Sunday, June 29, 2008

MUSTANG IN SINGAPORE


(Jim and I, with Selvam and flowers on arrival at Seletar Airport)

The Mustang has been busy and so have I. I had written in my last piece that I'd do photos of the Mustang in her home in Seletar Airport, Singapore and this is it. She's been flying in and around Indonesia and Thailand. Bangkok mainly and recent trip over to Phuket. Seajet is coming together as a premier charter company with multiple Aircraft available for lease and charter throughout the region. I won't be blogging too much about it in this space, lest it becomes more of an advertisement than a blog. But then, many people and even companies are known to use blogspace for their propaganda.


(Being towed in from the apron to the East Camp side of Seletar Airport where my hangar is located)

On arrival in Singapore, we were treated to a small reception party and given bouquets. After we headed across to the East Camp side of Seletar, the handlers towed the Airplane to a hangar that I have leased. I have built up offices inside the hangar to support the Operational aspects of the business and these offices have a good view of the Airplane in the hangar. The hangar has been there since World War II and I may have mentioned this before. The rear hangar door contains many "holes" in it. These have been caused by grenades, flying shrapnel and neat, round, bullet holes that was the result of the fighting between the Japanese and British forces before Singapore finally fell to Japanese hands. A few people have suggested that I repair or replace this "ugly" door but I won't, it's got too much history to tell.



The Mustang and I have had many visitors, some aviators and some not including my friend Yasmin from all the way down under - New Zealand. Reviews have all been good, whether the Mustang is on the ground or in the air. Jim's tenure as a contract pilot ended and we had good times together as a team. Randall Brink has taken over as our main pilot with Eric, for the next one year. Randall is famous for being an accomplished and experienced jet pilot and an author of several books including a story about Amelia Earhart's disappearance! He's a golf and boating enthusiast, not sure in what order. He's also written about living aboard boats.


(About to be towed into the hangar)


The Mustang is also fast becoming a celebrity locally. She will appear on Tattler Magazine cover page for the August issue of the Singapore edition of the World renowned magazine. Of course the models came with their designer outfits, bags and shoes. The photoshoot took place in the hangar. The entire thing looked like a movie set with lights, camera, spot boys, make up chaps, models running around and their friends who had come along to cheer them on. It took my peaceful Sunday and threw it out the window but I think she was happy and so was I.



Yours truly was also subsequently interviewed for the Formula 1 race edition titled "Boys and their big toys". Corny as it sounds, at least I think it does, the interview will be my first one in a non aviation forum. The Mustang and I seem to be competing in celebrity space! Let me say complementing. Without her, I'm not any one's favorite subject! There will be a time when the Mustang gets company soon, more planes and bigger outlay. Happy landings to all till next time.

10 comments:

aditya said...

But then, many people and even companies are known to use blogspace for their propaganda.
That is true.

Its good that u r preserving the history, by letting the World War II marks stay there.

Living aboard boats. Reminds me of Shikaras of Kashmir. Heard about it though never been on one.

Capt. Anup do post the photos of the Mustang when the Tattler Magazine is out.

Even after this Mustang gets company when u buy more planes, I am sure that N235SS will remain your heart-favourite.

Capt. Anup Murthy said...

Thanks Aditya. Unlike the Shikaras who live on house boats, these guys actually live aboard yachts and cruise around. In the Maldives I met many who were cruising around the World the whole year, with family and children being home schooled. I know some who live on their yachts in Singapore too and cruise around here for fun.

When the Tattler mag is put in August, I will post pictures of that. I saw their shoot and with all that diffused lighting, smoke machines and models with their haute couture, the airplane really look like a shadow but glamorous nevertheless.

Anonymous said...

Tattler Magazine and F1. Did you get to pose with them F1 girls? Or did your wife stand by the side with a concealed sword? :D

Capt. Anup Murthy said...

Thanks Nikhil, for your comment! Was Tattler girls. Not F1 girls. I did not pose with them, heck did not even meet them properly. And short answer: No Wife.

The interview with me is to appear in a special spread during the Formula 1 race and not clubbed with this photo shoot. For those that are not in the know, Singapore is hosting the FIRST EVER night race in the history of Formula 1. It is to be held (pre race and qualifying included) 26, 27, 28 September 2008. I believe there are still tickets unsold (about 20% remaining) so for those that want to come here and experience it, you still have the opportunity. Two things unique about this race and one is that it is a night race and the second is that this is the only street circuit in Asia.

Indrani said...

Hi Captain, why no photos of your Mustang with the models? Do splash them in your blog once the magazine is out. Would love to lay hands on the magazine, but it may not be possible. So post your interview too in your blog.

Since I am asking you too many things let me add one more, do post the pics of hangar doors with bullet marks. I have seen them only on target boards.(Keen because of the history that goes with it.) I will watch out for them in your other photo blog?

athul said...

wow , ur jet is as busy as u r .living and seeing places on a yatch , thats cool . must try that sometime .

looking forward to see jets snap on the magazine .

cudos to the jet and u .

Capt. Anup Murthy said...

Hi Indrani, one of the photos of the Mustang in the hangar has a small door in the background, powder blue in color. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see some shrapnel damage. I have had to male an unscheduled quick trip to India snd when I get back this weekend, I will take pictures of the hangar door and if time permits, will share some more stories about the WW II fight that went on at this location. Thanks for your requests, I will post the pictures after tattler releases the magazine as that has been agreed to with them. Also the interview that will appear during the F1 event will be posted here. Thanks again.

Thanks Athul, I don't get to go on the yacth much these days unfortunately. Hope to catch up a bit when I get back to Singapore. I am also busy with preparation to open an aviation company in Sharjah and busy with that as well, lot of things on my plate currently! That is all good though, there has been a time in the past when the plate was empty!

Capt. Anup Murthy said...

Hi Indrani, one of the photos of the Mustang in the hangar has a small door in the background, powder blue in color. If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see some shrapnel damage. I have had to male an unscheduled quick trip to India snd when I get back this weekend, I will take pictures of the hangar door and if time permits, will share some more stories about the WW II fight that went on at this location. Thanks for your requests, I will post the pictures after tattler releases the magazine as that has been agreed to with them. Also the interview that will appear during the F1 event will be posted here. Thanks again.

Thanks Athul, I don't get to go on the yacth much these days unfortunately. Hope to catch up a bit when I get back to Singapore. I am also busy with preparation to open an aviation company in Sharjah and busy with that as well, lot of things on my plate currently! That is all good though, there has been a time in the past when the plate was empty!

Musings of enfant terrible said...

Hi Captain,

I have recently developed some doubts about ATC operations in india/abroad after reading about brazil crash.

Pls Let me know your email id (mine is thakur.sumit@yahoo.co.in) so that i can send you my doubts and get it cleared if possible.
Thanks

Capt. Anup Murthy said...

Thanks Sumit, time permitting I can answer your questions. I sent an e-mail to you already.