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
Live updates: What star witness in Trump hush money case has said on the stand so far
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.’s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease’s progression.
Canucks' Soucy suspended 1 game, Zadorov fined $5,000 for post-game crosschecks on McDavid
A Vancouver Canucks defenceman has been suspended for a game and another was handed a hefty fine after a scrum broke out at the end of Game 3 against the Edmonton Oilers Sunday night.
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sues for defamation over National Enquirer, InTouch Weekly stories
'Judge Judy' Sheindlin sued the parent company of the National Enquirer and InTouch Weekly on Monday for a story that she said falsely claimed that she was trying to help the Menendez brothers get a retrial after they were convicted of murdering their parents.
Wildfire smoke drifts across Canada, over parts of U.S., prompting air quality advisories
Air quality advisories are in effect across Western Canada as smoky conditions plague some areas, according to the latest forecasts. Here's where.
'A great victory for the industry': Taxi drivers celebrate ruling that found City of Ottawa negligent in allowing Uber to operate
An Ontario Superior Court judge has ruled that the City of Ottawa was negligent in its enforcement of the city's taxi bylaw when it allowed Uber to begin operating in 2014, harming the city's established taxi industry.