I visited sproat lake near port alberni in 2005 and was shown both Martin Mars water bombers, and made very welcome by the friendly staff. Quite a sight to see these huge planes in such a beautiful setting, never to be forgotten. Thanks for evoking great memories of my visit to Vancouver island. Cheers from the UK.
Me and my buddies snuck onto the mars when we were out on my boat in the 80's.T he maintenance dock was out there and nobody was around so we went and had a look inside, pretty cool, would have loved to go up in it. The best we could do was jump its wake when it was taking off, the good old days ;)
Im so exited to see the Mars back in action again but kind of sad too. The Hawaii Mars and soon The Philippine Mars will be leaving my hometown forever. They were such an awesome sight to behold. I will miss them greatly.
I can remember the Mars when it was still in service . The day I took my canoe and paddled up to what I thought was the most beautiful plane ,and it still is. Never should have taken her out of service. From an Islander.
We vacationed on Spout lake a few times in the 1970's and 80's. Then there were 2 Mars water bombers stationed there. We used to gout in out small boat and hope for a water drop on us on a hot summer day. That never happened but we saw plenty of training flights and water drops. I hate to see them go but I',m happy that one will be preserved for people to see.
Dang, I’ll have to miss it. I was hopign they were going to do it in the Fall; my plan was to sail over to Pat Bay, and watch her land. I guess I’ll just have to watch vicariously through the internet.
@@nonenowherebyethe museum has an open house the following weekend. I’ve read the date isn’t set in stone but I’m guessing they will be doing everything possible to make sure it gets moved on schedule.
came here for plane but stayed for the beautiful scenic views. i would literally drop everything in my life and move up there but i would probably get bored within 6 months cause there is nothing to do
Not the last flight but we were doing the last altimeter, transponder, pitot static testing on it. Name is in the log book for years, but special to be one of the last signatures now.
The flight and flight plan is going to be epic. There is a lot of planning going on and it will be something to see. The details will become public I am sure once everything is finalized.
@@russelllewis224 Unless Shin Meiwa gets orders for a scooper version of their US-2, it's the only viable replacement. And, there is a quality in quantity.
This beast should be fighting fires until it crashes. Consigning it to a museum is a complete failure and a waste of an asset. Measure it up, build one with turboprops if need be. Put out fires!
I visited sproat lake near port alberni in 2005 and was shown both Martin Mars water bombers, and made very welcome by the friendly staff. Quite a sight to see these huge planes in such a beautiful setting, never to be forgotten. Thanks for evoking great memories of my visit to Vancouver island. Cheers from the UK.
The most beloved plane in Canada.
Most beloved is Vera.
Made in Maryland :)
@@PRH123 Yes correct.
Just laid my eyes on this old beauty last weekend. Sad to see her go, such an icon.
Me and my buddies snuck onto the mars when we were out on my boat in the 80's.T he maintenance dock was out there and nobody was around so we went and had a look inside, pretty cool, would have loved to go up in it. The best we could do was jump its wake when it was taking off, the good old days ;)
My late dad spoke of seeing these operating in WWII when they had a split-rudder empennage similar to a Coronado.
Im so exited to see the Mars back in action again but kind of sad too. The Hawaii Mars and soon The Philippine Mars will be leaving my hometown forever. They were such an awesome sight to behold. I will miss them greatly.
I saw this plane fly over my house on its way to lake Elsinore California. It truly was unique ! A very large airplane that you can't forget 👍
I can remember the Mars when it was still in service . The day I took my canoe and paddled up to what I thought was the most beautiful plane ,and it still is. Never should have taken her out of service. From an Islander.
Got DRENCHED by this, on the sundeck of a borrowed cabin st the end of the lake, as it took off...MEMORABLE
Crazy to have all those avionics in it for its retirement.
About to be retired and placed at an aircraft museum
Quite the wildfire fighting machine and Crews eh 👍
We vacationed on Spout lake a few times in the 1970's and 80's. Then there were 2 Mars water bombers stationed there. We used to gout in out small boat and hope for a water drop on us on a hot summer day. That never happened but we saw plenty of training flights and water drops. I hate to see them go but I',m happy that one will be preserved for people to see.
Such a beautiful beast 😍
Beautiful bird.
Great video! Look forward to more from your channel! 😊
I can’t wait for her to arrive! I will be visiting The Aviation Museum in Sidney many times next year!
That is a beauty 😊!!!!!
I thought that this aircraft had been retired. It is still flying? That is good to see if this is true. What a great plane!
They're getting it airworthy to fly it down to YYJ to make it a permanent display at the BC Aviation Museum
@@jamessunter4444 where she will be high and dry, there is no water there.
Build more they work !
so cool!!
Cool stuff Ryan
Thanks so much
All the boats and jetskies following is very cute
awesome
The big day August 10, keep us updated
I remember seeing this flying over my farm 😮when I was younger
Let’s use it now !
God help me. I just cannot help myself. I love Heavy Metal
When is the Philippine going to get put through her paces?
They are on Sproat Lake near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Flight to Sidney is scheduled for Aug 10.
Dang, I’ll have to miss it. I was hopign they were going to do it in the Fall; my plan was to sail over to Pat Bay, and watch her land. I guess I’ll just have to watch vicariously through the internet.
@@nonenowherebyethe museum has an open house the following weekend. I’ve read the date isn’t set in stone but I’m guessing they will be doing everything possible to make sure it gets moved on schedule.
@@mattritchie3468 unfortunately I’m overseas for work over that timeframe, such is my luck.
For those that live and work in the area it’s a sad thing to realize that soon we’ll never see it again overhead.
came here for plane but stayed for the beautiful scenic views. i would literally drop everything in my life and move up there but i would probably get bored within 6 months cause there is nothing to do
Salmon fest is great there
Are further taxi tests planned and when will the final flight take place?
Update 8/2/24 1:00 pm The Hawaii Mars is currently flying in the air.
just landed back on Sproat lake 2:00 PM
Cool ryan !! Do you get to go on the final flight too?
Not the last flight but we were doing the last altimeter, transponder, pitot static testing on it. Name is in the log book for years, but special to be one of the last signatures now.
Getting ready for a fly-by for the Abbotsford Airshow ...then Victoria???????????
The flight and flight plan is going to be epic. There is a lot of planning going on and it will be something to see. The details will become public I am sure once everything is finalized.
We need to invest in building more of these, would have come in useful in Jasper last week.
Canadair CL - 415.
TINY replacement
@@russelllewis224 Unless Shin Meiwa gets orders for a scooper version of their US-2, it's the only viable replacement.
And, there is a quality in quantity.
preparing for her last flight?
6:24 wow to be flat out on a jet ski chasing a WW2 water bomber… 👍
Where is the Mars going ?
Hawaii Mars (red and white) is going to BCAM at CYYJ. Phillipean Mars is going to museum in Pima Arizona.
Alberni lake?
Sprout lake
Sproat Lake
Sad to see them 'retire'... amazing water bombers...hopefully they'll be replaced with something equally effective, don't see anything yet :(
Canadair CL - 415.
Preparation
This beast should be fighting fires until it crashes. Consigning it to a museum is a complete failure and a waste of an asset. Measure it up, build one with turboprops if need be. Put out fires!
Canadair CL-415
@@maxcleveland3446 The Mars offers more than 4 times the capacity; hard to argue with a big hammer sometimes.
@@cameronlilly4814 True. Sortie rate helps too.
ShinMaywa US - 2 could be developed into that " big stick".
Australia full in ship Cargo , i like Join seaplane in Lebanon Market Italy Spanyol Greece
Great, BUT, so much for any further " great-history ", with them taken out of the equation
FASCINATING! THANKS.
Is it determined to be non air worthy now?