Owning an Icon: The Martin Mars Water Bomber

When Wayne Coulson decided to purchase the Martin Mars Water Bombers in 2007 he knew he was acquiring more than just fire fighting aircraft, he was buying icons!
#thescooponportalberni #albernivalleymedia #MartinMarsWaterBombers

[@brycenew]

Really excellent to hear Wayne’s story, both prior to owning the aircraft and building his business around their use. It’s fantastic that both Hawaii and Phillipines Martin Mars flying boats operational life were extended by Wayne purchasing them.

[@wocookie2277]

It was an icon of my youth. Had many birthdays at sprout provincial park with it as a back drop. Bonus was watching it work.

[@markperry896]

Thx to the Coulson team for taking such good care of these old birds!

[@jimgilfillan9071]

Its sad to see this magnificent flying tanker be retired, but its about 79 years old. Future generations will have to depend on videos to see it in flight & will never have the privilege of being eyewitness to this majestic bird in flight. Its four Merlin Rolls Royce engines generate 10,000 hp & the throb of the engines vibrate your chest as the piston engines generate their power. Martin Mars in flight truly is a magnificent awe inspiring sight to behold. Coulson donated the Martin "Hawaii" Mars to the Aviation Museum in Sidney, B.C. I am glad that it is staying in British Columbia. I'm from Port Alberni & have become used to seeing the Martin Mars water bomber stationed on Sproat Lake ever since I was a kid. It will be sorely missed.

[@dragonfly-7]

Well, for me that is another reason to return to BC and to see this iconic piece of aerial firefighting in BC Aviation Museum at Victoria sometime not too far in the future ... 🤓😎

[@pitrow66]

Thanks for sharing

[@TheScoopOnPortAlberni-bc9bt]

Thanks for watching!

[@Guylangloisartist]

Very cool video

[@TheScoopOnPortAlberni-bc9bt]

Thanks!

[@international660]

She never should have been taken out of service. The mars does the work of 10 helicopters

[@eyeonit469]

There are only 143 lakes in B C long enough for the Mars to reload.

[@MatthewFordVictoria]

At least when it's at the BC Aviation Museum, everyone will be able to see it up close, instead of just the lucky few who have a Boat on Sproat Lake. Plus it will be protected from Vandalism much more!

[@AviationMoviesWithNorman]

Hello, Could you please tell me where a content creator could get this footage? Thank-you

[@TellySavalas-or5hf]

This is the plane from "Raiders of the lost ark". San Francisco scene. In 1981 Indiana Jones flew with it.

[@markmay699]

No, that airplane was a Short Solent Mark III. The production crew was going to use a Martin M-130 but discovered the Short Solent undergoing restoration in Oakland. To save money they shot the boarding scene with the Short Solent and the flying scene was done using a model.😀

[@barontaylor7139]

What will happen to all of the spare engines and parts that originally came with them?

[@eyeonit469]

Fast forward to January 2025 and they have been unable to get the Philippine Mars past Victoria several times because of engine problems . They are taking the working engines out of the Hawaii Mars which will never fly again to get the Phillipine down to Arizona.

[@kathyalwood9127]

Please tell me you video taped her final trip around Port Alberni on her farewell tour?

[@TheScoopOnPortAlberni-bc9bt]

She hasn't left yet, but we hope to have a camera on her when she does!

[@kathyalwood9127]

@@TheScoopOnPortAlberni-bc9bt That would be amazing! I am hoping you plan on sharing it here on this youtube channel. FYI When will she be leaving to head to Victoria?

[@SergioLuizCardosodeSouzaJunior]

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[@SergioLuizCardosodeSouzaJunior]

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[@stevenflattum156]

I'm so sad!

[@SergioLuizCardosodeSouzaJunior]

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[@SergioLuizCardosodeSouzaJunior]

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