The Hawaii Mars water bomber will probably be taking one remaining flight.
The long-lasting red-and-white Martin Mars water bomber will probably be flying to its new dwelling on the British Columbia Aviation Museum later this 12 months, after a $250,000 funding announcement by the province. The funding will “shield and protect” the Hawaii Mars “as a big a part of B.C.’s aviation historical past,” says the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Tradition and Sport.
The water bomber’s remaining flight from Coulson Aviation Tanker Base on Sproat Lake in Port Alberni to the Saanich Inlet beside Victoria Worldwide Airport is predicted to happen earlier than the tip of 2024 and will probably be a multi-phase course of that entails passing federal inspections, crew coaching and check flights.
Coulson Aviation will enlist 5 former licensed upkeep engineers and 4 flight crew to finish roughly 10,000 hours of plane preparation and flight retraining over six months. Pete Killin and Rick Matthews are two of the pilots that will probably be taking the Martin Mars on its remaining flight. Killin has greater than 1,000 hours of flying time within the Mars.
READ MORE: Martin Mars waterbombers firefighting days are previous: Coulson
“It deserves a correct resting place,” he mentioned. “I can’t consider a greater place than to be the primary attraction for the firefighting business.” He mentioned the ultimate water drop “would be the pilots crying.”
On the British Columbia Aviation Museum, the plane will probably be established because the centrepiece of a brand new B.C. wildfire aviation exhibit. The brand new exhibit will probably be interactive, inviting guests to discover the options of the plane up shut and foster an appreciation for its historic, cultural and aeronautical significance.
“I’m fascinated by this plane and its historic ties to British Columbia,” tourism minister Lana Popham mentioned whereas standing underneath the large wing of the Hawaii Mars.
“It’s a proud image of B.C.’s ingenuity, innovation and it’s a powerful instance of reuse, recycle and repurpose. If it weren’t for a gaggle of B.C. timber firms envisioning a brand new use for these plane, they may not have been a part of B.C. historical past.”
The Hawaii Mars was one in every of 5 Martin Mars plane initially conceived as navy bombers in the USA in the course of the Second World Battle. It began service in 1945 as a transport plane for the USA Navy.
It was later bought by a consortium of timber firms in British Columbia and transformed to a water bomber to guard the timber lands on Vancouver Island. In 2007, it was bought—together with the Philippine Mars—to Port Alberni’s Coulson Aviation.
The Hawaii Mars hasn’t taken half in firefighting motion since 2015, when the province signed a 30-day settlement to make use of the plane. The contract was not renewed.
“It was the start in 2007 of our fastened wing air firefighting program,” mentioned Gary Collinge, representing the Coulson household on the announcement. Collinge has labored with Coulson Aviation in quite a lot of roles for 50 years. He mentioned the Coulson household is “thrilled” that the Hawaii Mars will keep on Vancouver Island. “They’re excited to take part and help this entire program.”
The challenge will price roughly $1 million to maneuver the Hawaii Mars and home it in Victoria, mentioned challenge lead Richard Mosdell of the B.C. Aviation Museum. The museum is elevating half 1,000,000 {dollars}, the Coulson household is donating one other half million and Heritage Canada is predicted to contribute sooner or later, he mentioned. The Victoria Airport Authority has given the museum some land the place the Hawaii Mars will sit till a brand new hangar will be constructed on the museum.
“It is a good begin and we’re capable of kick-start preparations in order that we will get the plane prepared for the large blockbuster arrival weekend within the fall.”
Mosdell mentioned the museum was in talks to have each the Hawaii and Philippine Mars on the museum, however finally selected one plane. No plans for the Philippine Mars have been mentioned.
Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne and Penny Cote, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District director for Sproat Lake, each mentioned the announcement is bittersweet. “We have now a lot satisfaction right here within the Alberni Valley that we’ve a worldwide chief in aerial firefighting,” Osborne mentioned. ” I do know it’s going to be a bittersweet day after we see her take off from Sproat Lake for the final time.”
Extra to return…
