Mars updates?

[Archer]

Why would the Canadian government block a trade?
...
I would guess perhaps some sort of Heritage concern considering its long and storied firefighting career, but then they wouldn't want it going to Pima either.

At the time it looked like both Mars would end up in the States, and that's when the minister jumped on the brakes. Now we've got one preserved in BC, which clears the way for the other one to migrate south.

[p51buff]

I know the Blues will have just started their Winter Training, but with the Philippine Mars being delayed to January sometime, I wonder if they could put together a 6 ship of 3 on each wing or a 7th in trail for her arrival in San Diego? Would be a nice way to bring her home.

[Hooligan2]

I know the Blues will have just started their Winter Training, but with the Philippine Mars being delayed to January sometime, I wonder if they could put together a 6 ship of 3 on each wing or a 7th in trail for her arrival in San Diego? Would be a nice way to bring her home.

Maybe for one pass, but wouldn't you rather just hear those R-3350s unadulterated?

That glorious sound at around the 8 minute mark of the EC-121 leaving Camarillo is what I ache to hear for real again... and again. Wish YouTube featured more radial overflight vids like this:

https://youtu.be/Sx-t8SFLifQ

[p51buff]

I know the Blues will have just started their Winter Training, but with the Philippine Mars being delayed to January sometime, I wonder if they could put together a 6 ship of 3 on each wing or a 7th in trail for her arrival in San Diego? Would be a nice way to bring her home.

Maybe for one pass, but wouldn't you rather just hear those R-3350s unadulterated?

That glorious sound at around the 8 minute mark of the EC-121 leaving Camarillo is what I ache to hear for real again... and again. Wish YouTube featured more radial overflight vids like this:

https://youtu.be/Sx-t8SFLifQ

Of course, but the Canadians did it right. The US should, too.

https://www.instagram.com/cfsnowbirds/reel/C-lgUT8S9lw/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0F7ktDG ... GlobalNews

[p51buff]

dup post, please delete. thanks

[phil65]

Looks like California could've used a Mars today..

Phil

[Archer]

If they hurry up on fixing that engine, she can do a couple of drops on her way south. It would be a fitting way to end this particular career...

[Thomas_Mac]

Based on a post from the British Columbia Aviation Museum Facebook, a team from Coulson has pulled the #4 engine off Hawaii for the Philippine Mars.

[Blackbirdfan]

If they hurry up on fixing that engine, she can do a couple of drops on her way south. It would be a fitting way to end this particular career...

Its going to be a bit. They are replacing #4 to get her back over to Sproat lake where they will replace 1 and 3 as well. The odds of it flying before February are iffy at best.

That said, Philippine also needs new seals on the tank doors. She might be able to do some demo drops, but I've been told by those in the know that the door seals are pretty bad. It would be cool to see Philippine making drops in USN colors on a fire, but its never going to happen.

Philippine might stay a couple days at Alameda, but I'm not sure. They are for sure stopping there when they come down however. From there, a couple days in San Diego before making the final flight to lake Pleasant.

Will

[Matt Gunsch]

The Mars is airborne and heading back to to her old home base,

[Blackbirdfan]

Philippine is now back at Sproat Lake.

Will

[JohnB]

Allow me to play devil's advocate...

If they're going to have to disassemble her (in small enough pieces to fit on hiways) to yet from Lake Pleasant to the museum, why not disassemble it at her home base where they have the equipment to do it?
Yes, they'd have to truck it to Arizona, but flying it down there wouldn't be inexpensive either.

[Blackbirdfan]

Allow me to play devil's advocate...

If they're going to have to disassemble her (in small enough pieces to fit on hiways) to yet from Lake Pleasant to the museum, why not disassemble it at her home base where they have the equipment to do it?
Yes, they'd have to truck it to Arizona, but flying it down there wouldn't be inexpensive either.

The roads aren't capable of handling the pieces, nor are the ferries from Vancouver Island to the mainland.

Will

[JohnB]

The ferry could be avoided by using a barge. After all, they ship oversize loads of vehicles and supplies to the island all the time.

My point was, if you have to dismantle the aircraft for a 1500 mile journey or just for the last 10 miles, it would be better to do it at home where you'll have some gear.

I went to grad school to in Phoenix, so I sort of know the topography, but I'm not familiar with Lake Pleasant.
I just checked the map and to my surprise, it isn't up north in the Flagstaff area. That should make things easier.

That might mean.they won't have to cut it into bite size pieces.

With its deep hull, its hard to imagine a more difficult aircraft to ship overland.

I would imagine they are trying to avoid slicing it horizontally...I know the AMC Museum did that to get a C-124 to Dover (I saw the pieces while at Offutt)...I haven't seen the results up close to see if there are visible scars.
Similarly, the NMUSAF sliced up the XC-99 for its trip to Dayton. Seeing those pieces on the ramp outside the restoration shop wasn't pretty.

It looks like they can take roads through the desert and avoid the Phoenix area, I-10 and the overpasses enroute to Tucson.
But the further south they go, there are fewer roads through the desert. Eventually, you hit the Tucson area.
It would be fascinating to know their load size and route mapping program.
Even with Google Maps, it would be handy to have a helicopter...and perhaps a few Jeeps.

[raconnel]

Even with Google Maps, it would be handy to have a helicopter...and perhaps a few Jeeps.

And 11 long-haired friends of Jesus in a chartreuse microbus.