It has been a very good Birthday!
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@chris that’s fantastic. Are those the only two left in existence? Looking forward to seeing it on my next visit to Pima
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@jeffzugale that’s correct. Five were made plus one prototype I believe. One was lost “Hawaii Mars I” to an engine fire early on, then four were produced and flew successful service careers in the Navy: Philippine, Caroline, Marianas, and Hawaii Mars II until they were decommissioned in the 50s.
All four were bought by a consortium of forestry companies in BC in the 1950s for conversion to firefighting water bombers. Marianas Mars was lost while fighting a fire about 50km from my home on Vancouver Island due to a malfunction in the drop system. Caroline Mars was lost during a strong wind storm when it was on land still awaiting conversion.
Philippine and Hawaii served continuously from the 1960s into the 2000s. They last fought a fire together around 2004 I believe. They were the largest water bombers in the world, capable of bringing the most water of any aircraft, continuously, to any fire within range of a lake.
Philippine was retired in 2006. Hawaii retired, mostly due to politics, but also maintenance costs, in 2015.
Philippine is headed to Pima. Hawaii is already in Victoria,BC at the BC Aviation museum. The same location where they were all originally converted. They will be building a hanger around her.
