The iconic Hawaii Mars, known for its years of fighting British Columbia’s wildfires, is on the market for a cool $5 million with aviation broker Platinum Fighter Sales.
The 1945 Martin JRM-3 Mars is said to be in excellent condition with an upgraded cockpit and the interior and exterior being touted as a 9 out of 10 it is also stated that Hawaii Mars last underwent annual flight inspections in 2016.
According to the listing Hawaii Mars “Will be sold with current Annual at the asking price, ‘As Is Where Is.”
The massive flying boat was designed as a patrol bomber during the Second World War and saw service as a transport aircraft and air ambulance during WWII and the Korean War.
Only five of the aircraft were built by manufacturer Martin, and just two examples (Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars) survive today, both of which are owned by Coulson Aviation and stored at Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island.
Receiving it’s firefighting conversion in the 1950’s this enormous flying boat fought fires for decades, battling its last B.C. wildfire in 2016, during a 30-day contract with the BC provincial government.
Both of Coulson Aviation’s Mars flying boats were converted to water bombers, and with a water capacity of 7,200 USG each, they were the largest firefighting aircraft worldwide until 2006.
Wayne Coulson stated, “ The Martin Mars aircraft and crews have served as critical support in both its military and civilian life and we’re looking to find an individual that will respect and care for the aircraft as much as we and its previous owners have.”
According to Platinum Fighter Sales, of the two remaining Martin Mars bombers, only Hawaii Mars remains airworthy.
