The Philippine Mars has made its way back to its home base for an engine replacement. The historic aircraft departed Sproat Lake three weeks ago on a journey to its new home at the Pima Air and Space Museum (PASM) in Tucson, Arizona. The planned route included stops in San Francisco and San Diego and an inland leg to an undisclosed desert lake. However, the journey hit a snag when the aircraft made an emergency landing in Patricia Bay on December 15.
Moored in Patricia Bay over the Christmas period and into the new year, the Philippine Mars faced challenging conditions amid a series of storms. Coulson Aviation, the aircraft’s operator, took this time to determine the next steps for the massive flying boat. Previously, the Philippine Mars had been stored on land following its last firefighting mission in 2006 and a test flight in 2007. It returned to the water at Sproat Lake on November 7, marking the beginning of its current journey.
Last Monday, the Philippine Mars was towed from Patricia Bay to Cowichan Bay. On Friday, January 10thm the airplane flew back to its home base safely. Coulson Aviation personnel replaced one of its engines with a working engine salvaged from its sister aircraft, the Hawaii Mars. The Hawaii Mars, which is currently displayed as a static exhibit outside the British Columbia Aviation Museum near Sidney, will also provide two additional engines to ensure the Philippine Mars can complete its journey.
According to a report in the Times Colonist, Coulson Aviation CEO Wayne Coulson stated that after the engine swap, the Philippine Mars would remain at Sproat Lake for further maintenance. The remaining two operational engines from the Hawaii Mars will likely be installed on the Philippine Mars to prepare it for the final leg of its journey.
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In March 2024, the British Columbia Aviation Museum announced its acquisition of the Hawaii Mars, solidifying its place as a preserved piece of aviation history. Shortly thereafter, Pima Air and Space Museum (PASM) revealed on Facebook that the Philippine Mars would become part of its permanent collection. Coulson Aviation later confirmed this announcement, expressing enthusiasm for the aircraft’s “forever home” in Tucson. Once the engine replacements and necessary preparations are complete, the Philippine Mars will embark on the final stretch of its historic relocation to PASM, where it will be preserved as a tribute to its unique legacy and contributions to aviation history.
