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Post by markrogers on Feb 1, 2020 17:05:39 GMT 12
A great thread with wonderful stories!
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Post by denysjones on Feb 1, 2020 20:37:45 GMT 12
Many years ago a wee grey and white apparition moved into our workshop at Ferrymead to be entitled "Shadow" because she "followed you around" but obviously was not ground inhibited as this shows. She was a firm favourite with visitors for many years. however we extended our regime to include a range maintenance goat called "Elma" seen supervising maintenance on his shack which Shadow was known to co-habitate in.
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 1, 2020 21:05:21 GMT 12
Long story. Went To Parkes to do some commentary. Landed in a dust storm and two thunderstorms.....(lots of JD later). We pushed the TBM into a parking spot and this tiny little Tuxedo cat/kitten started climbing up my jeans. He/she was beautiful and so friendly. Actually climbed into my shirt pocket. Found out he/she was domiciled in the hangar where we stored the Mustang for the night. Apparently someone came out to the airport and put him/her into the letterbox of the aero club. The guys at the hangar took her over and I believe she/he is still there guarding the ultralights ! As to the cat living under the Camden Aero Club that is a different story.....ever seen a four legged Velicorapter......
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Post by ZacYates on Feb 1, 2020 23:34:43 GMT 12
Has the Wanganui Aero Club's Sherman made it to these columns. I gather it turns up at the terminal to meet most Air Chat's flights. Sherman has some flight time, too! A while back the Club's Facebook page featured a series of photos of him on the panel coaming of a Cessna while out for a local flight. My wife and I met him when we went to the cafe for my birthday brunch last year, and I caught up with him again at the recent Open Day: 19/01/2020 by Zac Yates, on Flickr 19/01/2020 by Zac Yates, on Flickr 19/01/2020 by Zac Yates, on Flickr The same day I met Hangar (creative naming) who was rather spoilt thanks to the sausage sizzle and generous young visitors: 19/01/2020 by Zac Yates, on Flickr 19/01/2020 by Zac Yates, on Flickr 19/01/2020 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
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Post by ngirl5 on Jan 20, 2021 12:25:06 GMT 12
Love this! : ) I've been thinking I could try taking one of my boy cats out to our GAPS hangar (Gisborne) when we're there, then found this thread by chance looking for posts about Darton Field. A sign?? He comes with me everywhere I go and is often keen to welcome and meet people. Not a hangar cat officially as he won't be living there but maybe a nice addition. We'll see how he goes : ) Classic Flyers in Tauranga has 'Hangar Manager' Merlin : ) <3
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Post by planewriting on Jan 20, 2021 14:03:39 GMT 12
Merlin at Classic Flyers has befriended all of us and loves having his photo taken. Last week, when he was supposedly on patrol, I found him fast asleep sprawled across one of our TEAL Electra seats.
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Post by ngirl5 on Jan 20, 2021 15:29:08 GMT 12
Merlin at Classic Flyers has befriended all of us and loves having his photo taken. Last week, when he was supposedly on patrol, I found him fast asleep sprawled across one of our TEAL Electra seat. Aww luffly : ) He's beautiful. Haha love it. How did he come to be at Classic Flyers?
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Post by tbf2504 on Jan 20, 2021 16:31:14 GMT 12
In the early 2000s at Kapiti Districts Aero Club, a stray ginger kitten was discovered under the old club buildings. It was "adopted" by the club members and had free rein of the hangar and club rooms. "Ginga" had no fear of aircraft and would often lie in front of the petrol pump outside the club rooms. On many occasions as visiting GA aircraft came in for refueling one of the instructors would have to go out and remove Ginga from the tarmac to allow the aircraft to taxi in to the pump. Ginga would also assist with pulling the C152s out of the hangar in the morning being placed on the tailplane where she happily sat until the aircraft were placed on the line. Regular GA and warbird crews coming through NZPP would always ask where Ginga was and usually she would be awoken from a sleep and placed in the cockpit or cabin of the visiting aircraft to check it out. When the aero club moved to the other side of the airport, Ginga was adopted by one of the instructors and became a favoured family pet.
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Post by planewriting on Jan 20, 2021 16:47:10 GMT 12
Not sure how Merlin came to be at Classic Flyers but arrived as an unnamed kitten during 2020. I will check out his origin. He is not fussed by loud aircraft engines but it will be interesting to see how he reacts with a big crowd and so many of our aircraft started up this Saturday. Hopefully that will include the Macchi, Avenger, Harvards, Heron, Kittyhawk, Vampire, Dragonfly, Stearman and anything else that comes along.
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Post by ngirl5 on Jan 23, 2021 17:04:37 GMT 12
Amazing stories I had never heard of Hangar Cats. More enlightenment from WONZ as always : ) planewriting, hope you all had a fantastic day. Sounds awesome (literally!) I have to get to Classic Flyers one day <3 You also have my first ever plane love there, your red & white Venom. I haven't seen it since about 1997. I have to make a spiritual pilgrimmage to see it again sometime. Though not sure how well I would handle seeing it earth bound If you or one of the crew have time I'd love a report on how Merly went with his first big crowd and all those engines : ) Yikes I made it to Warrant Officer!! I'm not ready
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 24, 2021 16:48:17 GMT 12
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jan 24, 2021 18:56:21 GMT 12
Hmmm, I'll bet those claws don't remain retracted if there's any difficulty in climbing up to, or down from that cloth-covered perch.
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 25, 2021 15:41:37 GMT 12
In case anyone was wondering, the Wanganui Aero Club shared a photo from yesterday of the cat on the port lower wing. It's nice to see someone who's not compelled to take the top bunk every time!
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Post by planewriting on Jan 25, 2021 16:15:12 GMT 12
Well I didn't spot the cat straight away and assumed the focus was on KIT in the background!
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 27, 2021 0:21:25 GMT 12
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Post by planewriting on Jan 27, 2021 20:57:44 GMT 12
MERLIN - Classic Flyers' Moggie.
I put the question to Andrew Gormlie, CEO, Classic Flyers as to how it came to pass that Merlin the Moggie joined the ranks of useful personnel at Classic Flyers
He replied, “Post lockdown last year, the kitchen crew began talking about the growth of birds in the buildings while we were absent and asked if I would allow a cat to live at Classic Flyers. Things were a bit uncertain out in the market (still are really) and naturally with a bit of job concern, morale was also a little bit low with the team.
For 15 years I had resisted having a cat - because of our airfield/cafe situation, but admittedly have met several great hangar cats at other airfields.
So after much discussion regarding responsibilities and a cat’s role in our place, one of our chefs found a nicely marked and well-mannered young moggy at a local rescue home - and brought him in for a look.
He immediately found a nice regular sleeping place in one of our display pedal planes high up on a cabinet. A P51 Mustang. So we named him Merlin.
As you know he took charge straight away and sorted the bird problems immediately, quickly making friends with us all - (including many of our customers) he moved on to “managing” the main hangar, with customer PR as his main focus. His home base is in Bryce’s (the accountant) office, where we put a cat door so he can access some quiet space (and help Bryce sort the finances). He’s become a popular fellow with visitors, adults and kids, and of course our team – he’s part of the Classic Flyers’ family.
I reckon it will only take another year or two and he will have my job.... haha.
Andrew”
And to answer the question about his coping with all the aircraft noise on open day; he took it in his stride. That probably comes from his being used to it. We've started the Avenger and Vampire up fairly near the main hangar a few times in recent months. His favourite aircraft naturally appears to be the Kittyhawk. Let's hope he doesn't sprawl out on a hot engine!
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Post by ngirl5 on Mar 31, 2021 13:01:23 GMT 12
Wow!! Hangar the Whanganui airport kitty has been immortalised in a stunning city mural <3<3<3 'The story of a Whanganui stray cat, Hangar, who found his home at the local airport hangar. He was most likely abandoned near the coast and followed the noise of planes and people to the runway in late 2019. Although very timid at first, he quickly befriended not only the staff and pilots but also their resident cat, Sherman, who was already notorious for sneaking on planes. After showing him the ropes, Sherman has since moved up to Tauranga leaving the entire kingdom in Hangar’s furry paws… and he’s loving it! On any given day you can catch him hanging in the hangar, sleeping on the plane wings or the warm engine hoods after they’ve been freshly flown. But it’s not all naps and pats he’s got a real job too, taking care of the mice, rats and rodents from causing any damage, and keeping the nesting birds out of the hangar. Not even the noise phases him now, “He’s not afraid of anything or anyone. You can start an aircraft up right next to him when he’s sleeping on the taxiway and he doesn’t flinch” flight instructor Leroy Johnson said. “He also wanders down the apron and tries to get into the Air Chathams Saab while it’s on layover, and wanders down to the terminal to greet the passengers.”' Photo of Hangar's mural www.facebook.com/whanganuiwalls/photos/pcb.936808557056308/936807840389713Artist: Swiftmantis Photo: Mark Brimblecombe
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Mar 31, 2021 15:54:03 GMT 12
Awww, great story. I remember a hangar cat at Wanganui when I was a member there, but I don't think it was Sherman. Honorary Club members as long as they keep up the patrol against the birds from nesting in the engine bays and mice from the control cables!
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 31, 2021 16:01:48 GMT 12
The mural is absolutely beautiful in person, the artwork is gorgeous. Breathtaking in fact! It's a great likeness of Hangar. I took a photo the other day but the lighting meant it was pretty poor, the ones ngirl5 linked to are much better.
Next time you're in Whanganui be sure to find him and stop for a look!
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Mar 31, 2021 17:02:21 GMT 12
Where is the location of the mural?
Edit - Ah, I see, next to Farmers on St Hill Street
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