air shows: "The older generation remembers both World War II and early jets, and younger people hear their parents talk of those days and realise what emotive things historic aircraft can be. The OFMC can put such aircraft into the skies once more, including the great adversaries of the Battle of Britain."

Major films in which he acted as both aerial advisor and chief pilot included Empire of the Sun, Air America, Tomorrow Never Dies, Memphis Belle, Piece of Cake and Saving Private Ryan. However, he was not always enthusiastic with some film directors, who sometimes could not accept the art of the possible when it came to flying. Exceptionally, Steven Spielberg accepted this and did have a great understanding and feeling for aerial imagery. Hanna said "My father and I each flew Mustangs in Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun and the consequent footage was quite remarkable."

Occasionally, flying World War II aircraft in Europe could create bizarre situations which appealed to Hanna’s dry sense of humour. A few years ago, he was flying over Germany in a Messerschmitt Me 109 in formation with an American P-51D Mustang - deadly enemies in 1944 and 1945. The aircraft became low on fuel and, as a precaution landed at a USAF base; "A serious looking US Air Force guy drove out to meet us; he plainly thought we had passed through a time warp. He shouted: " Are these planes armed?" I said "Not since 1945."

"I’m not sure he understood the joke!"

Throughout the airshow and aviation film industry Mark was known as the "Golden Boy" of aviation and was acknowledged to have become a legend in his own lifetime.

Mark was buried at a private funeral at Parham in Suffolk on Wednesday 6 October 1999. 

The Hanna's wish to extend their most sincere thanks to the many individuals who sent messages of sympathy and support.

A celebration of Mark's life took place on Tues 16 November 1999 at St Clement Danes in London.

General Information

During 1999, the Breitling Fighters flew almost 600 sorties covering 22 events with 9 different fighters throughout Europe ranging from England and Scotland to Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Austria and France.

The display schedule for 2000 is being planned to include several European countries and the core of the Breitling Fighters Team will include Spitfire MkIX G-ASJV (MH 434), Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk ZK-RMH, P51 Mustang G-BTCD, F4U Corsair G-BXUL and L39 Albatross G-OTAF. In addition, the T6 LN-AMY will be flown at some events. The operation of the Sea Fury FB10 G-BTTA is subject to confirmation.

On the Hunter front, two-seater T8C G-BWGL (ex XF357) and single-seater Mk58 G-SIAL (ex J4090) should be available for airshow participation possibly as a duo whilst the other 9 x Mk 58’s are available for defence contracts or, subject to sponsorship, aerobatic team work.

The Yak 3 restoration continues with test flying planned towards the end of 2000 and the La9 project will receive added attention once the 2000 season begins in earnest.

Meanwhile, the OFMC will not be operating the T33 or F86 next year and a number of aircraft are for sale including the Mig 17, Mig 21, Heinkel 111, Dewoitine D27, Broussard and the Hunter T7.