Warbird fans and aviation history fans were undoubtedly aware of the recent final journey of the last great American seaplane, the Martin JRM-3 Mars “Philippine Mars”. On February 9th the Philippine Mars touched down safely in San Francisco Bay after a 4.5 hr flight from British Columbia. She would depart the next day for her final flight, landing in Lake Pleasant, Arizona. From there the Philippine Mars will be dismantled for road transport to her new home, joining the world-class collection of the Pima Air & Space Museum.
This seemingly smooth journey didn’t start out that way. The first attempt was on December 11th, cut short when engine trouble necessitated a return to home base at Sproat Lake, B.C. The second attempt on Dec. 15, also hobbled by engine issues, resulted in a landing in Patricia Bay, B.C. for repairs. Luckily a sister ship, the “Hawaii Mars”, was available nearby to act as a source for engines and other assorted components. After the repairs, some test flights, and a nice break in the weather, the flight was greenlighted again.
As a resident in the San Francisco region, I was excited that San Francisco and San Diego were announced as overnight stops for the big seaplane. Both areas have deep seaplane roots, with U.S. Navy seaplane squadrons operating the Mars at bases in both cities. I witnessed the arrival from the Seaplane Lagoon in Alameda, site of the former Naval Air Station. This location was a bit far from the landing and a breakwater intruded on the view. We had all hoped to see the Mars taxi by under power but had to settle for her being towed instead.
Scheduled to depart the next day, I waffled on a location to photograph from, ultimately betting on Treasure Island as it would be under a northbound departure if conditions prevailed. After dejectedly watching several southbound high-speed taxi runs I was rewarded when she swung about and began the takeoff run. Luckily I was almost directly under the climbout, and I was the sole photographer at that location.
The largest Allied flying boat to enter production, the Philippine Mars is one of only five Martin JRM Mars flying boats that served in the U.S. Navy, ferrying cargo to Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. The planes were all named after Pacific islands. Retired in 1956, the four surviving aircraft were sold to a a group of timber companies in British Columbia, and converted into the world’s largest waterbombers. The conversion involved the installation of a 7,200 US gal plywood tank in the cargo bay with retractable scoops that took in water while the aircraft was taxiing. The scoops could refill the tanks in 22 seconds.
In 2007, Coulson Aviation purchased two of the aircraft, the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars, as the basis for fixed-wing air tanker operations. In 2012, Coulson announced the retirement of the Philippine Mars, which would be flown to the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. The Mars was repainted to its original U.S. Navy colors but the Pensacola plans fell through. On December 3, 2024, Philippine Mars flew for the first time since 2007 as part of a series of test flights.
In service until 2016, the Hawaii Mars left the base at Sproat Lake in August and now resides at its new permanent home at the BC Aviation Museum in Sidney, British Columbia. Hawaii Mars and Philippine Mars are the only Martin JRM Mars aircraft remaining today. One was destroyed in a crash and another lost in a storm.
