Of the original 7 built. There were two of these moored at Sproat Lake, east of Port Alberni. I was having in lunch in Youbou at a pub when I heard this deafening roar and scrambled out of my chair to go look. It was one of our Martin Mars scooping up water out of the lake. You talk about one thrilled gal to have witnessed this personally. I now have a life-long long love of this magnificent aircraft. Sure could use it now if the airplane's maintenance was financially viable, but unfortunately it is not. The other issue is it must have timely access a lake to take on water to fight wildfires. From the first airplane put into service in 1941 after Pearl Harbour to the present day, the history is extraordinary. We will almost surely never see the likes of her again in our lifetimes. I will always LOVE this aircraft ♥
Due to the needed parts and also maintenance it had to be retired and we have other water tankers that far superceded these old birds and the first ones are the LOCKHEED C-130 older models that are in use today and the others that are used are the C-215 ones from CANADAIR and are ready when needed.
I really don’t understand why they refuse to use these planes Coulson has six of these they are way bigger and are capable of knocking out a fire before it gets going. It makes no sense to me
I think these units were the peak of old flying boat technology. They were the best planes and were able to do several unique jobs/functions in use. Like all things that work or are not making someone a lot of cash they were overnight relegated to history with only a few exceptions still around or in use. I hope that someone brings these planes back and put them into some sort of specific use, complete with all the modern advances to make them fly better. And last a long time. I still think they have a use as passenger service planes, ones that provide a unique type of trip. Imagine sleeping on a plane while flying to your destination.
If I was a rich aviation enthusiast, like the late Didi Mateschitz, I would absolutely buy this thing and try to keep it flying as long as possilbe. Including the water bombing functionality.
I ❤ THE GRAND-FATHERS WORK !
Of the original 7 built. There were two of these moored at Sproat Lake, east of Port Alberni. I was having in lunch in Youbou at a pub when I heard this deafening roar and scrambled out of my chair to go look. It was one of our Martin Mars scooping up water out of the lake. You talk about one thrilled gal to have witnessed this personally. I now have a life-long long love of this magnificent aircraft. Sure could use it now if the airplane's maintenance was financially viable, but unfortunately it is not. The other issue is it must have timely access a lake to take on water to fight wildfires. From the first airplane put into service in 1941 after Pearl Harbour to the present day, the history is extraordinary. We will almost surely never see the likes of her again in our lifetimes. I will always LOVE this aircraft ♥
My father in law was a flight engineer on the Martin Mars. Squadron VR8 Navel air transport service
That is certainly one huge aircraft and would have been absolutely humongous back in 1945 .
Martin Mars.....fire stopper
Due to the needed parts and also maintenance it had to be retired and we have other water tankers that far superceded these old birds and the first ones are the LOCKHEED C-130 older models that are in use today and the others that are used are the C-215 ones from CANADAIR and are ready when needed.
I really don’t understand why they refuse to use these planes Coulson has six of these they are way bigger and are capable of knocking out a fire before it gets going. It makes no sense to me
I think these units were the peak of old flying boat technology. They were the best planes and were able to do several unique jobs/functions in use. Like all things that work or are not making someone a lot of cash they were overnight relegated to history with only a few exceptions still around or in use. I hope that someone brings these planes back and put them into some sort of specific use, complete with all the modern advances to make them fly better. And last a long time. I still think they have a use as passenger service planes, ones that provide a unique type of trip. Imagine sleeping on a plane while flying to your destination.
This plane is going to the BC Aviation Museum at the Victoria International Airport
If I was a rich aviation enthusiast, like the late Didi Mateschitz, I would absolutely buy this thing and try to keep it flying as long as possilbe. Including the water bombing functionality.
What a beautiful Aircraft, yes it would be an excellent museum attraction. I hope it does end up in a museum.
The martinmars was built in Baltimore MD. At the martin Marietta aircraft co.
Hi Folks,
I would buy it in a heartbeat
I saw Kermit Weeks from Fantasy of Flight museum in Florida in the co-pilots seat. I think he has the other remaining Mars.
Für solche Dinge Geld ausgeben nicht für Krieg
They should restore it to its original configuration and put it in a museum.
????