Hawaii Martin Mars Announcement: Short film of the origin rescue story 

This plane was my Father's plane while he was the flight engineer during it's time in the US Navy. I actually flew in this plane from Hawaii to Alameda Naval Air Station at the age of 18 months while our family was moved back and forth from station to station. I have many stories of this exact plane while I grew up. I'm happy that it will be preserved as it was both a historic piece for both countries.

Big shoutout to the Project Leader for having the foresight and motivation to get that plane saved!

What a great celebratory video for your museum's acquisition of Hawaii Mars. Thumbs up! I have memories -- and photos -- of both JRMs on Sproat Lake, and the friendly crews, from 1967 and on, including video in 2007 in California at lake Elsinore. So glad to see Hawaii Mars staying on the island. Good for you.

My big sister is the maintenance records keeper for flying certification for the Coulson Mars. 😃 Three cheers for the Coulson family.

It is really fantastic to see she has been saved. I do also really hope Phillippine Mars will be saved as well. They are too special to get scrapped. I visited them and have sat in the left seat of Phillippine Mars and saw Hawaii Mars fly back in 2006. Totally awesome machines!

May I suggest that once you get it flying, You arrange for someone to videotape it at 60 FPS with 360-view camera and stereo audio. Because once it stops flying, that'll be that. No one is going to know what it looked and sounded like flying overhead.

I have lived on Vancouver Island all my life (over 60 years), watching and hearing that big bird fly has always been fascinating. I will be one of the thousands that watch her final flight to YYJ. To all the Martin Mars, Thank you for your service!

I've adored the Mars since I was a kid, and I'm so happy to see this big bird preserved!

Such an amazing aircraft. The Martin mars prevented millions in property losses,saved lives and now people from all over the world will be able to see her preserved. What a fabulous day. Well done.

in 2014, my pop and I were in Port Alberni, on the far side of Sproat Lake, when we heard the unmistakable sound of the Mars engines starting up. We were in our 16ft boat, and opened her up to get closer to Coulson, so we could watch the Hawaii Mars take flight. One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.. I live in the Comox Valley, and love watching the Snowbirds practise, but the Mars dwarf the Snowbirds. The roar of those motors, is something I will never forget.

Wow! Saving a real price of Canadian history! Thank you so much for all your hard work. Keep the Martin Mars home!

Such fantastic fire fighting beasts. They deserve a place in aviation history. It's nice to see that a place has been found for one of them. Thank you, Coulson family et al, for your service. 👩‍🔬

This is fantastic news! I've been in love with this plane ever since the first weekend in August of 2007. I had worked late in Nakusp on Friday night and returned after dark to my home on Kootenay Lake just outside of Nelson. My living room faces the lake and when I awoke and padded into that room the venetian blinds were still closed but I could nevertheless see some red and white where I expected nothing of the kind. My first thought was that someone must have moored a sailboat in the bay out front. I went to the window to see and received the surprise of my life. It was, of course the Hawaii Mars and I was in my canoe and alongside within a few minutes. It was based in the bay for close to a week and though it was not my impression that it flew any firefighting missions during that time, it was started up and taxied and or flown on most days. It occupied most of my attention for the balance of the week until I had to leave town for a family event and when I returned it was gone but it left me with an ongoing fascination with flying boats in general and the Hawaii Mars and its siblings in particular. Fascination led to research which led after some years to realization that the Mars was obsolete and I have worried ever since about its eventual fate. So again, fantastic news!!!

So glad I got to Hawaii Mars fly at Oshkosh

Always loved when these beasts would rumble over my lakeside home in the summer. That’s a sound you never forget.

This is an incredible BC event. I moved to the Island in 1972 and remember them well. I lived in Ukee in the 80's travelling back and forth to Victoria. These birds were always on the minds of folks in the valley during fire season. Moving to YYJ and close to Viking Air part of the outfit that builds the best water bombers in the world is so fitting ! De Havilland is in Alberta, and is the head company that runs Viking. This magnificent bird at the museum, just a few yards from one of Canada's premier plane manufacturers. Thank you to the Coulson family, and the incredible voluteers at the museum !! Wow !!

What a GREAT announcement. Extremely happy to hear she finally gets a dry home to be preserved forever! Now that both kites will be separated it takes a similar commitment to ensure her sistership will be preserved as well. I therefore reach out to both the National Museum of Naval Aviation and Kermit Weeks to ensure that same will happen in not too far a distant future.

Hawaii should be Keep in BC Museum and Philippine Mars Should sent back to USA as a piece of their History from WW2.. Pretty Fair Deals :). thanks BC Aviation Museum for Saving her.

I can’t describe the love that I as a Sproat Lake kid has for these two planes. They were mesmerizing. They shook our homes as they flew overhead. Everyone would stop what they were doing and we would watch them go over. Often daily. It’s unfortunate to retire them, but at least they will be kept indoors for us to visit. Please make it well known when she will fly so we can stand under her one last time ❤️

This video brings tears to the eyes! So glad that the Hawaii Mars will find a permanent home at the BC Aviation Museum where we all know it will be given the care needed to continue inspiring and amazing people for generations to come! Congratulations to all involved but especially Wayne Coulson who fought so hard both to keep these aircraft fighting fires for as long as they did and later to make sure they went to good places!! (A few weeks after this announcement, it was announced that Hawaii's sister Philippine Mars is headed to Pima Air and Space Museum near Tucson, Arizona)

Exciting news! I truly hope the Philippine can be saved as well. That Navy paint is just too gorgeous for me to imagine being scrapped.

Awesome! Glad it will be preserved. Had many birthdays at Sprout Lake with them in the background.

I was "lucky" to see them working, once a pair of them. I've watched them pick up no more than a few hundred yards from my dads boat, a sight I'll never forget.

What great story. The passion for this project is inspiring.

Good news! As a Mars fan from Switzerland, I had a chance in 2019 to visit the Coulson location (from outside the fence only) and the great museum too on a vacation with the family and definitly will be back one day - looking forward!

The two most beloved airplanes in BC.❤❤❤❤❤

Fly the Philippine Mars to Pensacola. Land in the bay truck it to the Naval air museum. I would love to see it preserved and open for tours!

I saw the Hawaii Mars fighting fires in Strathacona Park. Hearing this plane fly down Upper Campbell Lake sent chills down my back as a child. I'm happy this plane is staying on the Island.

My parents and grandparents worked at Martin Company in Middle River, Maryland, where the Mars was built. According to my dad, his father worked on the Mars. I'm pleased that Hawaii Mars will be preserved. Now about the other ...

Wow, this is great news! I never got to see it that much, but I remember when I was about 5 I saw it from my grandparents' house on the beach at Kootenay Lake. She was flying only a couple hundred feet above the water at sunset, just straight through the valley. There was something surreal about that moment, about seeing something so powerful and majestic flying gracefully like that. Hopefully I can make it down from Calgary for the final flight, but if not, I'll definitely come see this beautiful aircraft at the museum!

I was camping at Sproat Lake with my dad and brother in the late '70s. My dad, blissfully unaware of the giant Martin Mars aircraft warming-up at the end of the lake, paddled a tiny rowboat across the water by himself. Now I don't know if the pilot didn't see dad, or if it was part of the pre flight warm-up, but that water bomber began hurtling down the lake, straight towards my dad! Thankfully the plane decelerated and returned to the end of the lake to try again. Better yet, from the shores of Sproat Lake, that was the day I realized my old dad could have been an Olympic rowing gold medalist. Thanks for the memories.

Wonderful news! I've been hoping for such an outcome ever since it's retirement was announced. I was lucky enough to see it in action and at rest in Oshkosh, and I will make a point of visiting it someday in it's new home.

When Dad was in the forces we came back from Germany to spend a year in Comox in 1982/83. We camped all over the island and once at Sproat Lake we paddled out to the two Mars that were moored at their buoys. It was only when we got close to them that we really got a sense of how massive they were. A wonderful experience and one my Dad and I will remember always.

Thanks you, everyone that’s made this possible!

I recall paddling my canoe around this plane while it was afloat. One of the coolest experiences ever.

This was my go-to destination for kayaking on Sproat Lake... what an amazing aircraft. Wish we had more of them

Great news ! Many, many of us that live on Vancouver Island and other areas of BC remember these planes seeing them in action. To people like me, they are more than just a big airplane, we remember hearing them (first) before seeing them arrive to deal with a fire. To see them pick up a load of water and apply power to those huge engines is something I will never forget.

Why does this news bring a tear to my eye. As a West Coast float pilot for many years, perhaps it is because these Aircraft represent so much history of BC’s forest Industry. Countless hard working people , so many dreams, some cut short in a tough Industry. Thank you Coulson Family for preserving this enormous symbol of our history. Must be tough to let her go after all that work, while at the same time satisfying to know She won’t be leaving home ❤ 👍🇨🇦

Many years ago, probably in the late '60's, I remember reading about a sawmill fire along the Fraser in New Westminster. It was a multiple alarm blaze that had most of the fire equipment in the lower mainland responding, and they were losing the battle. One of the Martin Mars water bombers was in the air for some reason, and the pilot flew over to help. Three passes later the fire was out and every fireman was drenched! Ever since then I have loved this airplane.

that was he best news in a long time. Congrats and happy long life to Hawaii Martin Mars in BC.

Thank you 🙏🏼 for saving this extraordinary aircraft. Can’t wait to see her up close. Money well spent. What a dream.

My Dad worked at Glen L Martin as a draftsman on the Martin Mars during the Second World War . The first Martin Mars's had a dual tail the second version had the single vertical tail.

Congratulations to Steve Nichol the team!!

Wonderful ! Absolutely the best outcome, and looking forward to going and viewing her. 👏👏

Great to see the BC Aviation Museum finally being able to secure this historic aircraft. After a short naval career, it spent the majority of its life at Sproat Lake, and was loved by locals and aviation fans. Only fitting that the Hawaii Mars stay in BC, and the BC Aviation Museum is probably the best spot. Hope that some form of hangar or protection can be done, but step 1 is to aquire it, and have it transported. I do hope that the Philippine Mars can find its way to Pensacola, Florida, or some other US Navy museum. Would be a real center piece. Have seen the Hawaii Mars in person a few times, both at airshows, and in it's firefighting duties. The sound of those massive radials can be felt and heard for miles !! Will definitely be watching her last flight, and if I am lucky, seeing her transported out of the water at Victoria airport. A massive aquisition { pun intended} for the BC Aviation Museum !!!

One of the Mars parked in the Kootenay Lake West Arm one night a few years ago. I heard a radial engine start up in the morning and ran to the lakeshore to watch the rest of the engines startup. It flew off shortly after. Loved the sound.

Looking forward to seeing it fly one more time.

It's so great that these planes will be preserved, though I think we'll all be sad that they aren't in the sky anymore. What incredibly awesome machines!

Great to see it going there ! I still have pictures of me sitting in the pilots seat . years ago !

I saw here at Lake Elsinore in California about 10 years ago. There is a road coming from the coast with a lookout above the lake and as soon as I crested the hill I looked down upon her instantly recognizing her , big smile. There were many fires in SoCal and she was back above her homeland

The JRM Mars has the glide ratio of a B-29 but can also land on water. What an impressive plane!

I have a personal interaction with this aircraft as a radio control float flying pilot at the end of Sproat lake by the mouth of the Stamp river. I was flying my float plane there one afternoon and I heard something coming from my left. A quick glance and holy crap, it was the Martin Mars coming home from a mission. I was flying right on it's flight path so I got my plane down and out of the way really quickly. The Mars passed overhead to land further down the lake. That was one experience with this iconic airplane. A great up close and personal memory from the early 80's.

In 2008 the Martin Mars landed a Shasta Lake Ca. When we had a huge Forrest fire. Great peace of history. Also remember back in the 70’s having B-17 boomers flying over the house fighting fires

Forget the U.S.A. I'd keep both those aircraft in B.C., where they belong. It's bittersweet to see these aircraft going to museums, knowing they may never fly again, but it's better than losing them to operational accidents, as there are only two left. My father flew on these aircraft (as a passenger) between Hawaii and the Alameda Naval Air Station numerous times. Truthfully, he was happy when jet aircraft finally showed up on the scene.

I remember the Martin Mars Bomber landing on Kalamalka lake when I lived in Oyama. It felt like a 747 was landing as it glided in and settled for a bit just off shore! Coolest thing ever saw!

I remember seeing one fight a fire as a young child 9 maybe 10 years old it was mesmerizing and that sound😊.

My brother was a Naval Flight Engineer who flew the MARS between Alameda and Pearl Harbor in the early 1950s.

Please keep it airworthy, so it can maybe visit Oshkosh again.

I’d like to see them fly all around BC on a Grand Tour before her final landing.

I was 3 years old in 1953 when I flew on this airplane from Hawaii with my family. My father was a colonel in the Marine Corps, the aircraft was still a Navy asset. It was my first memory of sea sickness as we bobbed around before takeoff. My father was acquainted with the command pilot. I got to go into the cockpit when we were airborne and at cruise altitude and sit in the left seat. The auto pilot was on so when I began tugging the yoke, it wouldn’t move. Crazy, eh?

These Martin Mars aircraft are famous worldwide as fire fighting legends, it's heartwarming to know that such a wonderful peice of history is going to a rightfully deserved safe harbour where it's stories and presence can be enjoyed for all who follow. And it's fantastic that it got to retire 'superceeded', and not scrapped or boneyard recycled. Is there any story that can be told for the second aircraft? Always wondered why there's no giant Turboprop seaplane, given the potential uses for them in firefighting and tourisim.

She looks good!

Living nearby for past 30 years I have many fond memories like rowing up and under it’s wing and scaring my kids as it drifted around it’s mooring and identifying each by the tail color every time we saw them...

Between this and the restoration of North Star of Herschel Island, 2024 is looking like a great year for Canadian history!

This is a lovely and wholesome development, and even though i may live on the wrong side of the planet to see her in person, seeing artifacts of history preserved does warm my heart. Safe journey to the Hawaii Mars and its crew. What is going to happen to the other one though, i wonder?

This is great news...I've been so worried that there wouldn't be a happy ending for this wonderful airplane!

That's great news! I remember seeing all of them lined up just inside the fence beside the Pat Bay highway when I was a kid - an amazing sight.

Now I need a vacation plan. I've always wanted to see a Mars.

That’s perfect, well done!!!

I used to love watching the water bomber fly over Sproat Lake. The BC Aviation museum is super cool. A great place to visit. Check it out!

Seen her take off and land several times while visiting my sister, glad she's getting a good home .

My grandfather helped build it! Glenn L. Martin's in Baltimore.

Awesome new home for an exceptional aircraft

Best news ever!👍😆 Just wondering what’s going to happen with the Phillipine now?

Just a note for future videos: the volume of the music is wildly out of control, far too loud after verbal sections and drowning out at least one speaker. I wonder if anyone actually listened to the video after the audio editing, before releasing it.

A love story between a community and it's historic aircraft- what could be better?

I think the Mayor should have made Hawaiian Mars an honory citizen of Vancouver with a birth certificate and citizenship papers. And the key to the city. The Hawaiian mars earned its right over time to become more than just a guest it became a visual icon a steward to the environment and a good friend, dropping thousands of tons of water and saving countless acres over time. Ty Hawaiian mars.😊

Glad to hear the friendly giant will be saved at a museum.

It’s a no brainer that this plane needs to be restored

Outstanding

I've seen it take off near Vancouver Airport in the 80s, unusual to see a four-engined flying boat there - glad to hear it's safe.

It wasn't till severtal years after visiting Sproat Lake that I heard the stories behind the huge plane I witnessed take off from the lake.That journey began on my 24 yearold motorcycle from the opposite side of the continen,t near Windsor ontario. , & I had no idea what to expect camped there in 2000. Glad to see it stay flying ,especially when there was rumor that it was getting too expensive to maintain.

It flew over my house in Southern California on fire duty. State at lake Elsinore before it flew back home. Truly a spectacle in the sky to see fly 👍

Remember when we had many water bombers to combat forest fires? I wonder if we will purchase more through the carbon tax? Tell the government!

When I heard that both were going to a Museum I was thrilled , after the deal to Florida fell through I was afraid they would go to the scrap yard , this is Great News for aviation enthusiasts : )

I cant wait to come see it.

loking forward to seeing the final landing 🫡

Darn! Another bucket list MUST! So far in 2024 I've crossed off 4 ... and added 6 .... ???? :-(

Famtastic !!!!

Glad it's home.

I was fortunate to have seen this old beautie fight a fire in Sequoia national forest in 2000!!!!!!

I had the pleasure sure of having the chief pilot take Janice, Jeff Skyles ( Miracle on the Hudson fame) and I on a two hour tour of the aircraft. He took us up on top of the wings and inside the wings. I was also allowed on the maintainence plank to look at the engine. Drop a tool, you loose it in 40 feet of water 17 feet down. Great day.

Would have liked to see the Hawaii Mars end up in Kermit Week's seaplane base in Act III.

BC AVIATION MUSEUM , good content, but please push the music far into the background when people are talking.

What a fantastic outcome for the Mars! What will happen to the other one? 🇦🇺🍺🍺

Hopefully Hawaii will be stored indoors not out in the elements.😪

Designed and built in the good old USA!

Some of the audio is not coming thru.

She's a Beauty

Please come up as far as Comox before going to her forever home 💝💖💞💕💓