Air Zoo Bearcat

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2009 2:46 pm

It's been out flying quite a bit this week. Steve Hinton has been doing the test flying. Saw it orbiting town today and decided to head over to the airport. Looks really good! They still haven't put the Felix nose art on it, and I don't think they're going to. Didn't have my camera with me, so sorry, no pics.

Not sure who bought it, but I have heard it's going to Arizona. Maybe someone else will have more information.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:24 pm

Steve Hinton is in K-zoo?!?! :shock:

I may have to run over there tomorrow and see if the Bearcat is flying!

SN

kalamazookid · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:13 am

Went back again later in the day yesterday and actually met the new owner. The new owner is Jens Meyerhoff, based out of Mesa, Arizona. He owns a T-6 and has trained in P-51s at Stallion 51. Talking to him, it seems the aircraft will be in good hands. Steve is going to fly the Bearcat out to Arizona sometime in the next couple days, and then Jens is going to start flying it.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 12:33 pm

It'll certainly be sad to see the Bearcat go, but at least she'll be flying again. Last time I saw her in the air was May 18, 1995 when she escorted the Air Zoo's F-14 into Kalamazoo (I remember the date because it's my birthday.)

SN

Mark Clark · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 1:26 pm

Last stop was for fuel in Springdale Ark about 1 hour ago. Trip is going well according to Steve.

Mark Clark

Chris · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:06 pm

Hey Mark, Is it going to Falcon Field?

Mark Clark · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 2:24 pm

FFZ. looks like a stay in Ark tonight due to high winds.

Chris · **Posted:** Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:17 pm

Thanks. I'll keep my eyes skyward tomorrow.

Mark Clark · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2009 3:13 pm

Pecos TX and westbound today.

Mark

Mark Clark · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2009 5:27 pm

Arrived safely at Falcon FIeld

MArk

Chris · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:42 pm

Beautiful plane! Falcon is having an open house tomorrow so I'll post some pics. I also met the owner, Jens. Seems like a real good guy.

Steve Nelson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 24, 2009 11:51 pm

Is Falcon Field her new home? I'll probably be stopping in there in the summer of next year.

SN

Chris · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 8:53 am

It will be based at Falcon but not on public display.

Chris · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:57 pm

A few pics of the ZooCat at her new home in Mesa Az.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Sat Apr 25, 2009 10:06 pm

Shame it still has that big photo port on the starboard side.
Reminds me of how Brian Reynold's FG used to be.
I recall that the Corsair was restricted from vertical maneuvers.
Is it the same for the F8F?

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Air Zoo Bearcat

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