Martin Mars to participate at Oshkosh 2016

Martin Mars scooping water
Martin Mars scooping water. Coulson photo.

The organizers of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2016 announced that the Martin Mars flying boat airtanker is scheduled to participate in their 64th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, July 25-31 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

During the event, the massive airplane will be parked near the EAA Seaplane Base on Lake Winnebago a few miles east of the main fly-in grounds. It will also perform several demonstrations throughout the week during the daily afternoon air shows.

The two Martin Mars aircraft now owned by the Coulson Group, the Philippine Mars and the Hawaii Mars, were converted to water scooping air tankers. They are not amphibious like the CL-215/415 — they always have to land on water. The huge aircraft can carry 7,200 gallons of water which can be mixed with gel concentrate to drop on fires. The Mars no longer have contracts to fight fires.

The Coulson Group plans to bring the Hawaii Mars to Oshkosh. 

“This is the last flying Mars in the world and the largest warbird ever built,” said Wayne Coulson, chief executive officer of Coulson Flying Tankers. “There isn’t a better aviators venue than EAA AirVenture, so it’s an honor to be part of this world-class event. We’re very excited to bring the Hawaii Mars to Oshkosh as we look for new opportunities and host potential clients, as well as showcase this magnificent airplane’s capabilities.”

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8 thoughts on “Martin Mars to participate at Oshkosh 2016”

      1. What I wanted to find out was, has the aircraft been taken to the US navy Museum in Florida or is it still in Canada?

  1. Hope the plans for Oshkosh go well, and I wish Coulson the best in finding a money making niche for this great old bird.

    But Mr. Coulson, please, “the largest warbird ever built”? Umm, perhaps the Convair B-36? I mean we’re not talking bigger by a few inches/feet here. We’re talking 30 feet more wingspan and as much as 245,000 pounds max gross takeoff weight.

    But then again, the B-36 could only land on water once 😉 I do think the Mars is the largest flying boat ever built which saw actual service with the military, perhaps that’s what Mr. Coulson meant to say.

    Fly on mighty recips, fly on ….

  2. I hear it all the time…Marten Mars… Marten Mars….

    If it was the ultimate firefighting aircraft someone like Boeing, MacDonnel Douglas or Virgin Airways would have bought the patent and be building a fleet of them…

    They are not versatile, very high maintenance and have limited applications…
    When are people gonna wake up to that.

    1. You forgot to mention the Mars also broke the record for most retardant (foam) drops on the Harrison lake fire last year.The Province spent $93 million fighting fire’s last year and that also was a record broken . 330.000 cu meter’s off wood went up in smoke last year that was also was a broken record .It make’s no sense to shut down a fire fighting operation when the forest service can’t handle the fire season with what they got .

      1. Well spoken..I also hear of this (supposedly) expensive cost of the martin mars…in yet they have never reported how much the fireboss aircraft or the helicopters really cost..at 93 million spent on fire suppression…The mars is a cheap effective tool that is a true loss to the residents of British Columbia

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