I'm adding more context to today's significant event in addition to acknowledging your reference to the Mars Water Bomber which was created as a solution for fighting fires by a Canadian company which repurposed and refitted the Martin Company American built JRM Mars. From the Wiki: The Martin JRM Mars is a large, four-engine cargo transport flying boat designed and built by the Martin Company for the United States Navy during World War II. It was the largest Allied flying boat to enter production, although only seven were built. The United States Navy contracted the development of the XPB2M-1 Mars in 1938 as a long-range ocean patrol flying boat, which later entered production as the JRM Mars long-range transport. In 1959, the remaining Mars aircraft were to be sold for scrap, but a Canadian company, Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT), was formed and bid for the four aircraft and a large spares inventory. The company represented a consortium of British Columbia forest companies, and the bid was accepted and the sale completed in December 1959. The four aircraft were flown to Fairey Aviation at Victoria, British Columbia, for conversion into water bombers. The conversion involved the installation of a 27,000 L; 7,200 US gal (6,000 imp gal) plywood tank in the cargo bay with retractable pick-up scoops to allow uploading of water while the aircraft was taxiing. The scoops allowed 27 tonnes (27 long tons; 30 short tons) of water to be taken on board in 22 seconds. Later some of the hull fuel tanks were replaced with water tanks. Todays reference added to the WIki by someone is: Four of the surviving aircraft were later converted for civilian use to firefighting water bombers. Two of the aircraft remained based at Sproat Lake just outside of Port Alberni, British Columbia, with one, the "Hawaii Mars", remaining operation until 2016. On March 28, 2024, the British Columbia Aviation Museum announced it acquired the Hawaii Mars from Coulson Aviation. It flew on its last flight to Victoria on August 11, 2024 and will become part of a permanent display, taking the museum's "Crown Jewel" title

One of my friends on Salt Spring traveled back from Hawaii in one when she was a little girl and her father was in the US Navy, she thought it was cool that it had stairs in the aircraft.

@@user-vp1sc7tt4m The FireBoss is also a great American firefighting aircraft developed by Wipaire.

Yes it was a good time had by all. Chimo

the fence is there but there are new owners, not sure who they are but you can see the fence.

All the land in front of the home is public, and no one is blocking access to the beach. There is access 100m to the south. In actual fact, the former owner (RIP) was super generous with the land including making a large lot across the street into a community park. She bought another lot and turned it into a bird sanctuary on the same street. She also opened her property to the public on many occasions including the apple festival. Hate is a nasty word.

Yes its still there