Martin "Philippine" Mars - Tour Part 1 of 3 - Upper & Lower Hull Tour

While up in Vancouver in July 2016, to do some flying in the Martin "Hawaiian Mars," I was able to do a Kermie Cam walk through on the Martin "Philippine Mars" that was also based there. It's an amazing aircraft that I'm sure you'll enjoy seeing up close.This is Part 1 of the 3 part series. Enjoy!
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[@tomhill4765]

Wow! Just a note to thank you for the tour. My brother, now deceased, flew these aircraft in early 50's while stationed at Pearl Harbor. Carl was an ADM2 Flight Engineer. He told me about the aircraft and how they flew between Pear Harbor and Alameda NAS, Califfornia. This is the best video I have seen of the MARS so far. My being a former AF Hydraulic specialist makes it more interesting to me from a technical aspect.

[@JoeFlation]

I Volunteer in the Museum there

[@nope5708]

everybody's harping over the mars. lets show some love for that truck that lowers the plane into the water, that things pretty cool

[@pattonpending7390]

The tug appears to be a 1950's Coleman CF-55-AF, originally ordered to tow the monstrous B-36 Peacemaker. A rare piece of history. Awesome video, Thanks!

[@angelreading5098]

Never realised the amount of infrastructure needed for the Martin Mars,the interesting vehicles,the cables and just getting it in and out of the water,also interesting was the standard of paintwork on 'Phillipine Mars' no easy task painting any aircraft as large as this,thank you Kermit for explaining in such detail and look forward to other parts soon.

[@abundantYOUniverse]

Laying here with pneumonia since christmas day. This was just the ticket to make me feel better. Thanks Kermit see you this summer. Greetings from Lakeland.

[@masskilla469]

My Grandfather fought in the Korean War and was wounded and flew in this plane to Hawaii. When i was a kid i got to ride in the Philippine Mars I was 8 years Old. I have a Model I built of this plane that was given to me after I flew in it. I would love to take my son who is now 8 on a flight in this wonderful plane!!

[@oddballsok]

CMR kit ? that is expensive..even then..

[@markdoldon8852]

About 14 yrs ago, we took a trailering trip through Port Alberni. I had heard of the Mars ut never even seen photos. We stopped at the campground just on the other side of the highway. What a thrill to go for a hike and spot both of them out in the lake (both still had their red livery back then). I pulled photos just a few weeks back sending some relatives on the same trip. Definitely the high point of the trip

[@andrewarmstrong7310]

My dad was a pilot with Pan Am back when. Under orders of Juan Trippe, he delivered the Honolulu Clipper a Boeing 314 to the Naval Air Station Alameda to be put under Navy control in late December 1941. After the war late in 1946, he was coming back from Hawaii on a recently returned to civilian service Boeing 314A and passed the Philippine Mars on her maiden flight heading west. He said it looked like a flying building from a distance and if he had a camera with him he could have taken a million dollar picture of it. Yes, the seaplanes of that time were all big. Fond childhood memories for me.

[@justforever96]

Seaplanes of that time were all big, but the Mars was enormous. The only larger seaplane was the Spruce Goose. And the Mars wasn't just the largest like "it's got 5 extra feet of wingspan over the second largest": it's got a span *80 feet* larger than a Sunderland. And the Sunderland is "big". And to be accurate, it wasn't so much that the seaplanes were all big. They weren't. Plenty of small and midsized seaplanes from the 30s and 40s and 50s. Goose, Do 24, Z.501, JF, F1M, E7K, PBY, OS2U, Walrus, etc, etc. No, it was that the big planes were all seaplanes. Because they had no runways or land facilities for large planes. They developed them during the war, and of course build thousands of runways, making large landplanes feasible and making large seaplanes inefficient.

[@TreeTop1947]

Wow! Those big ol 3350s and their props actually look small on that Martin! What a monster. Thanks for taking us along with you, Kermit. Semper Fi, TreeTop

[@672egalaxie6]

Thanks fer takin' us along...amazing !!

[@SuperRede4u]

Thank you so much for the video of the Martin Mars. I've lived my whole life in Port Alberni BC, the city that's closest to Sproat Lake. The Mars are like your favorite grandfather - you can't ever remember a time when they weren't around. Nothing beats the Kermie Cam! Keep the great videos coming in 2018. Can't wait to see the next installment.

[@wgmskiing]

Wow. You can tell they take a lot of pride in maintaining that aircraft. That is beautiful. Looking forward to part 2!

[@azav8raa]

Kermit, thanks again for these fabulous walk through videos. Just an amazing perspective the viewer gets on an airplane, its operation and history. Please keep them coming.

[@philorkill]

Wow! Thank you for the tour (so far)!! Can't wait for the next part.

[@MarcvanExel]

Awesome, this brings back memories. I sat in the left seat of this girl back in the summer of 2008 (sat not flew) when on holiday. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@jacobaubertin645]

That was a lot for part one! thank you! Can't wait for part two!

[@Christopher28fair]

450 GPH? Haha that's crazy! I could listen to your narratives all day, Kermit - just the best.

[@howardelzey2760]

My grandfather flew on one of the PBM Mariner planes in WW2. I have a photo of him with the rest of his crew in front of the nose of their plane. I also have his logs from the war. He fell off of the wing while washing the plane when they were in South America in 1942 and broke his leg. I had no idea he fell so far. No wonder he broke his leg these types of planes were huge.

[@deeremeyer1749]

What kind of "logs" did he leave? Was he a pilot?

[@daleebbinga8779]

Wow.. thanks for the sharing this Kermi. I can't wait till the next video is ready.

[@HotAsHellSeedCo]

Thank u for all that you do to promote Aviation, Kermit! Keep em coming.

[@crashintome1019]

I appreciate you taking the time to make this and similar videos Kermit! For us aviation nerds, they’re incredibly interesting and informative! -Ryan Davis

[@RideCamVids]

I stopped through there at the base a few years ago and had an indepth look around. As mentioned, the sheer size of the aircraft is amazing.

[@boots_n_coots]

Mama Mia! I had no idea the Mars was this big. I'm speechless here. Can't wait to see the rest. Thank you so much Kermit!

[@Bluevein87]

T. Howard I

[@tbcharlcrew9543]

T. Howar

[@cmans79tr7]

Thanks so much for your fascinating guided tour. I never had any inkling about that Beaching apparatus. I can't wait for Parts two and three.

[@powderriver2424]

Absolutely amazing aircraft the videos are fantastic but seeing one live for real leaves you speechless. These have to be at the very top of the heap of mechanical achievements in aircraft technology.

[@jg4_lebano473]

Nice and very interesting video! Waiting for parts 2 and 3... :) :) :)

[@munched55]

I am leaning on my virtual mailbox with bated breath, waiting for the next installation. Finally, I have the right guy explaining these amazing craft.

[@TimS366]

Brilliant! Looking forward to the other parts.

[@johnblizzardjr5317]

Amazing piece of engineering for it's age. Thanks for showing it in detail.

[@camseverance7768]

So cool can’t wait for part 2!

[@johnkamm8886]

Wow....I have seen them before.......huge is a understatement at best. Great video, hurry with #2

[@stevecravener336]

Both have been donated to air museums. This one will be at The Pima Air Museum in Tucson, the other in Vancouver.

[@alexandremargonarvcc]

Fantastic, waiting for part 2!

[@VMCAviationVideos]

Nice video, Thanks. I walked through the "Hawaiian Mars" in 2015 while I was visiting the Coulson Seaplane Base.

[@1teamski]

Amazing videos! Thanks for sharing your world!

[@MichaelVanHeemst]

Can’t wait to see the next two parts

[@Paughco]

VERY cool! I got to go on a tour of Alameda NAS as a kid, back in '54 or so. They let us actually sit at the controls of a Martin Mars flying boat! Later we got to go swimming at a nearby beach that was right under the approach. I saw Corsairs, Privateers, and Skyraiders on final. Way freaking cool!! Thank you for posting!

[@Frankestein01nl]

Very nice! Looking forwards to part 2, thanks Sir Weeks! ;)

[@BudFox559]

These are the best videos. Thanks Kermit.

[@biglar155]

Awesome. I got to see the Hawaii Mars up close at Oshkosh. We took our boat in near the Seaplane Base and we were blown away as we came around a point of land and there she was! Huge! Thanks so much for making this video. I have been curious about how they maintain her. That beaching gear is crazy.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Fabulous stuff - bring on part 2! All the best from Blighty....The Missenden Flyer

[@0YouCanCallMeAl0]

Well I guess I shouldn't be too surprised seeing you here :)

[@jamesekstrand1134]

Super interesting, could watch all day and Mr, Weeks your explanation of details is fantastic!

[@appliancetech9745]

A few years back saw both in action fighting a fire in Victoria at thetis lake. Thanks for video. My model airplane club operates a scale model of Hawaii Mars.

[@7775Kevin]

Great video. What a fantastic airplane. Thanks for such a detailed description of how they handle the airplanes.

[@mereclander]

Very good explanation and very well preserved plane. Thank you!!!

[@johnnieangel99]

I'm a member of the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum. I look forward to seeing the rest of the MARS Story. I also plan on passing this video along to the Staff. Kudos and I envy you.

[@xvdd1]

Oh boy are you going to add this to your collection what a beautiful plane I have always had a soft spot for flying boats their heyday was a brief period of decadence and solved the problem of building airports in the far flung reaches of the world. The Sunderland was made just down the road from me on the Medway so holds a special interest I was so happy to be able to go aboard and soak up the interior details at F of F many years ago a memory I will have forever, I remember thanking you in the visitors book for the opportunity to get access to the the Shorts and the B17 that day but hated having to use a worn felt tip pen that was there to write my appreciation as it did not give me enough space to fully express my gratitude but if you read this comment Thank you so much.

[@4501trainman]

Just found your web-site on here and I am glad you did a video these great planes. I have the DVD's part 1 and 2 on these great Flying Boats. They are not used any more from what I hear, but when they were used,they could scoop-up around 30-tons of water I believe(if it was water) on the fly,and then dump it on a fire covering almost 5-acres. They say they were so good that they actually put themselves out of work. One of was supposed to come down here to Florida's Pensacola Naval Air Station.

[@mkusch2337]

I love your videos! Thanks for sharing them Kermit.

[@TheSlugstoppa]

AMAZING Vid many thanks for posting.

[@keithrinehart809]

What an awesome seaplane! Great video Kermit!👍🏼😎

[@oldpete3153]

Live not too far away from these and have seen them in action many times over the years, they have a very interesting history.

[@Dartman6]

Well, this is just too cool! I'm on the East coast of Canada, and a fan of the Mars and Kermit!

[@josephgeis6641]

Thanks for all the videos, I love your channel.

[@jengar6258]

fantastic watch! :)

[@peterkeenan8938]

I'm from the UK and I didn't know what a "buiee" was - then I figured that Kermit was talking about a "buoy". In the UK, we say "boy", i.e. the "u" is silent. Great video as ever Kermit - I look forward to seeing the other parts.

[@marchindy]

That was awesome, thanks so much for sharing. Loved visiting Fantasy of Flight as well.

[@BetterAircraftFabric]

Great Video !!! Great Story !!! Thanks for posting !

[@willythewave]

Kermie cam Yaaayyy! Happy New Year Kermit.

[@45631063]

thank you very much for your explanations about these devices on the tramas of your aerodrome or airport. for all these details.

[@MrBook123456]

Amazing aircraft! to see

[@flyinloe]

Your love of aviation shows, (Basically), thanks.

[@donaldparlettjr3295]

They are magnificent beasts. Boy would they be fun to fly with four big round motors chugging along.

[@andrewferguson3535]

Brilliant thanks so much Kermit 👍

[@P51]

this is fascinating and EXPENSIVE

[@fishfuxors]

New wings and turboprops! Keep them flying!!!

[@dbaider9467]

Loving seeing this up close. Passed by them many times on the way to Tofino and never got an opportunity to stop. Once had one pass overhead coming into landing. Sunlight disappeared for a second. What a noise!

[@ceannscriteach81]

Irish Aer Corps insignia on your profile pic Doug?

[@dbaider9467]

@@ceannscriteach81 Yes. Maintained Dauphins in the 90's before leaving. I love the patch as it is circular, Irish and fits the circular pic.

[@fourfortyroadrunner6701]

Kermit Kermit KERMIT!!! All the short words go together, red, port, left, and all the "long" words go together, green, starboard, right. Or just look at the nav lights on the aircraft LOL

[@Snow_owl1966]

I really like this thanks a lot Mister weeks

[@agp7073]

Amazing aircraft!

[@P61guy61]

Excellent video on a plane I have wanted to see more details about. Thank you !

[@juanvazquez-torres5676]

Thank you great video I be going to the museum soon

[@robertsprague853]

Robert Turner, my Father in Law, built the Mars hulls and tails at Martin

[@waynemerlo7448]

I really hope they both get preserved.

[@carlobenedicti]

Thank YOU!!!

[@NickRatnieks]

Anything that makes a Short Sunderland look like a practical aeroplane to own and fly, has to be completely off the scale. I can remember buying my Flying boat book (author William Green) back in 1963 as a kid and marvelling at the Mars- and here they are, still viable and working but as Kermit points out, you need a government to finance the deal! Amazing survivors from the flying boat big league designs of Britain, Germany, Japan, France and the USA.

[@marknelson5929]

Thank you very much, most interesting!

[@brentlockyer6850]

I saw the mars take on a mill fire Totally awesome aircraft.

[@HHacker1959]

Great Video!!!

[@13ahab]

Great stuff

[@Renequeiroz]

Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!

[@stephensimpson5283]

That's Freak'n awesome!!!!!! So interesting.

[@melted_cheetah]

Never knew there was another one in such great condition and in stealthy black no less

[@stone7281]

Please bring this giant back to america, kermie. I'd drive to florida just to see it. (i drove to oshkosh...) If you don't feel like spending the rest of your money keeping them alive, just upload the rest of the series already. I love the martin mars.

[@markallen3293]

Way Cool!

[@ColeAviation]

Can’t wait for part 2. 😁👍🏼 Kermit do own these two planes?

[@willythewave]

Wow!

[@emmedigi89]

It's just incredible how complicated it is to operate those birds and how much care they need!

[@bfmcarparts]

Happy New Year Mr. Weeks! Hope you and your family and staff at Fantasy of Flight had a good Christmas holiday. Unlike a lot of other presenters, your videos are both very entertaining and informative, and when an error is given, you 'auto-correct ' yourself promptly. Keep up the good (entertaining) work for 2018! Could you answer this for me? In your recording the ramp, to the shoreline side of fuel farm, is there a nose section of another Mars there? Or is it some smaller aircraft like a 747?

[@KermitWeeks444]

It was a Mars nose section from an uncompleted airplane.

[@bfmcarparts]

Could it be a recovered cockpit section from one of the Mars aircraft that crashed in the early sixties early in these aircraft's water bombing career?

[@URBANTERRITORYww3]

that is one expensive airplane! but a hell of a lot of fun just to look at it.

[@mhn3773]

awesome, first minuet answered a question I had. How do you store them. Thanks for the videos.

[@leesherman100]

Stationed at N.A.S. Alameda for a few years if memory serves!

[@williameudy633]

This is the closest thing left to a Boeing 314. I would love to go back in time and take one of those to Hawaii.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

The colors refer to standard navigation lights. Green starboard. Red is port side. Pretty clever stuff and easy for squids

[@tobberfutooagain2628]

Nothin but cool all the way around…. Thanks.

[@lebaillidessavoies3889]

Wahoo!awsome!!! So they repainted this thing navy blue? looks nice!

[@peachtrees27]

an all-black monster flying boat. i just cant think of anything cooler

[@teerex51]

Great Kermie Cam report, thanks! The Philippine Mars is in pristine shape. Any chance of adding that big boy to your collection? I hear the plane is seriously for sale.

[@breth8159]

Went to Lake Elsinore Southern California some years back we were having some wild fires and they sent the Hawaii Mars down & looking out on that Lake and seeing that was like some sort of strange Mirage

[@ericlakota6512]

Wow u own it now i hope u do it my favorit plain like wen it hade red wing tips