Warbird Information Exchange

Calling Kermit: http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/26/aviation/oshkosh-worlds-largest-water-bomber-airplane-martin-mars/index.html

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Kevin McCartney

I had a nice talk with my wealthy friend last weekend that tried to buy the B-23 for sale a few years ago in California. Remember the story that he got shot out of the saddle by a "Billionaire" that wanted it. Anyway, His question to me was why did they only build only 8 of them? Were they any good?
My response, an educated guess really; " Well the contracts were cancelled abruptly after VJ Day on everything except for the P-80 , P84 and a few other cutting edge technology aircraft. Second, since it was flying at the end of WW II it probably had lots of engine issues like the B-29 series of aircraft. The "Connie" prototype was also plagued with engine issues during WW II.
It must have been a pretty good airplane because A) Martin was building 4 engine flying boats before WW II and B) They also built the PBM Mariner which was quite large and successful, and C) The Navy used the few Mars that they had until the mid 1950's so it must have been useful.
I also suggested it's best chance at remaining airworthy would be for it to continue to serve as an air tanker, maybe in the U.S. or elsewhere or earning it's keep commercially somehow. My favorite "pipe dream" would be for a carrier to operate it profitably flying fresh flowers from Hawaii to the West Coast or fresh caught fish from Alaska to Chicago or elsewhere on the Lakes. It has a very long range and is quite huge. Anyone have any suggestions?

The only cargo that thing could profitably carry is nostalgic people, like us, and it would soon run out.

Look in a dictionary under "white elephant" and you'll see a photo of the Mars.

Let's face it, as far as aircraft go, it would be hard to find a less practical warbird or transport to own because of its size and being a flying boat.

Hopefully Pensacola will still want one and the other can find a home in Canada.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

Have you seen the cost of Vancouver real estate? You could live in that baby in the best waterfront location ever! And if you tire of the view just raise anchor and fly somewhere prettier. Bonus: it keeps the people who insist it stay in Canada happy.

Someone get on it, all I ask is an invite to the plane warming party.

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Keep 'em Flying.

And if not, it would make a good companion for its little brother, the Mariner, at Pima.

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All right, Mister Dorfmann, start pullin'!
Pilot: "Flap switch works hard in down position."
Mechanic: "Flap switch checked OK. Pilot needs more P.T." - Flight report, TB-17G 42-102875 (Hobbs AAF)

They couldn't fly the Mars to Tucson....and I don't know if they could cut it up enough to transport it by road.

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Remember the vets, the wonderful planes they flew and their sacrifices for a future many of them did not live to see.

What happened to the idea that Pensacola was getting one?

What happened to Pensacola getting Philippine? Politics. I'll leave it at that.

Will

Yeah just think they could put her on "The Flight Line" so she could sit and rot with all the other rare/ultra rare/one of a kind birds they keep around for sweet hurricane parties.

Gary

I understand this sentiment, but the alternative is probably having the thing broken up by the scrappers. There are not many organizations capable of tending a huge seaplane. Heck, even delivering it to 95% of air museums is extremely problematic.

Your right.

G

Hold your horses. It's not a "dead airplane" like the Spruce Goose. It is in good flying condition. It can still earn it's keep as a fire bomber. Japan , Russia, Japan, and China still manufacture large seaplanes. Seaplanes still make a lot of sense in remote areas of the world. It has a 5,000 mile range and could originally carry 269 people. 13,000 gallons of fuel. I was at Moffett last week and saw the DC-10 that's been converted to an eye hospital. Here in Middle Tennessee we have a B-747 that a minister flies about 60 hours a year on missionary trips.
My favorite is for Red Bull to buy it and add it to their fleet. It just takes a little imagination.

Anybody else hear the Hawaii was damaged Friday during an emergency landing. Evidently landed with full load and hit somthing in lake which gashed a hole in the hull

http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/ ... 51291.html

I could see them pumping out a lit of water yesterday.