FINAL FLIGHT! Martin Mars Low Pass and Landing in Patricia Bay (4K)

[@garyhorton9827]

My father, Aviation Machinist Mate, Chief H.G.Horton jr, Navy Ret. was her Flight Engineer from 1951-1955 when he was stationed out in Oahu. I was born in 1952 and my family was very proud of him flying and maintaining her. Many years later, when I was in my late 40's my brothers and I, I'm the youngest, saw her at Lake Elsinore in SoCal on fire duty. It was only then that it was told to me that, as a baby, I had been the only one of us ever to go aboard. It seems that when i was in the cradle and my mom had to go into Honolulu to go shopping, she would leave my with my dad at Ke'ihi Lagoon where the Hawaii was moored while she took my 4 sibling into town. Just to give you an idea as to her size, many years later my Dad was involved with the production of the 1st 747's and told us that the wing-span of the Mars was greater!

[@jasonb9629]

Im sorry to tell you this but the Mars wingspan is not greater than a 747. They are close but the 747 is 224ft 5 in vs the Mars at 200ft. My uncle works on the Mars up until its last flight.

[@garyhorton9827]

Well, my information IS about 60 years old (🤣🤣🤣) so you’re probably right!!

[@garyhorton9827]

The first 747’s had a wingspan of 195 feet 4 inches. The Mars was 200 feet making it a greater wingspan. My comment was correct since I referenced the 1st evolution of the 747. I stand by my father’s statement. Later 747’s were longer, but my father worked on the first evolution in Hawthorne California during the 1960’s.

[@garyhorton9827]

194 feet 8 inches, my mistake.

[@garyhorton9827]

195 feet 8 inches

[@swaddington9399]

My dad loved these planes so much! I grew up watching them scoop water on Cowichan Lake, my dad would always be out with his camera taking pictures of them whenever they came. Its emotional to see the Hawaii for the last time, and a coincendence that its last flight is on the anniversary of my fathers passing. He would be so happy to know the Hawaii being preserved. Thank you to those who have looked after this special plane and piloted it safely, and thank you Mars for all your years of service!

[@ndjibukabengele973]

Those pilots are legends for landing smoothly like that.

[@Prodagist]

There's something inherently beautiful about the Martin Mars making her final flight to be perserved in history in a museum. This wonderful aircraft which was created during the 40s, who ended up in Canadian hands saving hundreds, if not thousands of lives over the years, all the way up until 2015. Here this plane is, 9 years after its retirement, Flying to its final resting place under its own power, something very few museum aircraft have done. What a wonderful way to end this incredible aircrafts history of fighting wildfires and saving lives. "One last ride."

[@adrianwapcaplet2773]

I agree she is a wonderful aircraft, and a real piece of history, but I'd be very confident in stating the Mars (indeed most air tankers) has saved a grand total of zero lives in its history. Thousands of trees, yes. But no human lives.

[@jonesbugattis]

The largest Snowbird that will ever be. What a sight and sound!

[@jimgilfillan9071]

Its sad to see this magnificent flying tanker be retired, but its about 79 years old. Future generations will have to depend on videos to see it in flight & will never have the privilege of being eyewitness to this majestic bird in flight. Its four Merlin Rolls Royce engines generate 10,000 hp & the throb of the engines vibrate your chest as the piston engines generate their power. Martin Mars in flight truly is a magnificent awe inspiring sight to behold. Coulson donated the Martin "Hawaii" Mars to the Aviation Museum in Sidney, B.C. I am glad that it is staying in British Columbia. I'm from Port Alberni & have become used to seeing the Martin Mars water bomber stationed on Sproat Lake ever since I was a kid. It will be sorely missed.

[@Kakydanou]

Merlin engines? Are you sure?

[@larryjenkins902]

what a way to send off such a beautiful aircraft! so glad it's being stored where the public can gaze upon it's glory!

[@JonathanBarnes1977]

That's an amazing feat. And to have the Canadian Snowbirds involved. That shows a true Testament to what the Martin Mars has meant to Canada and Coulson Aviation

[@douglasquinn9258]

way to go

[@ifraneman07]

I was there on the water fishing , 65 years ago when this monster came around Coal Point , 200 feet over my head , a day I will never forget . What a treat to have this majestic old lady just a short boat ride from our summer place on the Inlet .

[@johnmcgarvie4061]

So glad that the big Mars is going to a reputable retirement home(assisted or semi-assisted LOL)! When MacMillan Bloedel( MacBlo), Crown Zellerbach (Crown Z), Rayonier and my old employer British Columbia Forest Products (BCFP) formed Forest Industries Flying Tankers Inc. did they envision this day? The retirement lap around the Island was a salute to The Big 4 Forest Companies that started Flying Tankers Inc. Starting in Port Alberni (MacBlo) had mills there, to Campbell River where Crown Z had a pulp mill at Elk Falls, then over Nanaimo with a salute to the MacBlo pulpmill at Harmac and finally over Crofton to salute the old BCFP mill. Thank you Hawaii Mars for keeping us and the woodlands of the province safe Enjoy your retirement. Well deserved!

[@kenbarthSimAV8tor]

Many thanks to Hawaii Mars service and the men and women who crewed the plane and the men and women who maintained her ❤

[@Matt.Thompson.1976]

She made it. Decades of faithful service, and she's safe at a loving home. Hawaii Mars, an amazing story. You go girl!

[@palco22]

1:10 You can not get a better color combination than this. What a great fly by !

[@rabidspatula1013]

Truly the end of an era. Flying boats are such an evocatve design of the 1930s and 40s, a design philosophy rendered obsolete by the passage of time. Hawaii Mars is the last true representative of that legacy.

[@M3rVsT4H]

WW2 in the pacific sealed their fate. Before it, runways were rare.. Afterwards they were abundant. But I'm honestly surprised the big flying boats never found a modern niche. But they were indeed magnificent.

[@tonyvanbergen4346]

Thanks for being there and able to take this great video. What a legacy the Mars leaves behind. No other plane was or has been so instrumental in saving BC's forests.

[@TeemarkConvair]

79 years of service and readiness,,well done

[@FlyingScot911]

This sure brought a tear to my eye. Love the Snowbird escort, a great tribute to a stellar career of the Mars and her crews. It also brought back a great memory for me. We moved to Tahsis back in 1970. There was no road in so the only way was by boat or by flying boat. We chose the Grumman flying boat. I think it was a Grumman Mallard but can't confirm that. However, being 13 years old and getting invited to sit in the copilots seat for the entire flight and have a great conversation with the pilot was incredible. On subsequent trips to the city I got to enjoy that experience again. Once we were moved in to Tahsis and my Dad was at work at the old sawmill, he was a millwright, we explored the heck out of the town, waters, river and more. I made a deal with the pilot of the little mail float-plane that delivered the mail to the little communities along the west coast of the island. I washed the plane in exchange for getting to fly the routes with him. That was probably the best summer of my life.

[@ZOMb2010]

Not Farewell ... but a new beginning to show off the BEAUTY for Future GENERATIONS :) GREAT VIDEO.

[@Todd-p4t]

I have been a Martin Mars fan from the '80s, so glad they found a home the loves them. Be cherished Hawaii Mars!

[@TroyCroteau]

I am from athe alberni valley and no matter how old you were when you heard the roar of the Martin mars you ran outside to catch a glimpse. It’s sad we will never get to again. Thank you mars water bombers for all the memories of a lifetime. You will be missed.

[@islandnightowl]

A legacy for the younger generation to enjoy as well. Thank you for your service MartinMars Hawaii and to all of thise who served along side of you. See you in September at the museum. This only thing missing is she should have had a birddog announcing her arrival! 😊

[@jimh2067]

It was awesome to see this make it south to California several years ago. Love the sound of the radial engines.

[@Avi-on5jp]

Big day for the Snowbirds too. Just finishing at the Abbotsford Airshow, to refuel and head to Sproat Lake right after to partake in this historic event. Great job all around to all the crews that made this possible.

[@ryanaines6617]

They joined up near Crofton, not at SL unfortunately.

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

An epic sendoff for an epic plane

[@gregorydejong3130]

Thank you Alex for an amazing tribute and superb video quality of our amazing Hawaii Mars coming home. ❤Her true splendor and majesty was beautifully captured in your video. It’s also important to note that she was flown by veteran pilots that flew her during many summers fighting fires. There were “others” as well that Mars lost along the way. She is truly the last of her kind in the world! I remember watching these beautiful water bombers in the 1970s as we vacationed in the summers at Sprout Lake or Honeymoon Bay. As I said, there were others, and it was truly magnificent to watch them all in action. One by one, picking up water from the lakes to save homes, forests and people in peril. ❤

[@ollieboy4817]

Excellent footage! I was there too, checked out that angle the day before but decided to go to the end of runway 32 instead and it flew directly over me!

[@TheNavySub]

I was so glad to see the flyby from downtown Victoria! It was an incredible end to a fabulous story and that it will be preserved for all time in the province it served for many years. Many thanks to Coulson Aviation for donating it to the museum.

[@cadeneuwirth6563]

While only born in the 2000s, as a Port Alberni resident, the Martin Mars created its' own special place in my heart. It's been on Sproat Lake my entire life and I remember quite clearly a few times it flew quite closely over my house as a child. I haven't yet heard a plane that sounds like the Martin Mars; it was an incredible machine to see passing over and the work it has done fighting forest fires It deserves to be remembered for the incredible work it did. I am glad to see it is being honoured and its' name is being spread across the world with this final flight.

[@davidfarrish9000]

One of the most impressive sites was to see the plane at Oshkosh and dump a partial load of water on the main runway. Glad its going to a museum.

[@normanmcdonald9158]

Thank you for the effort. I spoke with my kid brother who lives on Vancouver Island and he's seen it over the years and had the privilege to meet the crew and have a guided tour of a legend

[@throckmortensnivel2850]

Hard to believe that aircraft is just shy of eighty years old. I join the others who are happy it will stay in BC. A part of our history.

[@tmaster3332]

What a legend, I was in a car on the highway just past michels farm when it flew over heading south to victoria, and we just got past the airport to pat bay on the north side for it to fly over us again and land in the harbour, what a spectacular sight. I can't wait for the exhibit to open and to go see it, though it will probably be a while for that.

[@cheese-it5111]

I got to watch the Hawaii Mars fly by Parksville the other day. It was beautiful getting to watch such an amazing plane on its final flight. Tracking the plane throughout was a little tough, though, and it ended up arriving ahead of schedule.

[@jarrodmahon3833]

All my friends down in nanaimo missed it...was running just over 20 minutes ahead of schedule and the Grumman Goose flying with it kept dissapearing from flight trackers. Personally only caught the one pass over comox. Major bummer all around. Wish they had showed her off a bit more before putting her to rest.

[@HOWNDOG66]

I was able to track the Grumman Goose that escorted it so got lucky as it came over French creek marina.

[@Bogeyatyour6YT]

Loved this. Easily my favorite floatplane of them all.

[@alphasportstv]

Great video, thanks for this. End of an era when we really knew how to build stuff.

[@HeadPack]

Amazing footage. What a plane, what a history.

[@swapshots4427]

As a long time Vancouver Islander before moving to the BC, Okanagan, watching the Mars flying with the Snowbirds brought a nostalgic tear to my eye. Beautiful & also somewhat sad day.

[@biplaneflights]

Stunning. Thanks for your efforts in filming, editing and sharing the video. I cannot think of a better send off and retirement flight of another aircraft. All those involved and the RCAF can be justifiably proud of what they have achieved. Well done Canada. 🍁

[@HannahHarbourDeep]

Absolutely thrilling. Thank you so much for making this video! Magnificent beast has earned a well deserved rest.

[@JonathanStolz-q8n]

What a beautiful design. Unbelievable engineering and style

[@geoffwood4727]

I cried, not afraid to say it. this is part of our incredible Canadian aviation history! Where is the Avro Arrow? We are/were world leaders in aviation.

[@aerodicus]

Nice job Alex, I’m a big fan of the Clipper era and loved seeing this old girl make her last flight before retirement.

[@djforecast]

Thank you for everything you did for our island 🫶🫡

[@bigdog21a]

My son, wife and I watched from Arbutus Cove as we just happened to be on the beach and were surprised to see this amazing sight of the Mars water bomber being escorted by 9 Snowbirds and a chaser plane flying down the strait and then banking around the tip of Vancouver Island. Very cool and unexpected as we had no idea this was going on. What an amazing sight!

[@TomM-c9u]

Thanks for this video of a truly special day in Canadian aviation. The pilot it made the landing look like a regular event he did it every day.

[@melvyncox3361]

Nice job Alex.Glad to see Hawaii is being preserved after being so well cared for.Nice touch with the Snowbirds escorting her to her new home.

[@PanAmguy-np7et]

I didn't even know this plane existed and I'm now sad the final flight happened.

[@josephwong5755]

Thanks for sharing such a historic occasion. Simply breathtaking and a fitting retirement for such a significant aircraft!

[@Joey-JoJo-Jr.64]

Thank You to this Beautiful Lady and her many many flight and support crews. I was fortunate to see her in action in Alberta in the 2000s.

[@timberwolfdtproductions3890]

Magnificent! I'm so glad this important piece of B.C. history will be preserved here.

[@CS_247]

Fair winds, beautiful old girl. Thank you for your amazing service. ❤ Rest well and hope to visit you one day!

[@BillRicker]

Thank you for recording and sharing. What a glorious bird. Glad to hear it's got a forever-home.

[@Marvin-fn7ks]

Beautiful piece of history. Glad it is being recognized and preserved!

[@frederickpillsbury7467]

We live on a hill in Mill Bay and got to see this from a distance but your video was terrific. Thanks !

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Was watching a weekend tv piece on the Mars. Those guys on the crew are OLD but know that plane so well…❤️❤️❤️

[@ThomasRaffs]

End of an incredible era - chapeau Mars - you more than earned your well deserved retirement.

[@claireparr4489]

Wonderful filming Alex. Such a beautiful aircraft, I'm sad she has to retire but happy that she will be cared for and that people will be able to see and learn all about her amazing history. Thank you ✈️❤️

[@Railfan513]

I was there yesterday and it went pretty much right over me it was so cool to see that huge tanker and fun fact my friends grandfather was the one who did the handwriting on the side of the snow birds jets

[@geoffharper8650]

Rest now , you have earned it .

[@Wileylikethehawk]

I live right there but I couldn’t get away to see it. I’ll certainly drop by the museum!

[@Kakydanou]

Having seen in Oshkosh, I will never forget the impression and the noise (= music) of its 4 radials… Sad to see her go to a museum…

[@ponysong2006]

Wonderful video capture! Thanks Alex!

[@Wanderglobe]

It did a fly over of my marina in Campbell River yesterday. Amazing to see and hear.

[@samhklm]

Thank you.

[@TrailWalker03]

Great piece of work. Thanks for posting. This'll be one for the ages!

[@rancor2753]

Very sad! Many Thanks to all the Crew Members for saving that Flying Legend!

[@bmartin2304]

I don't know why I felt so much pride watching this. This aircraft has nothing to do with me other then I grew up in Vic. I guess its just seeing all locals come out and show solidarity for this beautiful aircraft that has served us well for decades!

[@walterfink9782]

Part 2 of a beautiful aircraft. It's a shame she's not still flying. But, a museum is okay, also.

[@EricDKaufman]

End of an Era I love how her 4 piston driven props drown out the 18 jet engines folllowing her LOL

[@wasserdagger]

18-cylinder radial engines, 2,500 hp each!

[@viscount757]

You mean 9 jet engines. The Canadair Tutors are single-engine.

[@wasserdagger]

@@viscount757 Was the plane at some point retrofitted with the 28-cylinder engines? What I find online was that the original Martin MARS aircraft were fitted with (4) Wright R-3350 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder radial engines, 2,500 hp each.

[@viscount757]

@@wasserdagger Sorry, my mistake. 18 cylinders is correct. I was thinking of another aircraft that used the P&W R4360. It was the Wright 3350. Deleted my comment.

[@wasserdagger]

@@viscount757 No worries. At least you alerted me to the fact that there *is* a monster 28-cylinder radial aircraft engine out there - which I didn't know. Those things must keep the mechanics busy!

[@shanelyon414]

Awesome video, amazing camera work! Thank you.

[@nybotor1]

Insane footage Alex, I am so glad you were able to come back and capture this historic moment! That view of the crowd in the background with all the boats is incredible.

[@ao8]

Absolutely breathtaking, thank you for preserving this moment forever 🙌

[@Strangehaybale]

I was there too, such a cool experience.

[@Selkirkwater]

Watched it from the shore of Victoria inner harbour. I was surprised how few people were there. I had seen it many times on Sproat Lake and in the air. The sound of those big rotary engines always impressed.

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

Such a shame that it will never be in the air again. Beautiful, awe inspiring aircraft.

[@dlittlester]

There were lots of people down at the marina in Parksville yesterday to witness this flyover. Unfortunately we missed the Snowbirds, but that magic beast was enough for me. I feel honoured to have been able to witness her last flight.

[@MrChronicpayne]

Wow!!!! Sincere gratitude for capturing this - wish I could have been there.

[@starcetus]

Farwell to the last of the giants

[@reddog-ex4dx]

Great video, Alex! Your being out on the water made the flyby so much better than on the land. You should tell people to turn up their volume. The chances of seeing another airplane with four radial engines flying overhead is getting slimmer and slimmer.

[@endangeredmarmot4518]

Pretty cool little video. Growing up mid-island, I loved seeing these beauty airplanes at Sproat or flying overhead. Real icons of aviation.

[@stephensnell7022]

I will miss this beautiful bird flying over my house. I am happy one will stay in BC.

[@Flyingtankers]

Thanks for sharing alex.. The philippine mars only left to leave the base later on this year. it might be flyable or not will see about it. the flight engineers are working on her soon.

[@B52Stratofortress1]

Doubt they'll fly it. Only because there's no lakes within a few hundred miles of Pima AZ. Nowhere for it to land.

[@brianb-p6586]

​@B52Stratofortress1 the plan, recently announced, is to fly to Theodore Roosevelt Lake then truck from there to Pima. It's a long road, and at least the wings will have to be removed.

[@coldlakealta4043]

having the escort by the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds demonstration team was a nice touch

[@rc-fannl7364]

Majestic plane with a rich history

[@finlayfraser9952]

The very end of an era!

[@briangriffin787]

Amazing stuff, great video as always Alex

[@DEV2SPED]

so happy i caught it in person🤩🤩

[@devilmanlg1500]

They need this plane on Microsoft Flight Simulator.

[@davidmccarter982]

Superb! You caught the event perfectly!

[@rebeccabritt6443]

Thank you for sharing this! I learned a new part of history today.❤

[@davidascher1801]

Thanks for this video.

[@Dbodell8000]

Great video thanks very much❤

[@kbjerke]

THANK you for preserving this event. ❤

[@CharlesLambert137]

Awesome to watch pros doing what they do best! Also, shout out to Alex and crew for the excellent capture! What's equally impressive is that CAF members and NDPS employees are able to maintain airworthiness of those ancient Tutors. Says a lot about Canadians that Canada, a very wealthy and blessed nation, commits so little to those who volunteer their lives and life to the nation.

[@TheCanadianBubba]

Nothing else sounded like them, growing up a bit south of Sprout Lake it was common to see them come and go. Nice that one will be preserved 👍

[@aakoksal]

Those Snowbirds sounded like a TIE-Fighter for a moment there (around 3:40)...!!! Great video...!

[@VicodinGH]

Happy retirement C-FLYL!

[@andremetayer1467]

Heartbraking... It's so sad to imagine she will never flown again. What a graceful flight, what a smooth water touch (that's the good pilot job), what an "engines music" ( I think music is more correct than sound ). A chance for us, you wehre there to catch this emotiv moment. Thanks for that. Salute from France.

[@mikeswanson6111]

Amazing video! Thank you Alex. Would you mind if I posted a screenshot to my friend with your credits. He doesn’t do KZbin 😊

[@mattd1142]

Incredible