"WestCDA" wrote in message
news:Fa9zk.2658$yS5.1932@edtnps83...
That is the Hawaii Mars, one of two remaining Martin Mars aircraft
operated by Coulson Flying Tankers of Port Alberni, British Columbia. The
other is the Philipine Mars.

There were only four every built. Of the original Martin Mars aircraft,
the Marianas Mars was lost while firefighting in 1961 and the Carolina
Mars by a hurricane in 1962.

Thanks for confirming that.

I love a water bomber, and who doesn't love a big old plane full of
character like the Martin Mars.

North Carolina bought a reconditioned CL-215 several years back to put out
fires in the Western part of the state, but occasionally it will go East or
to some other state when it is needed and the West is not active with fires.

A friend was one of the people in the Forest Service that was instrumental
in presenting the proposal to the state government, and getting it
purchased. When I said how much I liked it, and would like to make a fully
functioning large scale RC model, he got a pretty complete tec manual for
me. It includes all systems and has detail enough for good understanding,
and enough information to create a set of plans scaled to make an accurate
model, but not enough for an A&P to use as a shop manual.

I believe the Martin Mars also makes pickups with a deployable scoop from
the bottom of the hull, like the CL-215. The CL can pick up 1200 gallons in
under 11 seconds, or something like that. It slows to 100 knots, settles
on the water, and throttles up to keep that speed, then the overflow
indicates it is full and ready to power up with a new load. I had a video
of it scooping, and they are available on U-Tube, also.

Anyway, the CL is really cool, and a nimble plane. The Mars is so much
larger, that I can not imagine that it could be classified as nimble, but it
does seem to maneuver pretty well.

I hope they keep them running and working fires for a very long time.
Seeing big old radial engines hard at work does my heart good!
--
Jim in NC