Martin Mars at Lake Elsinore #5

One prototype and 4 production machines were produced. The prototype
and first 3 machines had Wright R-3350's and the last machine built
had Pratt & Whitney R-4360's. Later, the first three production
machines had R-4360's installed and were modified to the last
production machine's specs.

A truly majestic aircraft by any standard.

Paul

On Wed, 7 Nov 2007 06:20:43 -0800, Savageduck
wrote:

On 2007-11-06 19:35:49 -0800, Square Wheels
said:

On Tue, 06 Nov 2007 22:09:09 +0000, SHIVER ME TIMBERS wrote:

Square Wheels wrote:


But according to news reports, BC did send several similar aircraft,
probably from other companies or the Canadian Forces.

I thought that Quebec sent a couple of the Canadair 215 ( radial ) or
415 ( turboprop ).

But an interesting curious question based on your comments.

Does the Canadian Forces have fire fighting aircraft.

I wasn't aware that they did.... but what do I know.

More than I do likely; I'm not an 'aircraft-guy', I just like looking at
the pix and learning whatever I can....

My best friend was a commercial pilot until he developed pigmentary
glaucoma, a friend and colleague is a commercial pilot and has
written several books on aircraft and aircraft incidents, and my
cousin was a highly-decorated fighter pilot in Viet Nam, so I definitely
have an interest, just no particular talent for understanding it all that
well......

But, I digress.

I was certain I had seen nice CF-looking gray cargo-type planes dumping
borate and water on forest fires here, but evidently not.

The Martin Mars was in California on a spot contract. L.A. County has a
fire season contract to have a "Super-Scooper" in place for the entire
season with options to bring in additional support.
Then The California Department of Forestry (CDF) has its own fire
fighting airforce stationed at various airports throughout California,
that is supplemented by contracted big load tankers such as converted
DC7s.
Additional help comes from the US Forestry Service, Cal Fire, and the
various County, Municipal and volunteer fire services and helicopters
from the California National Guard.
The military aircraft you saw were C130's provided by the US Defence
Department after the declared state of emergency. Other military
helicopters were used by the Marine Corps to fight the fires at Camp
Pendleton.

I think they should know he

http://www.forces.ca/v3/engraph/jobs...&bhfv=2&bhqs=1

but nary a mention....

Eh bien, liver and loin, live and learn,


SW




I should have been more clear on that point.

Oh I was just having a little fun too.

I can't remember just how many of the Martin Mars were built
but it was a small number I'm sure.

And I'm sure some kind sole will place the answer here...