Martin Mars Water Bombers Fire Fighting Canadian Aeroplane
The Navy contracted for the development of large transport aircraft in 1935. In answer the Martin Co. enlarged their PBM Mariner patrol bomber to produce the JRM-1 Mars series of aircraft. After successful testing of the prototype, the Navy ordered 20 aircraft. The first was delivered in June 1945, but with the end of the war the Navy cut their order to only five additional aircraft for a total of six in all, with the last one delivered in 1947. The production Mars aircraft entered service transporting cargo from the to Hawaii and other Pacific Islands. Through the years, four of the aircraft were lost in various incidents. The remaining two entered service as water bombers in 1963. They are operated by Flying Tankers, Inc. and are based at Sproat Lake near Port Alberni, British Columbia. The main base of operations for Coulson Flying Tankers is situated on Sproat Lake near Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. Integrated maintenance, operations and administration are housed in modern facilities and the company is virtually self-sufficient in all respects. The Martin Mars Water Bombers are world's largest active propeller driven water bombers and the largest seaplanes ever to enter production. Primary Function: Water Bomber Crew: Four Engines: Four R2 - 500HP each Weight Empty: 75,573 lbs Max. Weight: 165,000 lbs. Capacity: 7,500 gals. Length: 119' 6" Wingspan: 202' 7" Cruise Speed: 190 mph Max. Speed: 221mph Ceiling: 14,600 feet Range: 4,950 miles Duration: 5 1/2 hours Year Deployed as a water bomber: water bomber 1963
Size: 5598px × 3747px
Location: Sproat Lake Port Alberni Vaccouver Island British Columbia BC Canada
Photo credit: © David Gowans / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: active, aeroplane, aircraft, alberni, aviation, bc, boat, bombers, coulson, driven, engined, enter, fighting, fire, flying, forest, high, lake, largest, mars, martin, piston, port, powered, production., propeller, propellor, seaplanes, sproat, tanker, water, wing, world
