Martin Mars Water Bomber Demo - Richmond, B.C.

[@jimnichols9604]

As a Fireman with the Langford Volunteer fire Dept. we were fighting a mountain top forest fire in Glen Lake . Having spent a couple of days fighting the fire, word came down that the BC Forrest service had authorized the water tankers to assist us. We were ordered to leave the site and shortly the “ Bird Dog was scouting the fire. It then left and came back with its sirens blazing, and then this red monster of the Mars swooped in over the top of the mountain and dropped this WALL of water directly over the hot spot. There was nothing more to do but roll up the hoses and head back to the hall and clean up.

[@DownBelowNagrind]

When was this? I remember when I was a kid in Sooke being woken up by this thing flying overhead. Instead of sending me back to bed, my father took me to the Sooke Basin to watch it scoop. Really fond memory, makes me wonder if this was the same fire you fought.

[@jimnichols9604]

I think it would have been 1976 or 7

[@stevekovacs6250]

My Father was the flight engineer on that plane when it was Navy commissioned. I also flew on this plane between Hawaii and Alameda Naval Air Station when I was 2 years old.

[@TOKAMEEL]

Thanks for sharing this historic aircraft with us! Also, thank you for NOT covering up the sound of those great radial engines with cheesy or beautiful music.

[@Patmofar]

Four eighteen radial cylinder Wright Cyclones, two thousand five hundred horsepower each. There is not an orchestra in the world that can make music to match them. They don't make them like that anymore and never will again.

[@countrichardvoncoudenhovek8855]

Totally agree, some idiot usually wants to put the music of Top Gun over the sound of 4 beautiful radial engines

[@janelynn2560]

I would love that sound as a sleep app ASMR. It’s hard to find that particular engine sound. I’ll keep looking.

[@TheMattC9999]

​@@janelynn2560just cut it from this video and make a loop of it.

[@TheMagurk]

I worked fires with both Martin Mars and Canso (CDN Catalina PBY) waterbombers on them in the late 60's and spent many hours watching the Mars working fires on Southern Vancouver Island in the early '70's.Just remembering the sound of a Mars passing overhead coming into drop on a fire still raises goosebumps!!

[@1951Ford]

That would have been my uncle Bill Waddington flying it then.

[@tommym6335]

Thanks so much for posting this video; the sound of those radial engines is simply awesome! One of the best I have heard. The 1080p HD is the icing on the cake.

[@karlk6860]

What an incredible video and as has been said before thank you for not having some stupid noise covering up the music from these engines!! Great Job on the Vid

[@timharris7452]

Dearly Missed Aircraft. Amazing aircraft

[@johnbenton4488]

What a magnificent machine. Martins must be very proud of their achievement.

[@therealslimshady3662]

every martin around the world thinks fondly of it, yes

[@serer577]

NOW... WE NEED THIS.

[@cindymacdonald8655]

Beautiful plane. I was lucky enough to watch this beauty in action on Skaha lake while on vacation. A trip I have never forgotten. Wow

[@FreeLion007]

Thanks for posting this video. I have loved that Mars for many years, and hope that it flies forever, since it can drop more water than anything else: 60,000#. That can have quite a salubrious effect on a fire and the Mars has, on more than one occasion, put out a forest fire with one drop. With only one craft left, though, a suitable replacement is necessary, perhaps composite and even more streamlined, with piston engines (better fuel economy) or turboprops (more power) & powered controls.

[@bigfish7493]

Please begin the renderings now!

[@Fastmack]

There are still 2 left. As of now they're both on the bomber base on Sproat Lake. The Hawaii Marsnis airworthy and was up flying yesterday. The Phillipines Mars would need a refit to fly, but the airframe is entirely sound and capable.

[@garydhaese7318]

As a 16 year old I was able to go under the Mars Water bomber in 1977 while they were based on Sprout Lake in Port Alberni in British Cpolumbia Canada. It was a great memory.

[@robjohnson8522]

Thanks for posting such a well done video of such a rare bird!

[@xxmeilaoxx]

I love watching this beauty scoop up water from in front of my house to fight fires in my province. Thank god that bonehead premier reinstated it earlier today.

[@larrymoore3763]

So what Trump said about your prime minister was correct 😊

[@EasternExplorer]

How did you get Prime Minister out of Premier? 2 different things. He was referring to the tard, Notley.

[@marshamoore8385]

So beautiful. I love all float planes! But the Martin Mars is my very favorite! Thanks

[@afinelookinggentleman2631]

Grew up in Port. Love these planes. When they flew overhead, which they did often as a child, everyone stopped to look up and admire them. They roar! They're so impressive. And they put out many fires. Got to watch them many times, working and on maintainance runs. Had a tour once, very cool. Somewhere theres a picture of me in the pilots seat. Theres a huge sense of pride with the people of Port Alberni regarding these flying boats. I hope you can keep her going for some time Wayne. And when you do retire her, I beg that you keep her in town. Broke a lot of hearts to watch one go. Please please please lets keep one. You know you want to. Wayne likes the toys, and this is the baddest ass toy ever.

[@davidedward2352]

Grew up there too... Really, besides a nice clean lake, this is the only thing folks can be proud of. I'm grad 87 ..... We the same generation?

[@javacup912]

What a great airplane! Brings back memories of the old passenger flying boats. Excellent engine sound, and looks like a pretty good load of water for a forest fire. Great video, thanks.

[@foskco87]

I got to fly on this plane the sunday before this was filmed! They were doing a test flight before leaving for vancouver. Was one of the best moments of my life being as Ive lived on Sproat all my life and been wanting to fly in one forever!!

[@katiebradley1872]

I bet that was awesome!

[@foskco87]

Excellent camera work. Love these planes. I grew up on Sproat Lake and have flown in the hawaii mars, it was one of the best experiences of my life.

[@Antonov22A]

An dream!!! Wish i could see this live!!! Thank`s that you show us that video!!

[@MarcvanExel]

I sat in the left chair in this wonderful aircraft back in the summer of 2008. She was on the shore for maintenance at her home base in Port Alberni. I will never forget that. Fantastic footage!

[@djw6670]

oh. my. god. that engine sound on takeoff is glorious

[@eeyore.official]

Beautiful to see old birds like this still flying. Great footage. :D

[@scottvandenham6816]

Beautiful sound. Great to hear that it is getting another chance to show off.

[@oceantrolls73]

WOW. the video, aircraft and weather; absolutely perfect. Thank you Sir for a great post.

[@4501trainman]

There is also the DC-10 which carries a large load of Fire-Retardant. It has to land after it drops it's full-load,but the Martin Mars does not have to land and come to a full stop to reload. After it drops it's load,it just skims the water surface to pick up another 30-ton load of water(which covers over 4-acres),to which it can add chemicals it can store on board in other tanks, and since it has around a 4,000-mile-range,it can stay in the air for around 5-1/2-hours at a time without refueling. The maintenance-crew also refuels,and works on the flying-boat overnight,so it is ready to go the next day. It costs a lot of money to operate,but it is very efficient in the way it operates.There is a very good 2-part DVD set on these Flying Boats,with on-board-operating-footage.

[@foskco87]

It was an amazing flight. Saturday our flight was cancelled because engine 4 was burning too rich. They have an amazing mechanic crew though so by Sunday afternoon it was ready to go. It was surprising how smooth this plane is. Even during pickups and landing you can hardly tell when the plane has touched water. Also I was allowed to walk around inside where ever I wanted. I got some good footy and pics from inside, maybe ill post them when I get the time.

[@williammcivor45]

Thanks for sharing! :) An amazing piece of history still working away.. with an honorable task!

[@walterkiel552]

WOW! This water bomber is HUGE!

[@pyrelogic9876]

ikr

[@djal3x468]

Water bomber what ??!!??

[@desperatepsycho]

Absolute unit

[@lorne2405]

buffalo joe needs 1 of these in Yellowknife.what a freakin beast!

[@Zombielolcats]

Water bombers are so cool! It was also the most unnerving thing having them fly low over my house as a kid! The size and sound of these planes are awesome yet intimidating!!

[@jeffreyrice7126]

sweet sound! I love big prop driven planes....we have a restored B-17 in Mesa that sounds like 20 Harleys!!

[@costas1010]

Amazing video and so rare..Thank you for sharing Del!!

[@delten-eleven1910]

Nothing like the sound of reciprocating radials!

[@chrisjmarr]

Nice to see the bomber fly again. Luv the old prop jobs

[@delpillar]

posted on different aviation forums and olympic websites....it did a drop in vancouver too for the olympics and stayed here in richmond over night. there were lots of people here filming and taking photos.

[@ml.2770]

One flight left. Happy retirement C-FLYL

[@ThinkingManNeil]

A terrific video of one of my favourite aircraft!

[@AVMamfortas]

Few, if any, aircraft (or anything else) has such 'Presence'. Magnificent machine.

[@stranraerwal]

simply BEAUTIFUL ! There is nothing like an old flying boat !

[@fitza9107]

the Martin Mars has to be around 70 years old now? A piece of flying history!

[@genebohannon8820]

First one with a sp!it tail flew in early 1945. Then the order of 20 was cut to just 5 more

[@TheSirjohn2012]

This airplane is a huge beast and it's too bad that in southern CA,we don't have this airplane in our CDF base. The helos are fine but are sorely limited. This beast will shut up the most harshest critics of old planes. Hey SAN DIEGO.! aRE YOU LISTENING AND REASDING ABOUT THIS NOW...

[@jesselloyd207]

She's for sale, make an offer. BC Governments contract ended in 2013 and she's looking for a new home

[@excalibur8600]

They lease these planes during fire season in so cal (lake elsinore) and its docked pretty close to my work. Its awesome to watch this thing land and take off, it never gets old.

[@simongee8928]

There's always something intriguing about watching a seaplane / flying boat unsticking from the 'step' as it's taking off.

[@yuckabuster]

Amazing. Lots of respect for those guys.

[@Maxum97SeaDoo91]

She's a Beauty! I read recently that this old gal is soon to be retired and will come to Pensacola naval Aviation museum. Anyone else heard if it's true and when is she coming....I want to be there when she arrives!

[@4501trainman]

I think it's coming to Pensacola after it visits Oshkosh this July.

[@Djinnjaha]

Is there any aircraft with a similar water bombing capacity able to replace it? The need will remain: forest fires around the globe sure ain't gonna retire anytime soon!

[@delten-eleven1910]

Djinnjaha: There's the DC-10.

[@Djinnjaha]

Ah: 45,000 litres of water (or fire-retardant chemicals) on the DC-10, vs 27,000 litres of water on the JRM-3 Mars. DC-10 is faster in the air and has larger capacity but can only reload on land. The Mars is slower has less capacity but can reload quickly from scooping up water while taxiing - thanks for answering! :)

[@margaretdelcuze3764]

My son took a picture of the mars and a picture of my dad, Capt. Winsor, in the bridge taken from Time magazine 1944 to the Pensacola Air museum and they indicated they are thinking of bringing one to the museum.

[@Senor0Droolcup]

Great video of a rare aircraft: thank you!

[@bigfish7493]

Without any doubt, the Martin is in a class of its own! Hurrah!

[@helisoma]

It's like a small version of the Spruce Goose....amazing aircraft...proud to be Canadian :).

[@cjracer1000]

O, I saw this aircraft on flickr! It really is a nice aircraft, and it's also cool to see it in action! Nice video!

[@notar1]

I used web tracker he flew over us at Hillsboro Airport at about 7000 feet .. thanx for posting !!!

[@CraigKirkpatrickInnovator]

Impressive video of a very rare flying boat. Keep her flying.

[@4501trainman]

There is a 2-part DVD-set on these great planes. They were so good at putting out forest fires,they easily put them selves out of work.

[@Zenigotcha]

They should start manufacturing these beautiful behemoths again.

[@maintenance9665]

العرب الذين يشاهدون اقلاع الطائرة المستعملة في اطفاء الحرائق من الجزائر بصحة والراحة وعقبال الدول لخرين

[@FPdesignfab]

Awesome plane. Strange, people dislike anything and everything. Why would 59 people dislike or even bother down thumbing this video! Thx for posting I liked seeing it.

[@kimnielsenthewordyvikingett159]

That was so freaking impressive 😍💞 I'm actually stunned 😯😳!!!! I want one!!!!!

[@kturner3798]

The Mars was featured in Seversky's book, "Victory Through Air Power" as the future of maritime-based heavy bombers. Few were built and I'm surprised this one was still flying.

[@wrightuttivr6028]

I remember these two in Penticton in '94 during the Garnett Fires.

[@frequentairbusflyer8]

Perfectly filmed! Just awesome!

[@delpillar]

@sichogs Yah it was a great time there.....I used a Canon Vixia HG21.....Also posted on my main channel page. thanks for watching.

[@WAL_DC-6B]

Nice and noisy! Just the way this 4 engine flying boat should sound.

[@bret9741]

I have always loved boat planes. This one is gorgeous

[@mikenaisbitt9613]

that is one hellva big flying boat------just love the noise

[@fight2flyphoto]

Dude! AWESOME video! Very nicely done! Nice to see someone else using a similar camera, mine's the HG20. :-)

[@JoLoh1]

Awesome Video! Thank you for uploading. Greetings from Germany.

[@mrfreezer6158]

wow this water bomber is huge

[@BeechSundowner]

One HUGE plane! The engine sounds sound rhythmic if such a word, very, very cool!

[@smaze1782]

Dang....that is one BIG flying boat!! Very cool video!

[@bushpilot223]

Such an amazing aircraft! Massive! I WANT TO FLY ONE OF THESE! It's like a giant firefighting yacht with wings. Imagine a privately owned one? Customized, luxury living space inside, retractable water slide off the back...it'd be a flying houseboat.

[@dega-on5wx]

Awesome video!!! ... felt as though I was right there. ... what an incredible flying ship!

[@greetenmax]

what a great video! I saw one of those in the distance in a lake B.C. Impressive.

[@ElvenMans]

Nice show, great camera work!

[@AlfOfAllTrades]

What a gorgeous airplane.

[@SunnyDaySam]

Great video! Thanks! That has to be the best flying job in the world.

[@DavesTBSS]

That sound though..... It's so beautiful!

[@barontaylor7139]

This plane was used in the A-Team movie

[@ahmadtheaviationlover1937]

The size of this queen is huge and her sound is gorgeous

[@Backtrack]

It's great to see, the engines are the music!

[@connortremeer1966]

To be honest we needed like 10 of these to help with fort mickmery. and the one was not good enough and the delay was taxing to civilians and it cost lives.

[@jasonfish4]

Thank you - great job! Please post the other vid.

[@dookmann]

Who are those 5 guys who always thumbs down any video? WTF? That was freaking BEAUTIFUL! Sadly, off to a museum.

[@IsaacOLEG]

how beautiful! the propellers can revert ? (no brakes !)

[@ronaldsimmons9517]

What a majestic aircraft! I wonder about the feasibility of refitting these with turbine (turbo-prop) engines?

[@ProChoiceJesus]

Radial Love. Man, what an astoundingly georgeous airplane! Wow.

[@astoniz]

AMAZING !!! really nice ,, this is my 1st time that i saw a Flying Tanker :) ... Thats really really amazing..

[@doenjangstew4438]

Feeling like watching a fantastic movie.

[@delpillar]

Yup first time ever seeing it up close.

[@ShivSilverhawk]

What a beautiful machine!

[@tuna22lm]

Nice. I just love those planes. I grew up in a logging camp on vancouver island. The camp was called caycuse camp 6. When i was young the mars would tie up to a bouy so it could fuel up. A bunch of us kids would swim out to it. It is massive. The bouy is still there. When i was older i was helping to put out a fire on the rail way track in the town of lake cowichan. The fire was started by the train. Any way i almost got nailed by the green slyme it came pretty close. After i bought my house in.

[@Mr420Evans]

need about a thousand of these

[@hunt4fish]

what a beauty to watch working......... tnx

[@13Ophiuchus]

I love these! I want three but I'll have to wait just a bit longer... Caw!

[@OPS5255]

What a joy to watch. Great aircraft.

[@indyme2]

Cool video. Thanks.

[@christianlebordelais]

Superbe moment de rêve......belles images.

[@ALL_OUT_OF_BUBBLEGUM]

One of my favorite aircraft of all time. The only thing sadder than their being only two airworthy examples of the Mars, is it's little brother, the Martin Mariner, only has one intact example (that I know of) and it's a museum piece that will never fly again.

[@AilsaForshaw]

Why isn't the Martin Mars being called in to help with the Fort McMurray Fires?

[@valderja]

That is a monster! Very impressive.

[@hugu01]

AMAZING video shots and quality as allways!!Thank you!!