HICKORY, N.C. — The Hickory Aviation Museum, an open-air exhibit, is no stranger to nature’s whims—rain, snow, wind, and even the occasional bee infestation have tested its historic aircraft. But last month, staff encountered an unexpected new resident: a feral cat who chose a decommissioned T-33 Shooting Star as the birthplace for her five kittens.
Dubbed “Phantom” after the aircraft, the clever feline managed to sneak into the jet’s tight confines, surprising museum staff when her presence—and that of her newborns—was discovered.
“It’s not unusual for wildlife to take shelter here, but this is the first time we’ve had a cat give birth inside one of our planes,” said Buford Barnett, the museum’s general manager.
A Surprise Discovery
The unusual tenants were first noticed by volunteer William Falls, a pilot who heard strange rustling noises coming from the Shooting Star. Investigating further, Falls snapped a photo inside the jet’s air intake, revealing Phantom and two of her kittens. Days later, another snapshot captured one curious kitten perched in the cockpit, as if awaiting clearance for takeoff.
“The photo is priceless,” Barnett said.
A Delicate Rescue
With the kittens tucked deep inside the narrow aircraft, safely extracting them proved difficult. Fortunately, Phantom eventually led her litter out, allowing the Humane Society of Catawba County to step in.
Barnett expressed relief at the intervention, noting the dangers feral kittens face outdoors, including predators like coyotes. “We didn’t want them becoming a snack for some other animal,” he said.
While the five kittens were trapped within days, Phantom—true to her elusive namesake—outsmarted rescuers for nearly a week, sneaking into traps to eat the bait without triggering them.
Kittens Headed for Brighter Futures
Now in the care of the Humane Society, the kittens—believed to be the only litter ever born inside a T-33—will soon be ready for adoption. Foster families are currently socializing them, preparing the adventurous felines for life in permanent homes.
“I’m sure they’re probably the only T-33 kittens in the world,” Barnett joked.
For cat lovers in central North Carolina, these one-of-a-kind felines may soon be cleared for landing in their forever homes.
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