In a rather controversial move, the Canadian Heritage Minister, Shelly Glover, has attempted to put a hold on the planned deal between The Coulson Group and the National Naval Aviation Museum which was supposed to see one of Coulson’s two remaining Martin JRM Mars flying boats heading from its base at Sproat Lake in British Columbia to the Pensacola, Florida museum. According to an article posted by the Canadian Broadcasting Company HERE, “officials under Shelly Glover, the Canadian Heritage minister, have told Coulson that the plane may be “cultural property” of importance to Canada, and he must convince a panel to give him a special export permit under the Cultural Property Export and Import Act.” The reasoning behind this action stems from the type having served the Canadian people for the past half century. However, considering that the aircraft in question, Bu.76820 Philippine Mars, is now painted to represent her days in the US Navy, it seems more like a power-play to secure the remaining operational Mars in Coulson’s fleet for Canada, Bu.76823 Hawaii Mars II, as she is still in her civilian colors and thus more appropriate for a Canadian museum. According to the CBC article, Canadian MP John Duncan, is indeed making that suggestion to help settle the situation; offering to swap Hawaii Mars for a pair of retired RCAF C-130 Hercules transports which Coulson could convert into air tankers for his fleet. The proposal would then see Hawaii Mars join the Canada Aviation & Space Museum in Ottawa, Ontario. While it is justifiable that Canada retain a Mars for their national collection, it is an extremely heavy-handed approach for doing so. Judging by previous failed efforts to prevent a Canadian-based Lockheed Constellation leaving for the Museum of Flight in Seattle, it seems an approach unlikely to succeed, and perhaps almost guarantees that Coulson will be predisposed to disfavor any government proposal. We shall see of course, and report any news as it arises.
