{"id":56792,"date":"2024-08-14T06:07:22","date_gmt":"2024-08-14T04:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/?p=56792"},"modified":"2024-08-18T21:45:26","modified_gmt":"2024-08-18T19:45:26","slug":"the-last-flight-of-the-only-large-martin-jrm-mars-seaplane-that-could-still-fly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.outono.net\/elentir\/2024\/08\/14\/the-last-flight-of-the-only-large-martin-jrm-mars-seaplane-that-could-still-fly\/","title":{"rendered":"The last flight of the only large Martin JRM Mars seaplane that could still fly"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is news that means the end of an era. In this case, the era of the great seaplanes, which caused amazement in the 20th century.<\/p>\n

Spain will modernize its fleet of firefighting seaplanes and buy seven new DHC-515s<\/a><\/rel>
\nThe spectacular take-off at sea of a four-engine ShinMaywa US-2 seaplane<\/a><\/rel><\/p>\n

One of the great flying boats that deserves a prominent place in history is the Martin JRM Mars. This model, built by the Glenn L. Martin Company, made its first flight in 1942<\/strong>. It was a very large aircraft for its time: its fuselage was 35.74 metres long and its wings measured 60.96 metres from tip to tip. In fact, it was the largest flying boat until 1947<\/strong>, when it was surpassed by Howard Hughes\u2019 short-lived Spruce Goose.<\/p>\n

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The Mars was intended to perform long-range reconnaissance, transport and bombing missions for the US Navy.<\/strong> However, the time it took to develop and the setbacks it suffered eventually doomed it. The second aircraft, the Hawaii Mars, made its first flight on 21 July 1945 and sank a few days later<\/strong>, on 5 August, in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. By the time the third aircraft, the Philippine Mars, was delivered to the US Navy on 26 June 1946, World War II was already over.<\/p>\n

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Ultimately, the contract for 20 aircraft for the US Navy was cancelled and only 6 were delivered, out of a total of 7 units built<\/strong> (if we include the prototype, which was scrapped in 1945). The last of these was delivered in 1948 and all 5 Navy aircraft were operational on a route between California and Hawaii until 1956. The Martin Mars were sold to companies that operated firefighting aircraft<\/strong> and they were used to put out forest fires in the United States and Canada.<\/p>\n

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Currently, only two Martin Mars remain: the Philippine Mars<\/strong> (which was the third Mars built and will soon be displayed at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Arizona) and the Hawaii Mars II<\/strong>, delivered in 1946 and which was the sixth and penultimate Mars of the seven that were built.<\/p>\n

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The Hawaii Mars II is the last airworthy Mars.<\/strong> It has been serving as a firefighting aircraft for Canadian companies for many years. Its current operator was Coulson Aviation of British Columbia.<\/strong> A few months ago, this aircraft was donated by this company to the British Columbia Aviation Museum. Last Sunday, August 11, the Hawaii Mars II made its last flight,<\/strong> which included a final landing on Sproat Lake in British Columbia. On this farewell flight it was accompanied by the Canadair CL-41 Tutor of the Snowbirds aerobatic squadron<\/strong> of the Royal Canadian Air Force.<\/p>\n

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This was a historic flight, as the Hawaii Mars II was currently the largest active seaplane in the world<\/strong>. After so many years fighting fires, it has earned a well-deserved rest. You can watch a video from Coulson Aviation here that shows some images of the military and civilian life of this aircraft:<\/p>\n