The British Columbia Aviation Museum announced last month that it had acquired Martin JRM Hawaii Mars, and yesterday the Pima Air and Space Museum (PimaAir.org) announced it has acquired the Philippine Mars.
Coulson Aviation said the Philippine Mars — one of just seven flying boats built by Martin JRM Mars — will be transported to the PASM east of Tucson later this year, according to a feature story by Vintage Aviation News.
“This has been an exciting month for both Martin Mars waterbombers,” said Coulson CEO Wayne Coulson. “As a fitting tribute to their years of service and years of hard work by many people in B.C. and the U.S., we are pleased to see both Mars aircraft landing to rest at world-class institutions in 2024.” The Mars aircraft were built between 1942 and 1947, and the giant aircraft flew cargo between Hawaii and the Pacific Islands in support of the U.S. Navy. After World War II the aircraft and crews flew in the Korean War, making medical air transport flights between Hawaii and California, and then doing hauling cargo between Hawaii and California before they were decommissioned back in 1956.
The first was christened The Old Lady; after that the production planes were called Hawaii Mars, Philippine Mars, Marianas Mars, Marshall Mars, Hawaii Mars II (named after the original Hawaii Mars was destroyed), and lastly, Caroline Mars. Hawaii and Philippine are the only Martin JRM Mars aircraft remaining today.
In 1958 the remaining four were sold to a consortium of timber companies in British Columbia and converted into waterbombers that could carry 7200 U.S. gallons. In 2007 Coulson purchased the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars, launching its fixed-wing air operations for aerial wildland firefighting.
“We are pleased to have the Philippine Mars join our museum where we will preserve this World War II-era aircraft for decades to come,” said Scott Marchand, CEO of the museum at Pima. The Philippine Mars is expected in Arizona later this year. The museum — at PimaAir.org — features some 400 historic aircraft, an amazing collection ranging from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner.
Sited on 80 acres at the eastern edge of Tucson, the museum opened to the public in May of 1976 and has for 40+ years grown and expanded. Today the facility includes six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII), along with extensive outdoor grounds and interpretive displays and other features to welcome visitors and charm aviation enthusiasts. Admission’s under $20 with discounts for kids, seniors, and locals. The museum’s about 5 miles from the Tucson International Airport, and it’s open 7 days a week, closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can’t visit this place just once.
