Martin Mars Fire
Tanker Comes Calling Under overcast skies and bitter cold January weather, a huge fire-fighting water-bomber paid a visit to the inner harbour of Vancouver B.C. in conjunction with the Truck Loggers Association 65th Annual Convention, January 15-18, 2008. "Hawaii Mars" (C-FLYL), one of two existing Martin Mars Flying Boats, owned and operated by Coulson Flying Tankers of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island, treated throngs of shoreline spectators to an amazing demonstration of operational water drops, three days running. The "Hawaii Mars" and
sister ship "Philippine Mars" (C-FLYK) are the largest
surviving airworthy flying boats in the world. These
aircraft and two others, all ex-US Navy long range patrol
and troop/cargo transports were retired from military
service in 1959. Subsequently acquired by a consortium of
Canadian forest companies in British Columbia, the 'Mars'
were then converted to firefighting water-bombers. One
however, the "Marianas Mars", was lost during firefighting
operations in 1961, and another, the "Caroline Mars", was
destroyed by a hurricane while ashore in 1962. The remaining
two 'Mighty Mars' have since provided 46 accident free years
of operational firefighting duties in Canada and the United
States. |
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