Martin Mars heading to a museum

[Warbirdnerd]

Glad one has found a home-
https://youtu.be/vIZ6PJmjWM0?si=y_6EDMyoh9zOskOA

[sandiego89]

Thanks for posting. My takeways from the 12 minute video:

- New home for the Hawaii Mars will be the BC Aviation Museum at Victoria International Airport.
- $250,000 grant given by a Historical Association for the refurb and move.
- One time ferry flight in "fall 2024".
- Some engine work/certification to be done.
- Will need to do some "gymnastics" to get her out of the water, put her on a 360 cradle and tow her to the museum site.
- All appreciate she is being saved. Some would have preferred her to stay at Sproat Lake, but most recognize this is the best place for her to remain in Canada.
- No mention of plans for the Philippine Mars.

[Chris Brame]

Any word about whether the Mars will be displayed indoors or outdoors (preferably under a shelter of some sort like at Boeing)?

[JohnH]

This was posted as a comment by someone on FB, and as far as I know it's correct. The other Mars isn't flyable and has been down for a long time. It would be a lot of work to get it moved or flying .

[Noha307]

Any word about whether the Mars will be displayed indoors or outdoors (preferably under a shelter of some sort like at Boeing)?

According to a news article:

Last July, B.C. Aviation Museum president Steve Nichol told the Times Colonist the museum planned to make the Martin Mars a centrepiece of its collection of B.C. wildfire aircraft, which already includes an A26 Douglas Invader and Convair 580. The Mars would be the first firefighting water “scooper” for the museum.

The museum said there are future plans to build a new hangar for all three.

(Source: Times Colonist)

[Zac Yates]

What excellent news for Canada's aviation heritage. Well one to all involved!