The British Columbia Aviation Museum is excited to announce the final flight of the Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber to its permanent home on Sunday, August 11, 2024. This iconic aircraft will become the centerpiece of the museum’s expanding BC Wildfire Aviation exhibit. The public is invited to witness this historic event, likened to the spectacle of a space shuttle launch. This final flight of the Mighty Martin Mars is made even more special as it will arrive in formation with the nine planes of the renowned Canadian Forces Snowbirds demonstration team.
The museum extends heartfelt thanks to Coulson Aviation for their extraordinary efforts in preparing and delivering the aircraft for donation. The Mars Saved BC, Now BC Saves The Mars!
Pat Bay Arrival Time: – Sunday, August 11, 2024 – Approximately between 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, weather dependent.
Flight Route: – Along the east coast of Vancouver Island.
Track the Flight Live: – Flightradar24 will allow the public to follow the Hawaii Mars using its aircraft registration code CFLYL. – The museum’s Facebook page will also provide live flight details prior to arrival.
The final flight of the Hawaii Mars may pass over several BC west coast forest communities, paying tribute to the forest industry’s initiation of the unique Martin Mars water bomber program in the early 1960s. Coulson Aviation has expressed pride in seeing the Hawaii Mars make its final journey to the British Columbia Aviation Museum. Their dedicated team has worked tirelessly to prepare the aircraft for this significant moment. The enthusiastic response from both local and aviation communities has been remarkable. For the safety of the crew, the aircraft, and the Sproat Lake boating community, specific flight details will not be shared. Coulson Aviation looks forward to welcoming this historic plane to its new home at the museum.
“The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are proud to be able to fly alongside this icon of Canadian aerial forest fighting as it takes its final journey to Victoria and its new home at the British Columbia Aviation Museum. The Snowbirds salute the brave firefighters, in the air and on the ground, that work to protect our country from wildfires, and we are excited to see this piece of aviation history preserved and on display to honor and inspire aviators past, present, and future,” stated Major Brent Handy, Snowbird 1, Team Lead.
Click HERE to Donate to help cover the Hawaii Mars rescue costs
Related Articles
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
I remember many flights of the Martin Caroline Mars(the full name back in the day)
lifting off & landing on San Diego bay as I was in Navy boot camp there in October 1958.
We couldn’t stop and watch very well because we were in formation marching or doing drills. They were a beautiful sight and the sounds were unmistakable. It’s a fond memory of a majestic airplane. It served us well for 70+ years. 😔