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The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum loses in bid to acquire historic Martin Mars Seaplane

Middle River, MD April 17, 2007 -- The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum has apparently lost the Martin Mars bid to Coulson Aircrane Inc., a helicopter logging firm in British Columbia. Public statements from TimberWest, Coulson, the City of Port Alberni, and the local Canadian newspapers, indicate Coulson acquired the entire Flying Tankers operation – both aircraft, support equipment, employees, and the lease on the Sproat Lake site. The Mars flying boats will continue to provide fire suppression as water-bombers from their traditional base at Sproat Lake. Unless a snag develops, the deal should be signed within one month.

The Museum had hoped to bring the aircraft back home to Middle River, Maryland, where the planes were manufactured between 1941 and 1945 at the Glenn L. Martin Company.

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Keine Rede von Ruhestand
Beide Martin Mars waren bei den letzten Waldbränden in Kalifornien im Einsatz.
Über ihre Bodenklappen können innerhalb 25 Sekunden über 27 Tonnen Wasser aufgenommen werden,d as während des Fluges mit einem Schaumkonzentrat versetzt wird. Damit können die Martin Mars einen 1,6 ha großen Schaumteppich legen
Durchschnittlich dauert ein Löschumlauf 15 Minuten