Photos of Martin Mars

[Michael Brooks]

Here are some shots of the Martin Mars, "Hawaii Mars" taken late last week in California. Had to share the link even if it isn't C/L because I think the shots are great! Talk about the photographer being in the right place, especially for the shots of Hawaii Mars before she touched down on the lake.

http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/photography.php/topic,2576.210.html

Mike

[don Burke]

I saw it overhead on a landing approach while stopped at a freeway offramp near Lake Elsinore, it's HUGE.  By the time I got to where I could see the lake, about 4 min, it was gone, the only thing left on the lake was the wake!   Talk about turnaround time.

[Chris McMillin]

My Dad's squadron was shipped from Hawaii to San Francisco in Hawaii Mars in 1952. He said he asked to sit in the cockpit, as he had been a flight engineer on the P2V (19 years old). When they ran the power up for takeoff he thought they were going to taxi to California, and after about 5 minutes he asked the engineer what the take off power time limit was. The engineer told him there wasn't one, it just took as long as it took. Eventually the airplane got on the step and accelerated enough to lift off. It flew at low level for a long time.

He was shipped off another time on a Lockheed Constitution too!

Thanks for the link, I sent it to dad.

Chris...

[Howard Rush]

I have pictures somewhere of Chris Cox flying a Mars and dumping a load of water from it. I'll post them if I can.

[Dwayne]

Thanks Mike
I live in Canada and our Discovery Channel did a documentry on these planes, they are the last of their breed, huge piston engine amphibs, there are very little parts left for them so they have a machine shop that makes new parts as needed!! With the new DC-10 water bomber now in use the Martin still and allways will have one advantege(sp) A DC-10 cant land on water!! They have to back to an airport the Martin doesnt!! It can land in a lake scoop up water and go on to the fire! So I think the Martin will be flying for many years to come!
Thanks again Mike
Dwayne