Engine start and taxi is at 0:31, takeoff is about 5:04.... enjoy! Also, a lot of people have asked about why engine #4 was shut down, it was due to low oil pressure. EDIT: Thank you very much to everyone who has commented about their own stories of the Mars, it is wonderful to hear all the personal connections and history!
My parents, my sister and I flew on the Martin Mars in 1951. We were stationed in Hawaii transferring to the Mainland, landing in California. It was battleship gray of course. I sat at one of the portholes to see the clouds and the water below. This is very special to see it fly again, beautiful. Thank you.
@@cynthiajohnston8562 We have something in common. We flew Mars Hawaii from Alameda NAS to Honolulu in 1955 or’56. I still have a pretty good recollection of everything. How about you?
She was my Dad's Flying Boat from 1952 to her Naval retirement, He, Herbert George Horton jr. was an Aviation Machinist Mate Chief, and was her Flight Engineer. During that time he was stationed out on Oahu and she flew out of Kalihi Lagoon in Honolulu. I was born in '52 when we lived out in Makaha Beach, then moved to Nanakuli. His job was to be responsible for her mechanical well-being, something he was very proud of. At that time she was equipped with redundant engineering instrument panels, the only Mars so designed. The reason was that because there was such a limited number of them the flight engineers had 'on-the-job-training'. Coulson removed the second set of instruments and turned the space into the fire equipment control panel. She is NOT a 'plane', she is a Flying Boat, no landing gear !!
Which is gonna make Nickel Brothers’ job of hauling her out and sledding across the highway to the museum a particularly interesting piece of work; but living in Victoria and seeing what those guys can do, it’ll make for some fabulous YT videos😂
While true, that is the equivalent of a trailer for a private boat as those are not a permanent part of the design,her status as a flying boat doesn’t change. They do have to get her out of the water somehow. But thank you for pointing that out!!👍
As a kid, we stopped at Sproat Lake on our way to Long Beach. A fire broke out on the opposite mountainside, and the next thing we knew , a Martin Mars was barreling down the lake, filling its belly, and climbing up to douse the fire multiple times. That was over 55 years ago. WOW!
True, but there's something magic about a V12. First time I saw a P51 take off in person as a kid I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I knew it was how things were meant to be.
A treasured memory of my 1950s childhood was hearing DC6s, DC7s, and Connies cruising overhead enroute from northern airports to Jax or Miami. There is no modern-day equivalent.
Thanks for the video. I'm from Germany and it's nice to see the Martin Mars in the air again. In 2011 my current wife and I paddled the kayaks to Martin Mars and under the wing of Martin Mars I ask my wife to marry me, with success. Beautiful memories.
@user-fm7xy4ml9r Very smooth and smart move "neighbour" (Belgium) ! I wish you long life and happiness ! (blessed with a 'yes', under the wing of an old bird that saved many lives !)
2008..... We did a house swap on Vancouver Island. I reached out to the local flying club, got a guy called Phil, a Firefighter from Saanich. He arranged a 172 and flew us up to Sproat Lake. We were met by guys from FFT and went onto the Mars. The other one was out warming up. It came towards us on the step, - such a sight......such a privilege to see a wonderful aeroplane like that from inside another..... ! To see this one fly again is just so magnificent... Please do not retire it - keep it flying !!!
While I agree with you... I understand why they don't. Those engines are a finite resource, for which they will have a hard time sourcing replacement parts for, and they look like they're still working out the problems with the ones currently on the aircraft. They came in with one prop feathered. If I recall correctly, they're not really meant to even run on modern avgas, which means your flight engineer has to be even better at his job not to blow up the engines. Speaking of a flight engineer, the aircraft requires esoteric training by modern standards. I don't know if they're even training people as flight engineers these days. The crew has to handle a large multi-engine aircraft and a small ship at the same time. And flying boats are so rare that local water traffic is less likely to know what not to do around them, while simultaneously wanting to come and stare... which drives up the likelihood of an accident. Finally, this bird is old. She's had a long life of hard work, and that tends to fatigue various struts, spars, frames and surfaces. She's outlived not only her projected service life by probably an order of magnitude, but even the company that built her. Let her rest.
@@thomasgeorge4384 Agreed. As wonderful as it would be to keep flying the ol' girl she deserves a much earned retirement. There's only 2 Martin Mars left in the world and this is the only one that is still in good enough shape to be able to fly. That being said it should only be flown on rare occasions where it is absolutely necessary. It's an irreplaceable treasure.
In 1955 or 56 my mother, two sisters and I flew the Mars Hawaii from Alameda Naval Air Station to Honolulu to join my Navy dad. My dad had just recently been transferred there. We were on a MATS flight full of Navy dependents, servicemen and women. WE walked down the gangway and onto a float dock to board. Enlisted personnel and officer personnel sat in different areas. I think we were down below. Our one and only inflight meal was a baloney sandwich on white bread with mustard. Kids all got some kind of purple koolaide stuff and the adults got pretty bad black coffee. My mother later told me the coffee was so thick your spoon would stand up in it. I don’t remember much about the taxi out or the takeoff, but I’m sure it was thrilling. At some point during the crossing I woke up and I looked out a porthole. There in the darkness I saw the most beautiful red/orange and blue glow from those big Wright R 3350-8 alcohol injected engine exhaust stacks. I still remember that to this day. Well, that and the baloney sandwich with purple koolaide. God, that was terrible!
@@Steve757-fl1hd When you think about it half the stuff we do these days is basically magic. It used to take months or years to travel to the other side of the world, only a few people could do it, and it was reasonable to expect you might not make it, but now anyone can go basically anywhere in a day.
That "coffee" is what keeps up the fight for the troups. In IDF basic we had kitchen duty cleaning the giant aluminum pan used for preparing either tea or coffee. It had thick black gummy resudue you couldn't remove. The running joke was you couldn't tell the difference between the coffee and the tea.
To those wondering about the feathered #4 engine: it had something to do with oil pressure. The folks at coulson fixed it overnight and a test flight the following day confirmed that the engine was fixed.
Thanks for this. I've watched several videos of the test flight already and no one seems to have considered that the feathered number 4 had any significance.
@@markholroyde9412 ....how bloody marvelous to post such total drivel, here....those engines are one of the most complex and complicated gasoline powered, piston engines ever produced.....and you make such a disparaging remark??? you wouldnt be qualified to urinate in its latrine
The world needs a flying boat industry, tours between islands, no crazy costs but rotary engines, sunshine, ocean spray, a beautiful day of aviation and the sea.
@@RUclipsr-k2poh there is, they look similar to radial engines, but the difference is that crankshaft is imobile, and the engine, the cylinders spin around it, but it's mostly the ww1 tech on biplanes, was difficult to fly due to huge torque the engine put on a plane steering it constantly in one direction, but had some advantages for that time, until the tech for other types of construction improved. So yeah, wankel engines are commonly called rotary, but classic piston engines egisted in, well sort of classic piston engines in star sheped configuration, but rotary principle, simple stationary and rotary sides were exchenged.
Such a significant aircraft and absolutely majestic to watch around the beautiful scenery of Sproat Lake! The folks at Coulson deserve a huge round of applause for maintaining these historic aircraft for all these years!
2 месяца назад+5
@@tomster70 they still would be if it weren't for the BC united party a.k.a. the BC Liberals
My dad was a logging manager for MB, one of the original companies that had shares in Forest Industries Flying Tankers, as a result we were moved all over the coast to wherever MB had a division. The Mars were such an integral part of our lifes, it was always such a thrill to watch. At the start of fire season the divisions staged fire simulations for the Mars to practice. Later on as I was old enough and started working in the woods, I worked on 3 fires where the Mars were called in. Absolutely amazing air craft. The call would go out on the radio that the Mars were incoming and we had to evacuate the drop zone. You did not want to get hit with the drop. I will miss the old girls, the sound when they are filling the tanks is like something you will never hear again, the roar is earth moving. I think it is wrong that the government decided to no longer use them but I am super happy that Hawaii will be staying in BC.
2 месяца назад
@@wornoutwrench8128 you can thank Christy Clark and her cronies for that, and yes I remember them having the M&B logo, Crown Zellerbach, B.C. forest products and Canfor logos on the sides
2 месяца назад
@@wornoutwrench8128 you can tell by the paint scheme that MB put in the most $$$$
As a member of the Coast guard auxiliary, I remember when it was at the EAA in Oshkosh Wisconsin and struck a rock on lake Winnebago, ripping a hole in its hull, we escorted it back to the sea plane base and then assisted in shuttling pumps and personnel along with divers and equipment from shore to the air craft. It was a long night for us. The plane was kept afloat and repairs were made making it possible for the plane to fly back to Canada.
2 месяца назад
@@brucefuhrmann4616 thanks for your help with this treasure, we purchased 4 from the salvage Co. In the 50s and lost 2 , one by typhoon freida and one crashed on Vancouver Island fighting a forest fire killing all 4 crew members
@@sulevisydanmaa9981 I stopped at Sprout after she came home from Oshkosh for a peek. She was partially housed in a tent-like structure and as my brother in law and I were snooping around it a young mechanic came out to see what was up. I asked if he was fixing the Oshkosh damage which led to some additional aviation conversation and as he was about to take a coffee break asked if we like a tour. It turned into an extended break for we crawled from stem to stern and have some great picture memories.
I'm going to miss those big ol' birds ,I'm one of the few lucky ones to have seen the Hawaii and Pippa fighting fires together up Indian Arm in the 80s😢
Saw both in 1994 during the Garnet wildfire they were on both lakes for three days,and then ready for the muckers. That was after Conair messed around for a week.
MAGNIFICENT. The beautiful, elegant, enormous aircraft AND the efforts put into it by all the restorers. This machine MUST be preserved in flying condition. Very well done all involved. Take a bow.
it always amazes me how our flight professionals can build and coax such huge objects to fly...I watched a video of this craft, I think, flying into Oshkosh a few years back...felt wistful and envious the whole time...good working, for decades, you good folk who kept those behemoths airworthy!
I can't believe how easily it can take to the air. These planes are true marvels. Almost like watching the Spruce Goose rev up and fly with their size. King of the Air Tankers title will last forever. Great to see this flight.
I've been, for lack of a better word, lucky to see them up close fighting fire. Close enough to see pilot in window loading water, my dad had sailboat tight into shore and they gave us a show I'll never forget. The other time was on the ground front and center. I was conscripted out of the bar and sent to the line. Myself and four others had the job of putting out the cat cutting fire break. Best cat skinner I've ever seen. To see one of these in action up close is beyond incredible and something I'll never forget.
Like a rock star! Taxiing out with a floatilla of boat, and plane, paparazzi, cameras flicking. #4 was secured on landing, hopefully nothing major. I feel blessed to have witnessed the Mars many times in my life. One of my first memories was out mowing the lawn on a hot summer day in Duncan, probably around nine years old, and the Mars was skimming out of Quamichan Lake for a fire in Cowichan, or possibly Saltspring, when it flew over after it's scoops and water would rain down on me from the spray dripping off the hull. I was so impressed words can't describe. 😊 Hats off to the B.C. Aviation Museum for becoming the next curator of this piece of B.C. aviation history. M.P.
@fonkenful Definitely Quamichan. That wasn't the only time they picked up out of Quamichan. On Cowichan Forestry Days it would come down, scoop out of Quamichan and drop in front of the Forest Museum, now the Forest Discovery Center, on Somenos Lake. I've also seen it skim off Shawnigan Lake.
Glad to see the last 2 of the 7 built going to museums. Fitting that one stays in Canada (with 60 years of its operational life having been spent in the country) and one to the U.S. where it was built.
2 месяца назад+4
@@davidkendall1614 I still think it should have gone to the US Navy museum in Pensacola where it was supposed to go but you can thank Trump for causing that.....
Literally eyes welled up realizing this is one of THEE last times these beautiful gulls will grace the sky’s of BC and the world! What an absolute treasure not only to have seen them in action operating as a pair, but now being retired at the Aviation Museum at Victoria International Airport!💕🥲 I wish the pilots and crew on that final flight a safe and uneventful historic flight!
I’m thinking there’s gonna be a massive traffic jam on West Saanich Rd when Nickel Brothers move that gorgeous beast from Patricia Bay to the YYJ grounds.
@@ASDasdSDsadASD-nc7lf the engine was shut down due to a low oil pressure reading which turned out to be a faulty oil pressure gauge…no engine failure…I honestly thought at first glance they stopped the engine to run it through its paces and make sure it could fly on three engines before taking it on its last flight…it hasn’t flown in years so that was my initial thought…to me she looks brand new and very well maintained…it’s mere subjective opinion on my part just like, in my subjective opinion, based on your unsolicited rude response, you appear to me to be very negative and judgmental…do you know what that means?…there’s people like you everywhere and it’s unfortunate…do better…
I love that plane, it was certainly a big job to put it in fly after 8 years congrats to mechanic staff. Happy retirement to this beautiful seaplane.👏👍
I admire the pilots with the expertise to haul these big birds around. Are my eyes fooling me or did that giant land with one outboard engine feathered or shutdown? Thanks for the show.
So sad to see such an iconic and majestic aircraft being prepared to be put out to pasture, but also so glad she will be preserved. Beautiful, beautiful, and mighty historic aircraft. I'd always hoped they would put the two of them back in service, and yet was afraid of losing them in action. There will never be others like them.
Couldn't agree more. It is sad to see these aircraft leaving Sproat Lake for good, but it is also reassuring to know they will both be preserved, instead of potentially being involved in an accident during another fire season.
What a beaut. Hard to believe it's 80 years old and yet it has all the elegance of that era, when things just looked better. Such a shame that it's last flight is looming.
In the early 2000s I was given internet access at my job. In slow periods I did a lot of searching for aircraft history and discovered the story of the Martin Mars Flying Boats and how they found their way to Coulson Aviation Flying Tankers. So glad those magnificent aircraft are being retired and will be preserved in museums for all to see and enjoy. Looking forward to seeing Philipine Mars when she finds her way to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson in the future.
In mid summer 2003 both water bombers were used against fire in Thetis Lake Park Langford, B.C. We went up north side of Mill Hill Park to the top and observed the bombers picking up water in front of Esquimalt Lagoon. One flew above us and one around us as their routes. Afterwards, they attended another fire at Pedder Bay. What a site to see them in action. Such skilled professionals. Thank You for your services over the years.
About 25 years ago we visited a friend’s grandparents whose house was right on Sproat Lake. We pushed through the hedge and checked out the planes, which were hauled out for the winter. Massive machines, but what impressed me most was how small the water pickups were! Also got to see both Marses fly overhead once, one following the other.
Wow, that is huge! I flew out of Carson City, where there were some Grumman Albatross planes in the field, and I thought those were big. I guess these won't best the Spruce Goose, but it was great to see this amphibian take off and land. You might find it funny that in landing, I was waiting for the pilot to lower the landing gear. DOH!
I remember them fighting a big mill fire in New west. They picked up on Burnaby lake popped over the ridge hit the fire ,then a right turn over the fraser to come back to the lake about 20 mins.total circuit.i was about 9 came right over my house decending into the lake
Thanks! The #4 engine had a faulty oil pressure gauge, indicating low oil pressure which is why it was shut down. I don't think it delayed anything in their schedule.
I watched her pickup in Kootenay lake so many times when I was a boy. I remember thinking she was the coolest plane in existence. Excuse me, I seem to have something in my eye.
Great video. Such a beautiful aircraft from an era where innovation overcame limitations. Can't fly across the Pacific?? No problem, we'll just land on it.
@@AndreA-ke2id Its last flight is quite soon I'm afraid, August 11th. However, the other airframe, the Philippine Mars, will be restored to airworthy condition too, and that will probably still be many months from now.
@@nybotor1 I'm going to look at the logistics of getting there for 11th but I don't think it will work. If I can't get there this time how can I find details of the Philippine Mars flights when it's ready?
Beautiful lift off! I was able to see the Mars Water Bombers on Sproat Lake in the summer of 1976when I was just 15 years old. We went under the parked (2) water bombers wings in a Zodiac, the wings are massive! The third water bomber was used for parts to keep the other two flying.
Looks like they shut it down fairly early in the flight, as it's feathered in the high pass shown around 6:50. Thumbs way up for Peter Killin and crew for handling that challenge successfully after 8 years of not flying this magnificent aircraft. Well done!
This was an amazing ship. Many memorable stories from My Father, who was selected in 1945 as the plane's Commander of the"Old Lady" The largest operational Seaplane of its time and predecessor to the JRM-1 in the video. The Old Lady was the training platform for future pilots for the Mars program. Glad to see she is headed to the Museum for all to appreciate her immense size and contribution to Military and private service.
Flying into Saanich Inlet mid August destined for the BC Aviation Museum at the Victoria International Airport. Will take a few weeks to get it to the museum and put it on display.
Hi!! What a beautifull machine! I'm Aeronautical Engineer and I love to see this planes flying and cared as this. Thank you for the vid, no sounds, only the engines and place. Great! Cheers from Argentina!
It’s a damn shame these planes are going to a museum and not being kept airworthy. It would be really fucking cool if Hawaii Mars and Philippine Mars could travel around the United States and Canada to go to different air shows. But I completely understand why they’re doing it. There was only seven of them built and they’re an extremely rare piece of aviation history.
Not to be morbid, but reality is what it is. Every time one of these old birds takes to the air, there's a small chance it won't return safely. Think what a misfortune it would be to lose one of them. For example, the B-17 909 was lost in 2019 while another was lost at a Dallas air show in November 2022. Sometimes a museum may be the prudent option.
@@clarencegreen3071 Was thinking of the Collings Foundation B-17 909 before I read your comment. I went up in her several years before the crash in 2019. Even then I though I was crazy for, going up in a 60+ year old plane. Don’t regret it though. Bucket list flight.
@@mickkirk2157 I had one of those readings on a DHC 8 going into Saskatoon years ago. Broken oil line, a blizzard, high winds. Pax sent home with a war story to tell.
Had the opportunity to fly it once on a ferry flight so empty of load of course. It was quite sensitive in pitch but roll was something else. Full deflection of the control wheel and there was a long pause before it started to slowly roll and this was empty! I had great respect for the pilots who flew those things into relatively narrow valleys fully loaded with 6000 gals of water to drop on a fire on a side hill while in a turn. They had to think, react and prepare a long way back to get it right. Flight engineers sat a long way back and managed the engines and systems at a huge console with a multitude of gages and controls, they were busy boys, very impressive to see.
Wish I could have caught this beauty doing the test flights... Or even once it heads out for good... Would certainly be a once in a lifetime opportunity
Engine start and taxi is at 0:31, takeoff is about 5:04.... enjoy! Also, a lot of people have asked about why engine #4 was shut down, it was due to low oil pressure.
EDIT: Thank you very much to everyone who has commented about their own stories of the Mars, it is wonderful to hear all the personal connections and history!
Thanks! Do you know what happened to #4? Don't answer, I was told that it was a low oil pressure reading.
What happened to the one that the new owner had painted it as her US NAVY service then the FAA refused it to be flown in the US
AG600 is coming !
@@leifvejby8023 Yes, I was told it was actually just a faulty gauge reading low oil pressure but the engine is fine.
@@Auggies1956 The Philippine Mars is still painted in its US Navy colours, and it will be going to a museum in the US.
My parents, my sister and I flew on the Martin Mars in 1951. We were stationed in Hawaii transferring to the Mainland, landing in California. It was battleship gray of course. I sat at one of the portholes to see the clouds and the water below. This is very special to see it fly again, beautiful. Thank you.
@@cynthiajohnston8562 We have something in common. We flew Mars Hawaii from Alameda NAS to Honolulu in 1955 or’56. I still have a pretty good recollection of everything. How about you?
i grew up on apollo 21 so you aint it
She was my Dad's Flying Boat from 1952 to her Naval retirement, He, Herbert George Horton jr. was an Aviation Machinist Mate Chief, and was her Flight Engineer. During that time he was stationed out on Oahu and she flew out of Kalihi Lagoon in Honolulu. I was born in '52 when we lived out in Makaha Beach, then moved to Nanakuli. His job was to be responsible for her mechanical well-being, something he was very proud of. At that time she was equipped with redundant engineering instrument panels, the only Mars so designed. The reason was that because there was such a limited number of them the flight engineers had 'on-the-job-training'. Coulson removed the second set of instruments and turned the space into the fire equipment control panel. She is NOT a 'plane', she is a Flying Boat, no landing gear !!
Which is gonna make Nickel Brothers’ job of hauling her out and sledding across the highway to the museum a particularly interesting piece of work; but living in Victoria and seeing what those guys can do, it’ll make for some fabulous YT videos😂
@@fonkenful I can't wait to see it!
@@garyhorton9827 they do have beaching wheels that are put on at the beaching location (carried by truck or loaded in cargo bay)
While true, that is the equivalent of a trailer for a private boat as those are not a permanent part of the design,her status as a flying boat doesn’t change. They do have to get her out of the water somehow. But thank you for pointing that out!!👍
@@garyhorton9827 I'm assuming they will come into the beach in Sydney as that would be shortest haul to the museum .?
As a kid, we stopped at Sproat Lake on our way to Long Beach. A fire broke out on the opposite mountainside, and the next thing we knew , a Martin Mars was barreling down the lake, filling its belly, and climbing up to douse the fire multiple times. That was over 55 years ago. WOW!
That was Camron Lake. I watched that with you on my home to Ucluelet.
We were on Sproat lake in our fishing boat and went under the wing like 50 years ago,,thanks dad
@@renaissanceman8564 A little less time on the lake and more time in the classroom learning English would have been helpful.
The beautiful sound of a radial engine starting up! It will never get old.
Yep! Those mighty P&W 4360's were the ultimate in radial engine development.
Amen sir ! Amen !
@@gregedmand9939
The Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone is in these aircraft.
True, but there's something magic about a V12. First time I saw a P51 take off in person as a kid I didn't know exactly what was going on, but I knew it was how things were meant to be.
A treasured memory of my 1950s childhood was hearing DC6s, DC7s, and Connies cruising overhead enroute from northern airports to Jax or Miami. There is no modern-day equivalent.
Thanks for the video. I'm from Germany and it's nice to see the Martin Mars in the air again. In 2011 my current wife and I paddled the kayaks to Martin Mars and under the wing of Martin Mars I ask my wife to marry me, with success. Beautiful memories.
@user-fm7xy4ml9r Very smooth and smart move "neighbour" (Belgium) !
I wish you long life and happiness ! (blessed with a 'yes', under the wing of an old bird that saved many lives !)
Sehr schön, ich schmunzle über die Formulierung "current wife"! 😉
What a cute tale...
* chews my popcorn *
@@karloarsch1579 Ich auch. Die nächste wird unter dem Flügel einer Cessna gefragt...😂🤣
awesome
This thing is a flying work of art 🥲
Everything our ancestors made was better than our overpriced throw away trash.
@@ChuckBeefOG ,
I'm sorry I can only give you one "thumbs up" for that comment.
2008..... We did a house swap on Vancouver Island. I reached out to the local flying club, got a guy called Phil, a Firefighter from Saanich. He arranged a 172 and flew us up to Sproat Lake. We were met by guys from FFT and went onto the Mars. The other one was out warming up. It came towards us on the step, - such a sight......such a privilege to see a wonderful aeroplane like that from inside another..... ! To see this one fly again is just so magnificent... Please do not retire it - keep it flying !!!
While I agree with you... I understand why they don't. Those engines are a finite resource, for which they will have a hard time sourcing replacement parts for, and they look like they're still working out the problems with the ones currently on the aircraft. They came in with one prop feathered. If I recall correctly, they're not really meant to even run on modern avgas, which means your flight engineer has to be even better at his job not to blow up the engines. Speaking of a flight engineer, the aircraft requires esoteric training by modern standards. I don't know if they're even training people as flight engineers these days. The crew has to handle a large multi-engine aircraft and a small ship at the same time. And flying boats are so rare that local water traffic is less likely to know what not to do around them, while simultaneously wanting to come and stare... which drives up the likelihood of an accident. Finally, this bird is old. She's had a long life of hard work, and that tends to fatigue various struts, spars, frames and surfaces. She's outlived not only her projected service life by probably an order of magnitude, but even the company that built her. Let her rest.
Well said
@@thomasgeorge4384 Agreed. As wonderful as it would be to keep flying the ol' girl she deserves a much earned retirement. There's only 2 Martin Mars left in the world and this is the only one that is still in good enough shape to be able to fly. That being said it should only be flown on rare occasions where it is absolutely necessary. It's an irreplaceable treasure.
@@thomasgeorge4384They still have a number of engines in storage that have never been used.
@@FranksPlace-jk7pjwith the age of these aircraft I doubt they have any engines that have had no usage... Maybe none since last overhaul...
In 1955 or 56 my mother, two sisters and I flew the Mars Hawaii from Alameda Naval Air Station to Honolulu to join my Navy dad. My dad had just recently been transferred there. We were on a MATS flight full of Navy dependents, servicemen and women. WE walked down the gangway and onto a float dock to board. Enlisted personnel and officer personnel sat in different areas. I think we were down below. Our one and only inflight meal was a baloney sandwich on white bread with mustard. Kids all got some kind of purple koolaide stuff and the adults got pretty bad black coffee. My mother later told me the coffee was so thick your spoon would stand up in it. I don’t remember much about the taxi out or the takeoff, but I’m sure it was thrilling. At some point during the crossing I woke up and I looked out a porthole. There in the darkness I saw the most beautiful red/orange and blue glow from those big Wright R 3350-8 alcohol injected engine exhaust stacks. I still remember that to this day. Well, that and the baloney sandwich with purple koolaide. God, that was terrible!
@@Steve757-fl1hd Still a great tale ! How many can regail that story ? 🥰
@@johndavey72 You know - at the time I guess none of us thought much about what we were doing. But, it was definitely something special.
@@Steve757-fl1hd When you think about it half the stuff we do these days is basically magic. It used to take months or years to travel to the other side of the world, only a few people could do it, and it was reasonable to expect you might not make it, but now anyone can go basically anywhere in a day.
From what I have heard, that coffee would be standard Navy rations. They like it strong.
That "coffee" is what keeps up the fight for the troups. In IDF basic we had kitchen duty cleaning the giant aluminum pan used for preparing either tea or coffee. It had thick black gummy resudue you couldn't remove. The running joke was you couldn't tell the difference between the coffee and the tea.
To those wondering about the feathered #4 engine: it had something to do with oil pressure. The folks at coulson fixed it overnight and a test flight the following day confirmed that the engine was fixed.
Thanks for this. I've watched several videos of the test flight already and no one seems to have considered that the feathered number 4 had any significance.
A dope left a fitting loose then in other words 🤣
7:53
@@markholroyde9412 ....how bloody marvelous to post such total drivel, here....those engines are one of the most complex and complicated gasoline powered, piston engines ever produced.....and you make such a disparaging remark??? you wouldnt be qualified to urinate in its latrine
thank you for the info
I'm so glad to hear that it will remain in British Columbia. It marks something to make BC to be proud of.
The world needs a flying boat industry, tours between islands, no crazy costs but rotary engines, sunshine, ocean spray, a beautiful day of aviation and the sea.
radial engines
Soon sadly all combustion engines will be forbidden in EU and most states of the USA! (BABVVO; TEBBVO and SCHLABOUBVE LAWS)
No such thing as a rotary engine in an aeroplane as far as I know. Mazda make them for cars though.
@@Schlipperschloppertake your ridiculous troll propaganda elsewhere. Combustion engines will not be forbidden in the near future.
@@RUclipsr-k2poh there is, they look similar to radial engines, but the difference is that crankshaft is imobile, and the engine, the cylinders spin around it, but it's mostly the ww1 tech on biplanes, was difficult to fly due to huge torque the engine put on a plane steering it constantly in one direction, but had some advantages for that time, until the tech for other types of construction improved.
So yeah, wankel engines are commonly called rotary, but classic piston engines egisted in, well sort of classic piston engines in star sheped configuration, but rotary principle, simple stationary and rotary sides were exchenged.
Such a significant aircraft and absolutely majestic to watch around the beautiful scenery of Sproat Lake! The folks at Coulson deserve a huge round of applause for maintaining these historic aircraft for all these years!
@@tomster70 they still would be if it weren't for the BC united party a.k.a. the BC Liberals
My dad was a logging manager for MB, one of the original companies that had shares in Forest Industries Flying Tankers, as a result we were moved all over the coast to wherever MB had a division. The Mars were such an integral part of our lifes, it was always such a thrill to watch.
At the start of fire season the divisions staged fire simulations for the Mars to practice.
Later on as I was old enough and started working in the woods, I worked on 3 fires where the Mars were called in. Absolutely amazing air craft. The call would go out on the radio that the Mars were incoming and we had to evacuate the drop zone. You did not want to get hit with the drop.
I will miss the old girls, the sound when they are filling the tanks is like something you will never hear again, the roar is earth moving.
I think it is wrong that the government decided to no longer use them but I am super happy that Hawaii will be staying in BC.
@@wornoutwrench8128 you can thank Christy Clark and her cronies for that, and yes I remember them having the M&B logo, Crown Zellerbach, B.C. forest products and Canfor logos on the sides
@@wornoutwrench8128 you can tell by the paint scheme that MB put in the most $$$$
Amazing aircraft! Yes, politicians shouldn't be allowed to make important decisions.
Its sad it will never fly again when its at Patricia Bay, but putting this absolute unit of a seaplane on display makes me happy
Once again in the air I found I could not blink
As a member of the Coast guard auxiliary, I remember when it was at the EAA in Oshkosh Wisconsin and struck a rock on lake Winnebago, ripping a hole in its hull, we escorted it back to the sea plane base and then assisted in shuttling pumps and personnel along with divers and equipment from shore to the air craft. It was a long night for us. The plane was kept afloat and repairs were made making it possible for the plane to fly back to Canada.
@@brucefuhrmann4616 thanks for your help with this treasure, we purchased 4 from the salvage Co. In the 50s and lost 2 , one by typhoon freida and one crashed on Vancouver Island fighting a forest fire killing all 4 crew members
Not widely reported, 1st x I hear.
@@sulevisydanmaa9981
I stopped at Sprout after she came home from Oshkosh for a peek. She was partially housed in a tent-like structure and as my brother in law and I were snooping around it a young mechanic came out to see what was up. I asked if he was fixing the Oshkosh damage which led to some additional aviation conversation and as he was about to take a coffee break asked if we like a tour. It turned into an extended break for we crawled from stem to stern and have some great picture memories.
Was amazing to see the ol girl in the sky again!! 😍 Core memories for me growing up at Sproat Lake 💓
Sure was an amazing sight!
was fortunate 8 years ago to kneel between the pilots and fly around port alberni twice, cross that off the bucket list
As technology marches on, it's still great to see a beautiful machine restored to it's original glory!
It’s not restored it’s always been kept pristine.
I'm going to miss those big ol' birds ,I'm one of the few lucky ones to have seen the Hawaii and Pippa fighting fires together up Indian Arm in the 80s😢
my husband was a forest firefighter for a season in the 70's when he was young. He considers it a thrill of his lifetime to be dumped on by the Mars.
@@mickkirk2157 Blessed with Holy Water. 👍
Saw both in 1994 during the Garnet wildfire they were on both lakes for three days,and then ready for the muckers.
That was after Conair messed around for a week.
Wish I could have seen that back then!
MAGNIFICENT. The beautiful, elegant, enormous aircraft AND the efforts put into it by all the restorers. This machine MUST be preserved in flying condition. Very well done all involved. Take a bow.
Let's hope it flies at airshows rather that it being stuck in a display never to fly again. The thought of that is sickening.
These were restored daily by hundreds of workers when they were in service. It is not particularly meaningful that a few more restore this one.
Beautiful. It breaks my heart that this aircraft is going to be a static display, never to touch the sky again.
What a waste to put in the museum.
Wish I could have seen a scoop and sploosh from this retired aircraft. Magnificent.
it always amazes me how our flight professionals can build and coax such huge objects to fly...I watched a video of this craft, I think, flying into Oshkosh a few years back...felt wistful and envious the whole time...good working, for decades, you good folk who kept those behemoths airworthy!
I don’t imagine there are many pilots that can fly one of these
In 2008 we visited Philippine Mars at Sproat Lake when she was on shore for maintenance. Unforgettable! Great to see this one up in the air again 😎
I can't believe how easily it can take to the air. These planes are true marvels. Almost like watching the Spruce Goose rev up and fly with their size. King of the Air Tankers title will last forever. Great to see this flight.
I've been, for lack of a better word, lucky to see them up close fighting fire. Close enough to see pilot in window loading water, my dad had sailboat tight into shore and they gave us a show I'll never forget. The other time was on the ground front and center. I was conscripted out of the bar and sent to the line. Myself and four others had the job of putting out the cat cutting fire break. Best cat skinner I've ever seen. To see one of these in action up close is beyond incredible and something I'll never forget.
Too bad more weren’t made. Glad to see these are being saved. As a wildland firefighter, always loved the tankers and the brave pilots.
They weren't needed.
I love seeing older stuff still being used.
Beautiful. I grew up in that area and it was always a thrill seeing those planes, even when they were just sitting on the lake.
My uncle had a cabin on Sproat Lake and we used to paddle around them about 65 years ago or so.
Got the privilege to work with the Mars on a couple of my fires back in the 90’s. what an awe inspiring site ❤️
Great video of a magnificent aircraft. Nothing like the sound of massive piston engines, a sound that just doesn't exist anymore.
Pratt and Whitney 4360's 4 rows of 9 cylinders.
@@ohwell2790 The mars Bombers have P&W 3350's which have 18 cylinders per engine and 2500 hp each
@@brendenjacob4577 and with a feathered prop on #4 on return
@@Wannes_ I saw, why was that?
Faulty oil pressure gauge indicated low oil pressure, engine was shut down.
Like a rock star! Taxiing out with a floatilla of boat, and plane, paparazzi, cameras flicking. #4 was secured on landing, hopefully nothing major.
I feel blessed to have witnessed the Mars many times in my life. One of my first memories was out mowing the lawn on a hot summer day in Duncan, probably around nine years old, and the Mars was skimming out of Quamichan Lake for a fire in Cowichan, or possibly Saltspring, when it flew over after it's scoops and water would rain down on me from the spray dripping off the hull. I was so impressed words can't describe. 😊
Hats off to the B.C. Aviation Museum for becoming the next curator of this piece of B.C. aviation history.
M.P.
QUAMICHAN LAKE?!
Hell, I’ld be leery trying to scoop up water from a helicopter on that!😂
@@57JimmyCowichan, perhaps?
@fonkenful Definitely Quamichan. That wasn't the only time they picked up out of Quamichan. On Cowichan Forestry Days it would come down, scoop out of Quamichan and drop in front of the Forest Museum, now the Forest Discovery Center, on Somenos Lake. I've also seen it skim off Shawnigan Lake.
@@brokendowndog The guys who pilot these monsters must have nerves of steel.
Glad to see the last 2 of the 7 built going to museums. Fitting that one stays in Canada (with 60 years of its operational life having been spent in the country) and one to the U.S. where it was built.
@@davidkendall1614 I still think it should have gone to the US Navy museum in Pensacola where it was supposed to go but you can thank Trump for causing that.....
Literally eyes welled up realizing this is one of THEE last times these beautiful gulls will grace the sky’s of BC and the world!
What an absolute treasure not only to have seen them in action operating as a pair, but now being retired at the Aviation Museum at Victoria International Airport!💕🥲
I wish the pilots and crew on that final flight a safe and uneventful historic flight!
I’m thinking there’s gonna be a massive traffic jam on West Saanich Rd when Nickel Brothers move that gorgeous beast from Patricia Bay to the YYJ grounds.
The shot at 9:52 👍👍👍👍Such a beautiful aircraft .....
Thanks!
What a glorious sight and sound.....thanks!!
Coulson has always done a great job in Aviation! Way to go!
Such grace & beauty!
3:00 Such manoeuvrability for a giant bird... On water !
Rust In Pieces old fire fighter ! 🤟
Hard to believe it’s about 80 years old…it looks brand new!!
Not with that failed engine it doesn't. Do you know what brand new means?
@@ASDasdSDsadASD-nc7lf the engine was shut down due to a low oil pressure reading which turned out to be a faulty oil pressure gauge…no engine failure…I honestly thought at first glance they stopped the engine to run it through its paces and make sure it could fly on three engines before taking it on its last flight…it hasn’t flown in years so that was my initial thought…to me she looks brand new and very well maintained…it’s mere subjective opinion on my part just like, in my subjective opinion, based on your unsolicited rude response, you appear to me to be very negative and judgmental…do you know what that means?…there’s people like you everywhere and it’s unfortunate…do better…
So glad to see Coulson keeping this beautiful piece of aviation history alive and well.
I love that plane, it was certainly a big job to put it in fly after 8 years congrats to mechanic staff. Happy retirement to this beautiful seaplane.👏👍
I admire the pilots with the expertise to haul these big birds around. Are my eyes fooling me or did that giant land with one outboard engine feathered or shutdown? Thanks for the show.
Beautiful plane - so majestic!
What a magnificent aircraft it is. My hat's off to those who can fly this wonderful machine.
I understand why she has to finally retire, but I do not want to accept it.
No excuse why it can't fly at local or regional airshows. I hate museum peic3es that don't go anywhere.
@@muffs55mercury61there are three more of them still at the lake
@@bensyroishka6335 uh no these are the only 2 left, the other 5 were scrapped or destroyed in crashed.
So do I... 😔
@@bensyroishka6335 No, C-FLYL is the last one flying, C-FLYK is not airworthy since years. The other 5 built are lost.
Such a gorgeous aircraft. My grandfather worked on the Mars production program when he was with Martin Aircraft Corp.
Wow, that's really cool to hear!
One of the Most Beautiful Flying machines ever built.... Sure don't want to see them parked forever.
OMG that’s beautiful, I used to see these long ago in Sydney Harbour, and. Catalinas
So sad to see such an iconic and majestic aircraft being prepared to be put out to pasture, but also so glad she will be preserved. Beautiful, beautiful, and mighty historic aircraft. I'd always hoped they would put the two of them back in service, and yet was afraid of losing them in action. There will never be others like them.
Couldn't agree more. It is sad to see these aircraft leaving Sproat Lake for good, but it is also reassuring to know they will both be preserved, instead of potentially being involved in an accident during another fire season.
What a beaut. Hard to believe it's 80 years old and yet it has all the elegance of that era, when things just looked better. Such a shame that it's last flight is looming.
Just wow! Best footage I've seen of the Mars yet!
Thank you.
In the early 2000s I was given internet access at my job. In slow periods I did a lot of searching for aircraft history and discovered the story of the Martin Mars Flying Boats and how they found their way to Coulson Aviation Flying Tankers. So glad those magnificent aircraft are being retired and will be preserved in museums for all to see and enjoy. Looking forward to seeing Philipine Mars when she finds her way to the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson in the future.
In mid summer 2003 both water bombers were used against fire in Thetis Lake Park Langford, B.C. We went up north side of Mill Hill Park to the top and observed the bombers picking up water in front of Esquimalt Lagoon. One flew above us and one around us as their routes. Afterwards, they attended another fire at Pedder Bay. What a site to see them in action. Such skilled professionals. Thank You for your services over the years.
Yeah...I was living in Langford then.....just a across and uphill from the park...awesome sight! ......and the sound!
Yup, they make for quite a sight that day.
About 25 years ago we visited a friend’s grandparents whose house was right on Sproat Lake. We pushed through the hedge and checked out the planes, which were hauled out for the winter. Massive machines, but what impressed me most was how small the water pickups were! Also got to see both Marses fly overhead once, one following the other.
What an insane experience. Awesome filming.
Sure was, thanks! You gonna be at Victoria for the final flight?
Would have been nice to have seen the touchdown.
@@russelldawkins9094 Yes, I wish I knew where they were going to touch down on landing.
Wow, that is huge! I flew out of Carson City, where there were some Grumman Albatross planes in the field, and I thought those were big. I guess these won't best the Spruce Goose, but it was great to see this amphibian take off and land. You might find it funny that in landing, I was waiting for the pilot to lower the landing gear. DOH!
I remember them fighting a big mill fire in New west. They picked up on Burnaby lake popped over the ridge hit the fire ,then a right turn over the fraser to come back to the lake about 20 mins.total circuit.i was about 9 came right over my house decending into the lake
What a beautiful bird! Better a museum that the wrecking yard but I wish it could fly forever.
Absolutely because! I have been privileged to see this plane in person at Oshkosh several years ago. Wonder why number 4 was feathered on landing?
What a beauty! She came off the step without hesitation - very smooth.
Thank you for filming this and sharing it with us.
Glad you enjoyed, thanks!
Fantastic job being in the right spot and getting this footage! I hope whatever happened with the outboard engine doesn't delay their plans too much.
Thanks! The #4 engine had a faulty oil pressure gauge, indicating low oil pressure which is why it was shut down. I don't think it delayed anything in their schedule.
She may be big but she sure is graceful! Happy retirement!
1) Such a beautiful machine
2) Ah the dreaded 3 engine approach (I kid 😂)
The size of that rudder is insane!
She sounds beautiful and looks proud being back out at her mooring on the lake.
Saw her at Oshkosh in 2016. So amazing how huge it is! Definitely a piece of history.
I just watched that video a few days back. Im happy this showed up
What an elegant plane. That tail! ❤
I watched her pickup in Kootenay lake so many times when I was a boy. I remember thinking she was the coolest plane in existence.
Excuse me, I seem to have something in my eye.
Wow that's one big bird
Great Job! Capturing history!
Thank you!
I don’t have any personal connections with the aircraft, I just love beautiful aircraft. Thank you for saving it.
Great video. Such a beautiful aircraft from an era where innovation overcame limitations. Can't fly across the Pacific?? No problem, we'll just land on it.
Absolutely beautiful aircraft
Awesome filming ! Such a splendid looking and sounding aircraft. 👏👍
Thank you very much!
What a beautiful aircraft...I seen the videos, on the water and in the air. She never ceases to amaze.
Thank you, thank you for sharing this. I'm overjoyed to see this graceful old lady take to the sky again.
You're very welcome, glad you enjoyed it.
@@nybotor1Just one question, is there a schedule for this gentle giant's remaining flights ?
If time allowed I would travel from Europe to see it.
@@AndreA-ke2id Its last flight is quite soon I'm afraid, August 11th. However, the other airframe, the Philippine Mars, will be restored to airworthy condition too, and that will probably still be many months from now.
@@nybotor1 I'm going to look at the logistics of getting there for 11th but I don't think it will work.
If I can't get there this time how can I find details of the Philippine Mars flights when it's ready?
Beautiful lift off! I was able to see the Mars Water Bombers on Sproat Lake in the summer of 1976when I was just 15 years old. We went under the parked (2) water bombers wings in a Zodiac, the wings are massive! The third water bomber was used for parts to keep the other two flying.
What an amazing aircraft, magnificent! And, brilliant filming.
What an absolute treasure! ... May it be the subject of awe and admiration for many more decades to come!
Any info on the no. 4 engine shut down? Also, can't wait for its sister to come to Arizona but sad it'll be over.
Looks like they shut it down fairly early in the flight, as it's feathered in the high pass shown around 6:50. Thumbs way up for Peter Killin and crew for handling that challenge successfully after 8 years of not flying this magnificent aircraft. Well done!
But a great place to be shown, love the Navy colours
This was an amazing ship. Many memorable stories from My Father, who was selected in 1945 as the plane's Commander of the"Old Lady" The largest operational Seaplane of its time and predecessor to the JRM-1 in the video. The Old Lady was the training platform for future pilots for the Mars program. Glad to see she is headed to the Museum for all to appreciate her immense size and contribution to Military and private service.
The "Old Lady" was the name given to the Mars prototype, right? That's a really neat story!
Flying into Saanich Inlet mid August destined for the BC Aviation Museum at the Victoria International Airport. Will take a few weeks to get it to the museum and put it on display.
Great to see this old aircraft flying love the paint job well done everyone 👏👏👍
Massively cool, too bad they gotta retire em. Too expensive to fly and maintain. But so beautiful. Another age and time!
Hi!! What a beautifull machine! I'm Aeronautical Engineer and I love to see this planes flying and cared as this. Thank you for the vid, no sounds, only the engines and place. Great! Cheers from Argentina!
Glad you enjoyed! You're very welcome.
It’s a damn shame these planes are going to a museum and not being kept airworthy. It would be really fucking cool if Hawaii Mars and Philippine Mars could travel around the United States and Canada to go to different air shows. But I completely understand why they’re doing it. There was only seven of them built and they’re an extremely rare piece of aviation history.
A few years ago, one flew to Airventure in Oshkosh and did a water bombing demonstration. It was awesome!
@royschalk6554 that was 2016.
Aeroplanes belong in the air. I'd almost kill to see one of these fly.
Not to be morbid, but reality is what it is. Every time one of these old birds takes to the air, there's a small chance it won't return safely. Think what a misfortune it would be to lose one of them. For example, the B-17 909 was lost in 2019 while another was lost at a Dallas air show in November 2022. Sometimes a museum may be the prudent option.
@@clarencegreen3071 Was thinking of the Collings Foundation B-17 909 before I read your comment. I went up in her several years before the crash in 2019. Even then I though I was crazy for, going up in a 60+ year old plane. Don’t regret it though. Bucket list flight.
I saw it flying over the Highlands near Victoria more than a decade ago. Awesome!
AWESOME!
I have watched many videos of this beautiful plane and would of loved to see her in real life. What an amazing aircraft
Looks like the number 4 engine was shut down.
they got a low oil reading so to be safe, they shut it down. Made a few adjustments before they take off again today
@@mickkirk2157 I had one of those readings on a DHC 8 going into Saskatoon years ago. Broken oil line, a blizzard, high winds. Pax sent home with a war story to tell.
NOPE.
Beautiful...and those engines - WOW!
#4 punched-out for practice/recurrent, or it crapped out?
I thought the #4 was feathered , glad it wasn’t my old eyes playing tricks
Had the opportunity to fly it once on a ferry flight so empty of load of course. It was quite sensitive in pitch but roll was something else. Full deflection of the control wheel and there was a long pause before it started to slowly roll and this was empty! I had great respect for the pilots who flew those things into relatively narrow valleys fully loaded with 6000 gals of water to drop on a fire on a side hill while in a turn. They had to think, react and prepare a long way back to get it right. Flight engineers sat a long way back and managed the engines and systems at a huge console with a multitude of gages and controls, they were busy boys, very impressive to see.
That plane shouldn’t be in a museum. It deserves to be in the sky, what it was made for. Kinda like why animals shouldn’t be in zoos.
I do agree with you but i think lack of parts out there is the problem.
Lack of parts and a completely unreplaceable piece of history. Safetest place would be for her to retire with dignity in a Museum.
large flying boats are easily some of the most beautiful machines ever created. i'd love it if there were many more of them in production.
Agreed! Wish they were still a common thing!
Anyone know what happend to the outboard engine #4 .? I believe it was featherd ?
Wish I could have caught this beauty doing the test flights... Or even once it heads out for good... Would certainly be a once in a lifetime opportunity
It was incredible to witness, especially since I am not old enough to have ever remembered a time when it was in service.