| JRM Mars | |
|---|---|
 JRM-2 Mars "Caroline Mars" in US Navy service | |
| General information | |
| Type | Flying boat |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Glenn L. Martin Company |
| Status | Retired |
| Primary users | United States Navy (historical)
|
| Number built | 7 |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1945–1948 |
| Introduction date | 30 November 1943 |
| First flight | 23 June 1942 |
| Retired | 1956 (USN)2024 (Civilian) |
| Developed into | Martin 193 |
TheMartin JRM Mars is a large, four-enginedcargo transportflying boat designed and built by theMartin Company for theUnited States Navy duringWorld War II. It was the largestAlliedflying boat to enter production, although only seven were built. The United States Navy contracted the development of theXPB2M-1 Mars in 1938 as a long-rangeocean patrol flying boat, which later entered production as the JRM Mars long-range transport.
Four of the surviving aircraft were later converted for civilian use tofirefighting water bombers. Two of the aircraft remained based atSproat Lake just outside ofPort Alberni,British Columbia, with one, the "Hawaii Mars", remaining in operation until 2016. TheBritish Columbia Aviation Museum acquired the "Hawaii Mars" and it was flown there in 2024. The same year it was announced that the "Philippine Mars" would be acquired by thePima Air & Space Museum inTucson, Arizona, to be put on permanent display there.
TheGlenn L. Martin Company scaled up theirPBM Marinerpatrol bomber design to produce theprototype XPB2M-1 Mars.[1] The XPB2M-1 was announced on 8 November 1941. Delayed by an engine fire during ground runs, the aircraft first flew on 23 June 1942. After flight tests with the XPB2M between 1942 and 1943, she was passed on to the Navy. The original patrol bomber concept was considered obsolete by this time, and the Mars was converted into atransport aircraft designated theXPB2M-1R. The Navy was satisfied with the performance and ordered 20 of the modifiedJRM-1 Mars.[1] The first, namedHawaii Mars, was delivered in June 1945, but with the end of World War II the Navy scaled back their order, buying only the five aircraft which were then on the production line.[2] Though the original Hawaii Mars was lost in an accident on theChesapeake Bay a few weeks after it first flew, the other five Mars were completed, and the last delivered in 1947.
Named theMarianas Mars,Philippine Mars,Marshall Mars,Caroline Mars, and a secondHawaii Mars, the five production Mars aircraft entered service ferrying cargo toHawaii and the Pacific Islands on 23 January 1944.[3] The last production airplane (theCaroline Mars) was designated JRM-2, powered by 3,000 hp (2,200 kW)Pratt & Whitney R-4360 engines, and featured a higher maximum weight and other improvements. On 4 March 1949, theCaroline Mars set a new world passenger load record by carrying 269 people fromSan Diego toSan Francisco, CA.[4] On 5 April 1950, theMarshall Mars was lost near Hawaii when an engine fire consumed the airplane after her crew had evacuated. The remaining "Big Four" flew record amounts of Naval cargo on theSan Francisco-Honolulu route efficiently until 1956, when they were beached atNAS Alameda.[1]
In 1959, the remaining Mars aircraft were to be sold for scrap, but a Canadian company, Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT), was formed and bid for the four aircraft and a large spares inventory. The company represented a consortium ofBritish Columbia forest companies, and the bid was accepted and the sale completed in December 1959. The four aircraft were flown to Fairey Aviation at Victoria, British Columbia, for conversion intowater bombers. The conversion involved the installation of a 27,000 L; 7,200 US gal (6,000 imp gal) plywood tank in the cargo bay with retractable pick-up scoops to allow uploading of water while the aircraft was taxiing. The scoops allowed 27 tonnes (27 long tons; 30 short tons) of water to be taken on board in 22 seconds. Later some of the hull fuel tanks were replaced with water tanks.[5]
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TheMarianas Mars crashed near Northwest Bay, British Columbia, on 23 June 1961 during firefighting operations; all four crew members were lost. Just over a year later, on 12 October 1962 while parked onshore at the Victoria airport, theCaroline Mars was damaged beyond repair byTyphoon Freda when she was blown 200 metres/yards, breaking her back.[6] TheHawaii Mars andPhilippine Mars had their conversion into water bombers advanced and entered service in 1963.[1] They appeared at local airshows, demonstrating their water-dropping ability. Flying Tankers Inc. flew the water bombers to hot spots around the province when a need developed, such as in August 2003, when alarge forest fire threatened the outskirts ofKelowna, British Columbia.
On 10 November 2006, TimberWest Forest Ltd. announced they were looking for buyers of the Mars. A condition of sale was that the purchaser would have to donate one plane back to Port Alberni when they were retired, as a historic attraction.[7] TheGlenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum and British Columbia Aviation Council initiated a joint effort to preserve the aircraft, one for display in Maryland and the other at the current location in Canada.[8] On 13 April 2007, TimberWest announced the sale of both aircraft to Coulson Forest Products, a local forestry company inPort Alberni, British Columbia. The two surviving tankers were operated by Coulson Flying Tankers from their base atSproat Lake near Port Alberni until their retirement in 2024. On 25 October 2007, theHawaii Mars ("Redtail") arrived atLake Elsinore insouthern California, on a private contract, to assist with firefighting efforts at theCalifornia wildfires of October 2007. Meanwhile, thePhilippine Mars had been undergoing "extensive maintenance and renovation" and was expected to be ready to fly again by 2010.[9] As of 13 August 2009[update], theHawaii Mars was in service fighting theLa Brea Fire east ofSanta Maria in Southern California.
The aircraft can carry 7,200 US gal (27,000 L; 6,000 imp gal) of water and each deployment can cover an area of up to 4 acres (1.6 hectares). The aircraft can also carry up to 600 US gal (2,300 L; 500 imp gal) of foam concentrate for gelling the load drop.[10] They are mainly used to fight fires along the coast of British Columbia and sometimes in the interior. As of 29 July 29 2010, the Martin Mars was being used to fight the Mason Lake/Bonaparte Lake fire north of Kamloops.[11]
On 23 August 2012, the Coulson Group announced that thePhilippine Mars, due to its lack of use for five years, would be retired and flown to theNational Naval Aviation Museum atNaval Air Station Pensacola,Florida, to become a static exhibit. The aircraft was repainted to its original U.S. Navy colors and was to have been delivered to the museum in November 2012.[12] After many delays, the trade deal of transferring the aircraft to the museum was put on hold by the Navy in June 2016, pending the outcome of the2016 US Presidential election.[13]
On 10 May 2013, the B.C. provincial government announced that theHawaii Mars would no longer be placed on contract after the 2013 season, due to not having been used to fight any B.C. fires for two years and the operation of newer and more versatile aircraft by the Coulson group including aLockheed C-130 Hercules converted to firefighting use. Although Coulson has stated that theHawaii Mars has been under numerous recent upgrades to make it safer and more reliable,[14] no buyers have come forward to purchase the aircraft. Coulson also cautioned against any plans to open the aircraft as a tourist attraction, citing the 2013 closure of the Flying Tankers Bomber Base Museum from poor attendance.[15]
In May 2015, theHawaii Mars received a small contract to be used briefly for training Chinese pilots. This was done using the Martin Mars to evaluate against civil certification regulations by theInternational Test Pilots School on how to handle such a large amphibious aircraft. The pilots would be involved with the Chinese state-ownedAviation Industry Corporation of China as they got ready to launch their forthcomingAVIC AG600 airplane.[16][dead link] In July, the training program of 22-hour was completed over six days.[17] In July 2015, the airplane was put back in service, being awarded a 30-day contract from theBC Government to help with a particularly bad fire season.[18]
In 2016, theHawaii Mars made its first appearance atEAA AirVenture Oshkosh in hopes of being sold or leased to a new home or business.[19] One of the pilots on the way to Oshkosh was well-knownKermit Weeks.
In January 2022, theHawaii Mars was the subject of multiple news articles when it was placed on sale by the company Platinum Fighter Sales for over $5 million.[20][21] In June 2023, plans were being finalized for the transfer of theHawaii Mars to theBritish Columbia Aviation Museum.[22]
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On 1 April 2024, Coulson Aviation announced thatHawaii Mars would be donated to theBritish Columbia Aviation Museum, located at the Victoria International Airport in North Saanich, BC.[23] On 28 March, the province of British Columbia provided a $250,000 grant to "protect and preserve" the plane.[24]
On 25 April 2024, Coulson Aviation announced thatPhilippine Mars would be donated to thePima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.[25]
On 4 June 2024, Coulson Aviation announced that they would offer two tiers of "VIP Experience Packages" to paying customers wishing "to get up close and personal with their Martin Mars water bombers."[27] These packages were described in $5,000 and $15,000 USD tiers, with a $1,000 CAD "Alberni Residents" tier added later, which required proof of address to purchase. The VIP packages included a base "Water Taxi" package. "This experience will consist of a detailed walk around the airplane and participation in the daily inspection with the maintenance team." The top tier was the "Pilot Recurrency" Package. "This is for our hardcore aviation enthusiasts who dream of getting behind the controls of a 100,000 lb (45 t), 10,000 hp (7,500 kW) behemoth." The VIP Experience Program sold out in 3 days.[26]
On 1 August 2024,Hawaii Mars took flight for the first time since 2016,[28] undertaking a short test flight before a technical issue required the in-flight shutdown and feathering of the number-four engine. After overnight repairs, the aircraft performed multiple other test flights coinciding with its "VIP Experience" program rides.
On 10 August 2024,Hawaii Mars was flown around theBeaufort Range andComox Glacier accompanied by aShort Skyvan photo ship. On board the latter were photographers tasked with capturingHawaii Mars for media outlets includingSkies Magazine.[29]
On 11 August 2024,Hawaii Mars left Sproat Lake on its final flight. It made celebratory low-passes of the Sproat Lake Bomber Base, Port Alberni Harbour Quay, and the city, before embarking on its journey around multiple communities "with a flight path from Port Alberni to Campbell River, Powell River, then back to Comox and down the coast to Victoria." Its arrival at Patricia Bay, accompanied by the Canadian ForcesSnowbirds, was live streamed on YouTube.[30]
On 14 August 2024,Hawaii Mars was carefully manoeuvred past breakwaters at the Patricia Bay Coast Guard station.[31] In the following days, the aircraft was carefully jacked onto a custom-built 360-degree swivelling trailer, and on 21 August was transported from the coast guard station to a parking spot at British Columbia Aviation Museum.[32][33]
On September 20, 2024, The BC Aviation Museum hosted a private ribbon cutting ceremony honouringHawaii Mars and the "monumental efforts by all involved to bring the aircraft to its forever home". Many former Mars crewmembers and VIPs including the Coulson family were present.[34]
On September 28, 2024,Hawaii Mars was officially opened to the public with much fanfare. The BC Aviation Museum is actively modifying the aircraft for public viewing while best preserving the aircraft.[35]
On 3 December 2024,Philippine Mars flew for the first time since 2007 as part of a series of test flights. Due to a cracked crank case on #2 engine (left inboard), the #2 engine fromHawaii Mars was installed onPhilippine Mars. Subsequent test flights were successful and the aircraft was deemed ready for its final flights.[36]
On 11 December 2024,Philippine Mars departed Sproat Lake for supposedly the final time, en route to San Francisco. However, as it passed NorthNanaimo, an indication of low oil pressure in the #2 engine necessitated its shutdown prior to landing. The aircraft returned to the lake shortly afterward and landed without further incident.[37]
On 15 December 2024,Philippine Mars made its second attempt at flying south. Due to fog on Sproat Lake it landed, taxied back upTaylor Arm and again departed, hours behind schedule. The flight followed the same initial route as the first attempt, then followed the east coast of Vancouver Island. The aircraft made low passes ofNanaimo Harbour,Nanaimo Airport (CYCD) andLadysmith Harbour before climbing to 2,500ft and proceeding towardVictoria International Airport, where it overflewHawaii Mars. It then proceeded southeast toward thePuget Sound. As the aircraft nearedPort Townsend, Washington, a sudden loss of oil pressure in the #4 (right outboard) engine necessitated an immediate in-flight shutdown. The crew made an immediate course reversal.Philippine Mars was seen flying over San Juan Island with its #4 engine shut down and propeller feathered as it returned toPatricia Bay.Philippine circled for nearly two hours before landing in the bay.[38][39]
On 22 December 2024, after engine maintenance at Patricia Bay, the aircraft was untied from its mooring for taxi-tests. Shortly after startup, the #4 engine errupted in smoke, having suffered a contained complete failure and fire. The aircraft was towed back to its mooring. The aircraft was effectively grounded pending replacement of the #4 engine.[40]
On 6 January 2025,Phillippine Mars was towed from Patricia Bay to Cowichan Bay by a Coulson tender. Repairs would be completed there, as Cowichan Bay provided sheltered waters, with the aircraft much closer to shore.[41]
On 7 January 2025, the serviceable #4 engine was removed fromHawaii Mars, and installed ontoPhilippine Mars.[42]
On 10 January,Philippine Mars departed Cowichan Bay, following successful run-ups and taxi checks. The aircraft landed at the Sproat lake Bomber Base without incident.[43]
On 9 February 2025,Philippine Mars left Sproat Lake for the final time, lifting off at 11:03am PST. The aircraft made a fast pass of the bomber base, Harbour Quay and Port Alberni paper mill, before departing the area via the Alberni Inlet. Multiple general aviation aircraft were present in the area prior to, and during the departure.[44] The aircraft was visible on several coastal webcams along its route of flight, up to and including its approach into San Francisco Bay. About midway through the journey,Philippine Mars was joined by two vintage aircraft, a privately registeredHoward DG15 (N858H) and aPBY Vultee 28 Catalina (N9767, owned by Soaring by the Sea Foundation of Eugene, Oregon). Both aircraft followedPhilippine for several miles between Lincoln City and Florence, Oregon, withPhilippine adjusting her speed to accommodate them. Following a successful landing in San Fransisco Bay, the aircraft was towed to a mooring buoy at theAlameda Seaplane Base, to await its final planned flight to an undisclosed lake, where it is due to be disassembled at its factory assembly joints and transported the remaining distance to Pima Air & Space Museum by road.[36][45]
On February 10, 2025,Philippine Mars departed San Francisco Bay, lifting off at 11:57am PST. The aircraft flew outbound over theGolden Gate Bridge and followed the coast pastSanta Cruz andMonterey before flying inland toward its final destination ofLake Pleasant, Arizona. As the aircraft nearedPalm Springs, California, it was joined by an array of historic aircraft, including the world's only remaining airworthyConsolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer (N2871G), as well as aP-51D Mustang (N44727), which escorted the aircraft the remaining distance to Lake Pleasant, Arizona.Philippine Mars landed without incident, and officially marked the end of an era by successfully completing the last flight of a Martin Mars aircraft.Philippine Mars will be de-watered in the coming days, while a timeline for when preparations will begin for dismantling of the aircraft has yet to be released.[citation needed]
Data fromJane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II[2][54]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era
Related lists
