The weeks-long effort that went into making it possible for the Hawaii Mars, one of only two remaining Second-World-War-era Martin Mars flying boats, to fly to its final resting place at a B.C. museum paid off as the flight from its previous home base of Sproat Lake near Port Alberni was met with huge crowds as it flew past many coastal communities along both sides of the Georgia Straight before splashing down in Pat Bay, Victoria airport’s seaplane base.
“Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly to prepare the aircraft for this significant moment,” owner Wayne Coulson said. “The enthusiastic response from both the local and aviation communities has been incredible.” The Coulson Group donated the Mars to the BC Aviation Museum. “It’s bittersweet to say goodbye,” Coulson told the CBC.
Adding to the celebratory occasion were the Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds, who escorted the Mars for the last leg of its journey.
“It’s kind of sad that it’s the end of the story,” longtime Mars pilot Peter Killin said after flying the aircraft down to Pat Bay, joined by Harbour Air’s Rick Matthews.
The Mars will be the focus of an outdoor display of firefighting aircraft at the British Columbia Aviation Museum, located on airport grounds in North Saanich. The museum’s president, Steve Nichol, said of the Hawaii Mars that it will be “The jewel in the crown.”
The most challenging part of the journey to the museum will in fact be the overland portion. With its 200-foot wingspan, it had to be jockeyed around breakwaters to make it onto land. Several boats were involved, and it took over five hours to get the massive flying boat out of the water. Local contractor Nickel Brothers has been contracted to perform the complicated move from the seaplane base to the museum and the move will take several days as lamp standards and security fencing will need to be removed temporarily to allow the Mars to pass. Work will take place mostly at night to minimize disruption of air traffic.
The B.C. government pitched in $250,000 to allow the transfer to take place.
Be sure to watch this week’s featured video of the Hawaii Mar’s final flight.
In 2010 Wayne Coulson co-wrote a book called The Mighty Martin Mars that tells the story of the Martin Mars’ evolution from U.S. Navy transport aircraft to a front-line role in fighting wildfires in British Columbia and the United States. The book, with many photos and illustrations, is available for purchase from The Aviator’s Bookshelf.