'The Numpy `~numpy.ndarray` associated with this `Column`.
If the column was instantiated with an array passed to the ``array``
argument, this will return that array.  However, if the column is
later added to a table, such as via `BinTableHDU.from_columns` as
is typically the case, this attribute will be updated to reference
the associated field in the table, which may no longer be the same
array.'

@property
def array(self):

    if ('array' in self.__dict__):
        return self.__dict__['array']
    elif (self._parent_fits_rec is not None):
        parent = self._parent_fits_rec()
        if (parent is not None):
            return parent[self.name]
    else:
        return None
