Martin Mars test over Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island, B.C., July 10, 2015. Coulson photo.The only remaining nearly airworthy Martin Mars is for sale. Named Hawaii Mars when it entered service in 1944 with the US Navy, it missed most of World War II. The aircraft was used then mostly for hauling cargo and personnel between California and Hawaii until retiring from the Navy in 1956.
Of five that were built, the remaining four were purchased in 1959 by a Canadian company, Forest Industries Flying Tankers and converted to air tankers able to carry up to 7,200 gallons. Two of those crashed and the last two, the Hawaii Mars and Philippine Mars, were acquired by Coulson Aviation, which has now listed the Hawaii Mars for sale with Platinum Fighter Sales.
Until the 747 and DC-10 were converted to air tankers, the Martin Mars was by far the largest-capacity air tanker, holding more than twice as much as the P-2V and C-130.
The Martin Mars is a flying boat, not amphibious, and can’t land on a runway.
In spite of the fact that it has been about seven years since the massive Martin Mars has assisted firefighters on the ground, the unique nature of the huge flying boat remains vividly in the memory of those who worked with it, under it, or were a part of the air crew on those aircraft that were built in the late 1940s. It is hard to forget the sound of those four 18-cylinder big-ass 2,500 hp radial engines. They could typically carry 32,000 pounds of cargo, 133 troops, or up seven Willys MB Jeeps.
One of the last times the Hawaii Mars was seen in public was at EAA’s 2016 Air Venture in Oshkosh where it made demonstration water drops and later suffered a mishap. Pilots were scooping water out of the lake when an engine warning light came on and they were forced to abort the take off. The plane struck shallow rocks, which punched a few repairable holes in the plane’s belly, according to news reports.
The last annual or 100-hour inspection was in July of 2016, but the ad says it will be sold with a current annual at the $5,000,000 asking price, “as is, where is.”
10 Comments
Hoe she finds a good home!!! Several great Martin Mars youtube vids with Kermit Weeks… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL2I8HfxF2s.
HoPe she finds a good home!!! DOH!!
Would I love to own this!
These Mars Flying Boats are great, historic aircraft, and I hope that the new owner cares for her the way she should be cared for.
(Jimmy Buffet, I’m looking at you!)
(I had that same thought, Mark.)
Beautiful
Timeless aircraft
My good friend was an instructor pilot on those aircraft out of Alameda, Ca. One of his prized photos showed one sitting on the water at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe.
She’s too rare – obviously – and valuable to use as an air tanker, in my opinion. If you were going to use her on a serious basis, you might want to STC those Corncobs with turbines…
That beautiful machine belongs in a museum. Her firefighting days are in the rearview mirror.
Bring her back on the front lines again in California. I had an opportunity to work with the Mars in California. My assignment was to report back to top management on the cost verses rewards of using the Mars. To evaluate the interaction with lake users, shore bank erosion, logistical requirements and fire line effectiveness both on initial attack and extended attack. No problems, cost effective and the public was for the most part appreciative. As a helicopter coordinator the Mars was worked with the helicopters. It (Mars) earned the name “Big Gulp” instead of an aircraft number on many of the fires. The Mars not only set records for cost per gallon but each day of operation it would fly about five to six hours before shutting down for fuel. One 5000-6800 gallon drop every 15 to 20 minutes on most fires. Cal Fire forget the C 130’s, purchase the Mars.
The California Fire Museum is looking for a air-tanker to display to honor our air tanker pilots. We have 5 acres and an old hanger at the former MCAS El Toro that is now the Great Park. There will also be a air museum at this location. There are two items we are looking for to display. An Air Tanker and a fire dozer and transport. These two items save so much for our firefighters but are not given to the recognition they deserve. If we can find these items we would be the first to display and air tanker and dozer in a fire museum. The Mars Martin would be the best as it is one of a kind and has such a great history. It deserves a good home for all to see.
Don Croucher, VP http://www.cafiremuseum.org
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