The British Columbia Aviation Museum introduced final month that it had acquired Martin JRM Hawaii Mars, and yesterday the Pima Air and House Museum (PimaAir.org) introduced it has acquired the Philippine Mars.
Coulson Aviation mentioned the Philippine Mars — considered one of simply seven flying boats constructed by Martin JRM Mars — might be transported to the PASM east of Tucson later this yr, based on a characteristic story by Classic Aviation Information.
“This has been an thrilling month for each Martin Mars waterbombers,” mentioned Coulson CEO Wayne Coulson. “As a becoming tribute to their years of service and years of onerous work by many individuals in B.C. and the U.S., we’re happy to see each Mars plane touchdown to relaxation at world-class establishments in 2024.” The Mars plane have been constructed between 1942 and 1947, and the large plane flew cargo between Hawaii and the Pacific Islands in help of the U.S. Navy. After World Conflict II the plane and crews flew within the Korean Conflict, making medical air transport flights between Hawaii and California, after which doing hauling cargo between Hawaii and California earlier than they have been decommissioned again in 1956.
The primary was christened The Outdated Woman; after that the manufacturing planes have been known as Hawaii Mars, Philippine Mars, Marianas Mars, Marshall Mars, Hawaii Mars II (named after the unique Hawaii Mars was destroyed), and lastly, Caroline Mars. Hawaii and Philippine are the one Martin JRM Mars plane remaining right now.
In 1958 the remaining 4 have been offered to a consortium of timber firms in British Columbia and transformed into waterbombers that might carry 7200 U.S. gallons. In 2007 Coulson bought the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars, launching its fixed-wing air operations for aerial wildland firefighting.
“We’re happy to have the Philippine Mars be a part of our museum the place we are going to protect this World Conflict II-era plane for many years to come back,” mentioned Scott Marchand, CEO of the museum at Pima. The Philippine Mars is anticipated in Arizona later this yr. The museum — at PimaAir.org — options some 400 historic plane, an incredible assortment starting from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner.
Sited on 80 acres on the jap fringe of Tucson, the museum opened to the general public in Could of 1976 and has for 40+ years grown and expanded. Immediately the power consists of six indoor exhibit hangars (three devoted to WWII), together with in depth outside grounds and interpretive shows and different options to welcome guests and appeal aviation fans. Admission’s below $20 with reductions for teenagers, seniors, and locals. The museum’s about 5 miles from the Tucson Worldwide Airport, and it’s open 7 days per week, closed solely on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You possibly can’t go to this place simply as soon as.
