Summary Martin Mars Hawaii, last operational JRM Mars, & other final two to be preserved for future generations. JRM Mars had a prestigious history with the US Navy, set world record carrying 269 passengers in 1948. Four JRM Mars converted to water bombers for firefighting, dropping over 50 million gallons each in BC from 1960-2015.
The Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber is an ex-military transport aircraft that served the United States Navy in the Second World War. After retirement from service, the four remaining Martin Mars were converted to water bombers for aerial firefighting. As the second-last aircraft (Hawaii Mars) made its final flight on August 11, we looked at some fun facts about Hawaii Mars.
After a prestigious history with the United States Navy and aerial firefighting, the two remaining Martin JRM Mars aircraft will fly to their final resting destinations, where the history of these amazing machines will be preserved forever to share with future generations and aviation enthusiasts alike. 1 Hawaii Mars - a reborn The first Hawaii Mars was lost in an accident Hawaii Mars Marianas Mars Philippine Mars Marshall Mars Caroline Mars (A second) Hawaii Mars The Glenn L. Martin Company designated the Martin JRM Mars aircraft with different names.
The first aircraft, named Hawaii Mars, was delivered in June 1945. While the US Navy had ordered 20 modified JRM Mars, they scaled back at the end of World War II. The original Hawaii Mars was lost in an accident in Chesapeake Bay just a few weeks after it first flew.
The Hawaii Mars had a “re-birth” and became part of the five remaining aircraft that entered service ferrying cargo to the Pacific Islands in January 1944. The last production aircraft was the Caroline Mars. The Hawaii Mars is the last operational Martin JRM Mars aircraft.
2 A world record Carrying a high passenger load The last production aircraft, the Carolina Mars, received the designation JRM-2, enabling several improvements, including a greater maximum weight. The aircraft was powered by four Pratt & Whitney R-436 engines, each producing approximately 3,000 hp (2,200 kW) of takeoff power. On March 4, 1948, the Carolina Mars set a world record by carrying 269 people from San Diego to San Francisco, California.
While the aircraft’s operational range of 4,300 NM (8,000 km) easily allowed the flight, it was primarily remarked for the number of passengers it carried through the state’s coast. Coulson Aviation is donating one of the last two aircraft to the British Columbia Aviation Museum. 3 Enabled the formation of a new company Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT) Marinas Mars crashed during a firefighting operation Caroline Mars was damaged beyond repair due to Typhoon Freda After Marshall Mars's demise in Hawaii due to an engine fire, the remaining four aircraft were to be sold for scrap.
A Canadian company, Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT), was formed to bid for the four aircraft and a large spare inventory. The company aims to convert the aircraft into water bombers for firefighting operations. In June 1961, Marinas Mars crashed near Northwest Bay in British Columbia during a firefighting operation.
Just over a year later, on 12 October 1962, the Caroline Mars was severely damaged by Typhoon Freda. The aircraft was blown 200 meters, breaking its structure beyond repair. Hawaii Mars (the second) and Philippine Mars remained operational until 2016.
The Canadian aerial firefighting company will support the area for the next decade. 4 A plywood water tank Water tank capacity: 7,200 US gal (27,000 liters) Cargo bay tank Retractable pick-up scoops 27 tons of water to be picked up in 22 seconds Some aircraft had hull fuel tanks replaced with water tanks The initial conversion of the four Martin JRM Mars involved the installation of a 7,200 US gal (6,000 imperial gallon, 27,000 L) tank made of plywood. The tank was installed in the cargo and had retractable pick-up scoops to enable water scooping during taxi.
The scoops enabled 27 tonnes of water to be taken onboard in as little as 22 seconds. Later, some of the hull fuel tanks were replaced with water tanks. According to Martin Mars , “These iconic aircraft served the Province of British Columbia from 1960 to 2015 and over the span of 55 years, dropped over 50 million gallons each which is more water on fires than any other single firefighting aircraft in history anywhere in the world.
” It was one of only five ever built. 5 The opportunity to be up close and personal Coulson Aviation has offered two distinctive experiences Water Taxi Experience (half day): $5,000 Water Taxi Experience for Port Alberni residents (half day): $1,000 Pilot Recurrency Experience (full day): $15,000 In June, Coulson Aviation announced that it is offering two distinctive paid experiences for those who want to get up close and personal with the two remaining aircraft before they depart for their final homes. The Water Taxi Experience: “This experience will consist of a detailed walk around the airplane and participation in the daily inspection with the maintenance team.
” “Once signed off for the day, this experience will allow a small group to stay onboard the aircraft for a 40 minute taxi around Sproat Lake, at both low and high speeds.” The JRM Mars was a very well-built aircraft which could have enjoyed great use during World War II in the Pacific Theater. The Pilot Recurrency Experience: “This experience will allow a select group of people to participate in a half day ground school session to learn about the systems and emergency procedures of the aircraft, followed by a detailed daily inspection, and end with a journey around Sproat Lake.
“Participants will get the opportunity to test their skills at handling the Mars on the water, at both low and high speeds, and while the aircraft will not go airborne, you’ll still experience the thrill of piloting the Mars.” While both experiences sold out in just three days, Coulson Aviation stated that more slots may open as the team plans the maintenance and last journey of the aircraft..
