Martin Mars

The Martin Mars is a four-engine seaplane built by the Martin Company in the 1940s for the United States Navy during WWII. At the time, Mars was among the largest planes ever to fly and the largest seaplane in the Navy. Only seven were built and after the war only two remained, converted into massive water bombers in the 1960s. The aircraft can carry 7,200 gallons of water and cover an area of four acres, making it one of the largest water bombers in the world. I had the privilege to fly with Mars on multiple occasions at its home base in Port Alberni, BC and again stationed near Del Rio, Texas at Lake Amistad along the Mexican border. The Mars, owned and operated by Coulson Aviation, was fighting wildfires in Mexico and for nearly two-weeks I filmed with the Mars crew while they flew missions and worked around the clock maintaining the plane at Lake Amistad. Both Mars aircraft are now retired, after 70 years of service, a legend of the skies.

Tech Specs

Crew: 4
Propulsion: 4 x Radial Engines
Engine Model: Wright R-3350-24WA Duplex Cyclone
Engine Power (each): 1864 kW 2500hp
Speed: 221 mph (356kmh)
Service Ceiling: 14,600ft
Wing Area: 3686 ft²
Length: 117 ft 3 in
Height: 38 ft 5 in
First Flight: 1941
Production Range: 1945-1947
Total Production: 56