MARS

[JOMiller]

What is the latest news of the MARS flying boats? Now that
the navy doesn't want one for P'cola, what will become of them?
It's going to take a pile of money to maintain those giants and I
surely hope someone is willing and able.

Owen

[sandiego89]

.....Now that the navy doesn't want one for P'cola.....

Can you expand on that? I realize that the original deal to trade a pair of C-130s to Coulson for the Philippine Mars fell through years ago, but has the Museum really said they don't want one? Perhaps it is more that they would like it, but lack the resources (or the asking "price" is too high) to make it happen, or have you heard something else?

I believe the small Martin museum at Middle River was interested, but imagine resources would be even more pressed.

[Lon Moer]

.....Now that the navy doesn't want one for P'cola.....

Can you expand on that? I realize that the original deal to trade a pair of C-130s to Coulson for the Philippine Mars fell through years ago, but has the Museum really said they don't want one? Perhaps it is more that they would like it, but lack the resources (or the asking "price" is too high) to make it happen, or have you heard something else?

I believe the small Martin museum at Middle River was interested, but imagine resources would be even more pressed.

It was the Canadian government which stopped the sale(trade) of the Philippine Mars, claiming " “cultural property” of importance to Canada"
Satellite view shows both Mars are still at Coulson's in B.C.

MARS.JPG (50.26 KiB) Viewed 3345 times

[JOMiller]

.....Now that the navy doesn't want one for P'cola.....

Can you expand on that?

Perhaps that was a poor choice of words. The last I was told the
decision had been made that it was too expensive. I should
probably add that this was decided at NHHC, not NNAM.

There is a group of us who waited years to watch the MARS make
her last flight, land in Pensacola Bay, taxi to the end of a runway
at Shermen Field, watch beaching gear installed and see her
pulled ashore, and taxi into place behind Blgd 3221 and shut down
for the last time. Unless the decision is reversed it won't happen.

Last edited by JOMiller on Fri Aug 06, 2021 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Blackbirdfan]

As far as I know, they are both for sale. No one has stepped up and shown interest however. That said, Coulson would happily use them if they could get a contract. Since BC won't give any of Coulson's assets a contract due to politics, who knows. Currently with BC on fire the way it is, BC needs air tankers in any and all forms, and the Mars would be a good tool in the line up to use. (There are more lakes in BC that the Mars can work from than there are runways that can handle a ground based aircraft that can carry half the load. That said, there are only a handful of aircraft in BC that can carry half the load of a Mars. Most carry less than 2500 gallons.)

Will

[marine air]

Probably the best use for the Mars is to put them back into commercial use. Maybe even study the feasibilty of replacing the R-3350's with turboprops. With jet fuel they could be available for worldwide service. Look at all the C-47s have been re-engined and are being used for commercial hire worldwide. The B-52's are going to be around forever, why not a couple of Mars?

[lucky52]

That would be good for the BAHF C-97,if the engines are a match.

[sandiego89]

That would be good for the BAHF C-97,if the engines are a match.

Not a match Lucky, the C-97 uses R-4360-59B, the Mars uses the 3350.

Hope some 4360 engines come out the fleet sitting derelict at Greybull.

[lucky52]

Thanks.For some reason I thought they had 4360s.

[Kyleb]

Thanks.For some reason I thought they had 4360s.

The Mars were delivered with 4360's and converted to 3350's when the 4360's proved more problematic than acceptable.

[lucky52]

Thanks.Nice to know I have 2 or 3 memory cells left.

[Mick G]

Curious, are there any 4360s in operation anywhere today?

[Mick G]

Curious, are there any 4360s in operation anywhere today?

[pjpahs]

Dreadnaught, Sea Fury, Reno racer.

[sandiego89]

Curious, are there any 4360s in operation anywhere today?

And I believe F2G Super Corsair, red "race 57"

Imagine the C-119's were the last multi-engine 4360's to fly. I do not believe any have flown in recent years, with perhaps those at Palmer Alaska being the most recent? Any others? Would be happy to hear if any are flying or close to flying.