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A "KILLER CAT" !? That name has appeared in the Catalina Community quite often lately. Here is some information and quiries concerning this inanimate feline. It was born at some late date in 1944 at Consolidated Aircraft Plant at Lake Ponchartrain, New Orleans and given birth number (U.S.Navy Bu.NO.) as 46633 and also CAC#1997. The U.S. Navy began caring for it on 20 March 1945 with the best intentions of seeing it through its allocated "nine-lives". The Headquarters Squadron of Fleet Air Wing-FIVE, provided for it for a little while, but as the saying goes "Cats are not owned they choose where they want to be.". So it found another a succession of providers within the U.S. Navy's system of "Sand-Boxes" such as F.A.W.-14, Fleet Airborne Electronics Training Units on both the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, Patrol Squadron-33 at Norfolk, then made its way across the infamous "Bermuda Triangle" to the Fleet Aircraft Service Squadron-104 in Bermuda. So in November 1952 this apparent "feral-cat" was taken to the desert confines at Litchfield Park, Arizona. Some civilian thought the "cat" should be given another chance in 1956 and even obtained another identification, calling it N10023. A leopard does not change its spots and this cat was not about to change its lifestyle! In July 1957, it crossed the northern border where it was cared for by two parties; named MIRON and FRERES of Montreal where it had to be reregistered under Canadian rules. This time it was not assigned numbers, but more respectably the letters "CF-MIR" and recultured to provide more speed, range, comfort and hoped for "stability". Its chin whiskers were removed to improve its sleekness. Its motivation was increased by changing its "P-R-R-R factor" from R1830 1200HP to R2600 1700HP. It was soon discovered that the tail end had to be modified so it would raise higher and even groomed off a bit more square from its previous roundish appearance. Surgery was employed to remove a couple of blisters it had been carrying since a kitten, that really gave it a sleekness it had not enjoyed before. This blister removal and internal organ rearranging would intentionally permit more comfort. Even its internal parasites were given the special consideration by having it "out"-fitted with aerodynamically configured special little lifeboats, if it leaped into the water for any reason at some remote location, as this cat was amphibious from birth. In December of 1960, after all these changes to the cat's persona, it seemed befitting to rename it "Super CANSO 1000". After all the application of the word "Super" was in style, "CANSO-1000", gave it that proud Canadian score, (based on 1 to a 1000). In 1964, it was given the environs of Quebec and adjoining province of Ontario to prowl with the Laurentian Air Services. The feral in it persevered as nature prevailed. It claimed several providers; surveying, photographing and even performing magnetometer tasks before taking another trip south of the border, but not without the authorities of the United States giving it an "Alpha-Numerical" registration of "N608FF". This "cat" preferred its Canadian name, "thank you very much"! Back to Canada again, this time to Ottawa in the temporary hands of "Geoterrex Surveys" and with the proviso he get his old name "CF-MIR" back! With his new providers, he "pur-r-red" all over the world. Within his self-determination, he thought he quite liked South Africa and tried retirement there in 1984. Then along came a potential provider whose name he was quite taken with; "Plane Sailing Air Displays". The nomer, was quite original and this cat liked displays and "feral-ing" about, and language barriers had never existed with him. He did have to have another new "ID", this time it was British, but not so bad, it was "G-BLSC". Hm-m-m!? "G" (for "Great"), "-" (for "Dashing"), "BL" (I'll take it for whatever it is!?), but "SC" (That can only mean "SUPER CAT"!). Now back on the prowl again with Johannesburg now behind him, it was on through Lusaka, Zambia; Al Khurtum, Sudan; Alexandria, Egypt; Palermo, Italy; Cagliari, Sardinia; Marseilles, France; then in England, it was contained for awhile at Royal Air Force base, Barkston Heath in County Lincolnshire where it was cared for by volunteers. And whether the "Sleek Look" was desirable or not, sentimentalists refitted what is now referred to as "Killer Cat" and protocol required another British serial number, (JV928). To ensure that this cat, keeps "pur-r-ring" and docile, "The Catalina Society" devotes immeasurable philia to its health and grooming. This affection does include needs for its energy requirements etc. albeit this stout old feline is in its glory as it demonstrates being the most active and popular cat with at least "NINE-LIVES". "As old momma-cat says: PURRSEVERANCE PAYS"!
(NOTE: David LEGG, editor of the "Catalina Society News" has requested of "The PBY Catalina International Association" to inspect their "Flight Logs" and other "Collectibles" for the chance encounter any of us may have had with PBY-5A Bu.No.46633. s/Jim Morrison) |
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