Famous B.C.-based Martin Mars water bomber listed for $5 million
Selling a piece of aviation history is a lot like selling a house, according to the man auctioning B.C.’s famous Martin Mars water bomber.
“Someone comes and makes an offer, then it’s accepted,” Simon Brown, president of Platinum Fighter Sales, says over the phone from his Los Angeles home. Just 24 hours after listing the Hawaii Mars II for $5 million, Brown says he woke to six different emails from prospective buyers.
The Martin Mars bomber is the largest flying boat to enter Allied service during the Second World War, then was later assigned the role of a transport aircraft. After the prototype XPB2M-1R flew in 1942, the U.S. Navy ordered 20 more aircraft, only five of which were made.
A Canadian company, Forest Industries Flying Tankers, purchased the aircraft in 1959, converting them to use in firefighting operations. The recently listed Hawaii Mars II was purchased by B.C.-based Coulson Forest Products Ltd. in 2007, and has been stored in Sproat Lake, Port Alberni since it’s last flight in 2016.
Brown estimates it will take upwards of three months to get the plane ready for flight, and laughs at the idea of purchasing it himself.
“Even if someone gave this to you, the upkeep is going to be huge,” says Brown, guessing the care will cost $100,000 per year. “You’ll need a full time crew to maintain this airplane and where are you going to keep it? Obviously you need a big lake or body of water.”
Brown believes the iconic red and white plane could end up in a museum, though its former owner Wanye Coulson would like to see it continue to fly as a hobby aircraft.
“Today, Hawaii Mars II remains the only airworthy example of its type in the world,” the listing reads. "A unique part of aviation history is now available for the discerning buyer, or donor.”
Most recently, the Hawaii Mars II delighted enthusiasts at the EAA’s 2016 Air Venture, simulating fire attacks on the Oshkosh Airfield.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.