Martin Mars Flys Again
 

Martin Mars waterbomber airborne at last - Alberni Valley News

Alan:D

Globe and Mail article
 

Vancouver island
 

Was on Vancouver island last September and called at the mars base. The gate was locked but it was possible to see two mars aircraft. The red one in the photograph and a dark blue one called Philippine mars. I have a photograph but I am unsure how to link it.
Cheers Sam

Only just spotted this plea!

Hi Sam, this link may help, there used to be a similar help post as a sticky on AH&N but that seems to have disappeared :sad:

You'll probably need a web-hosting site, most are free and there are loads to choose from (I use photoBucket) Good luck

http://www.pprune.org/spectators-bal...une-guide.html

Memories of visit in 1994
 

I organised a visit to Flying Tankers at Sproat lake during an extensive private US/Canadian aviation photo tour. in 1994. together with a friend from Holland
It was arranged to coincide with the alternate weeks maintenance flight check which the two mars flying then carried out. bi-weekly.

We were taken out on the lake in a small speedy boat to catch the action, plus a session climbing all over and inside the other Mars (Hawaii).

The photos are a small selection from the many photos I took.
We were out on the lake for nearly two hours in all.

They are not quite 100% quality due my taking them standing up in the small boat on a windy coppy lake!!!!! sometimes moving at speed to best capture the action especially the touch and go photos.
I class the visit as one of the best I have made over the many years of photographing aircraft.

Enjoy!!!

Smoky start up.(Philippine Mars)
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...pszzrrdjsp.jpg

Full water drop
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...psyceoyary.jpg

Touch and go. The speed boat going full speed to capture the action.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...pspkq6p2y7.jpg

Lift off , This photo. I especially like.
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...pshwjuan2m.jpg


Climbed all over, outside and inside. (Hawaii Mars)
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...psxordedj1.jpg

A down your throat landing!!!
http://i611.photobucket.com/albums/t...pso9hivy2e.jpg


OPF

OPF,

Great photos. More please, particularly of the interior.

My son went to UVic and one day, many years ago now, he called me, very excited, and I could hear a radial engine drone in the background: "Dad, I'm watching a Mars drop water on a fire on the outskirts of Victoria. You won't believe how BIG it is!"

His comment is not surprising since the Mars' wingspan at 200' is four feet bigger than a 747-100. It's not common to see a 747-sized aircraft maneuvering at tree-top height.:eek:

I'd never seen one in action but the majesty of its size and the sound of of those 3350s would cause me to, well, sit down.

On a much smaller scale, watched CL125 water bombers in Croatia, near Split.
Put out a forest fire in about 20 minutes

This, the last flying Martin Mars, is finally going to its forever home. Many of us were afraid it would be scrapped but a benefactor has stepped in to save it. One last flight is to come. Sproat Lake, British Columbia, Canada…..

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1...427531399.html

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....acc57dfdcf.png
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It's sad that the other aircraft seems unlikely to be flown out. I believe the Canadian Government blocked its departure to the USN Museum at Pensacola a dozen years or so ago; I wouldn't have thought preservation at Sproat Lake would yield that many visitors so it may eventually be scrapped.

I recall there were plans to keep the second aircraft at Port Alberni?

I see Port Alberni is practically Sproat Lake (about 6.5 miles as the Martian crow flies), would the plan be to keep it at the Coulson base or move it (somehow!) to the port itself?

A bit of thread drift, the Mars was an amazing plane for its time, truly gigantic but compared to a triple7-200. What will . What i wonder might peopel 50 years hence have to comapre witha jum today it is half the span half the length and carries one third of the payload-approximate figures not precise .Half the crew half the range and one third of the speed

I assumed in the town: there was a lot of affection for them locally. Not sure if it's still there, but the town used to have a lovely Mars mural on the side of a shop near to the ferry terminal.