Warbird Bob from Florida

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Not far south of Daytona Beach, on Florida's eastern coast, is New Smyrna Beach, the home of American Aero Services, a facility that restores and maintains World War 2 and other vintage aircraft. These aircraft, or the military ones at least, are popularly known as 'Warbirds' (see Wikipedia article).

One November day in 2000 a handsome tabby cat, little more than a kitten really, appeared in the hangar of American Aero, shortly after a Boeing B-17 bomber had been brought in for its annual inspection and servicing. He proceeded to check out all the humans and all the aircraft; however, it seemed that the B-17 was his particular favourite, and it's possible that he had stowed away in it, as he seemed very familiar with every corner of it. Wherever he had come from, he apparently decided that the hangar was to his liking and it became his new home, while he became known at first simply as The Hangar Cat.

Very soon the cat made it his business to check each new aircraft as it came in, aided by his amazing balancing and climbing abilities. Often a mechanic would shine a light into an inspection hatch, only to find a pair of eyes watching him from within; or they would reach into an inaccessible corner and a furry paw would brush against, or sometimes grab, their hand. It could be a bit unnerving at first!

One day The Hangar Cat came in crying loudly, with a badly mangled tail; possibly he had come too close to a moving fan belt and had got caught up in it. Straight to the vet's he went, to emerge a few days later minus most of his tail. He was promptly rechristened 'Bob' (presumably as in 'bobtail'), which was at least a more manageable name. But it was apparent that he preferred to oversee work on the Warbirds rather than civilian planes — and so Warbird Bob he became.

Bob had a further disaster later, owing to a family of squirrels that lived across the street from the hangar. Bob was trained to remain in the hangar and not to venture into the road — but the squirrels would taunt him by running along the edge of the street, chattering and taunting him before running to a tree on the other side to see whether he would chase them. One day the temptation must have become too much, so he followed them — and was hit by a car.

Back to the vet's he went. Both back legs were broken and he was in plaster until they mended, which cramped his style somewhat, but they healed well and he apparently suffered no permanent damage.

However, as time went by a curious thing happened: Bob started to become over-possessive about his Warbirds. He took particular exception to one mechanic and would not let him approach the planes; the man was chased around the hangar and up a ladder, with Bob growling and hissing at its foot. Although this was an amusing situation, it was felt that there was a chance he could hurt someone, perhaps a visitor, who got too close to 'his' aircraft, and that wouldn't do at all.

So Warbird Bob took his retirement and went to live with one of the American Aero mechanics at his home. He has two younger cats that he seems to have taken on as protégés, as he is definitely 'the boss'! He is said to spend a lot of time 'lounging by the pool'. In late 2010 we're pleased to report that he is still doing well and enjoying life.

More pictures of Bob
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Warbird Bob was always on hand during his time at American Aero, from sunrise to sunset . . .

The information for this article is taken largely from the website devoted to Warbird Bob, where there is a wonderful array of photos of him going about his business in the hangar; we have reproduced just a few here. Many thanks are due also to Kent Jeffrey for supplying additional information and for bringing Bob's story to our attention in the first place.