Questions are being raised in Canada about the absence of the fire-swatting Martin Mars, as a vast wildfire burning out of control was expected to double in size, fanned by high winds and feeding on dry vegetation, and a dangerous rescue operation to help thousands of people to safety entered its second day.
The owner of British Columbia’s iconic Martin Mars water bomber is responding to public criticism that the firefighting plane should be helping put out fires in Fort McMurray, Alta.
”People have been clamouring on social media for the plane, a symbol of firefighting prowess, to be put to work on the devastating fire enveloping parts of northern Alberta.
“We have had several inquiries from the public and the media as to why the Mars is not working on the fire situation up in Fort McMurray,” said Coulson Flying Tankers owner Wayne Coulson in a Facebook post.
Coulson said there are three main reasons why the 70-year-old plane hasn’t been deployed — the most salient being that no one has requested it.
“If there was a request by the Alberta government to contract the Martin Mars, we would do everything in our power to support the request,” he said.
Furthermore, Coulson said it’s not as simple as just sending in the plane to fight the fires.
“No aircraft operator in the world can simply go and put out a fire,” he said. “Even if they wanted to and if someone ever did, they would be facing serious criminal charges.”
Lastly, Coulson said, the Martin Mars is undergoing its annual inspection.
“Based on the fact no government has any interest whatsoever in the aircraft fighting fire, we have decided to take the Mars to the Oshkosh Air Show in late July in hopes of finding another business or home for it,” he said. ”
By: scotavia - 8th May 2016 at 23:11
Neat video Duggy thanks, Flankerman I spotted in a reoprt a few days ago that 75 air tankers were involved. I have afeeling that film crews are being very wary about getting close the this one.
By: Duggy - 8th May 2016 at 22:35
Details on its operations.
By: Flanker_man - 8th May 2016 at 22:29
Just watched a clip on ITV news – and saw the rear view of a Beriev Be-200 dropping water.
Was that just usual lax TV reporting using stock footage – or are Be-200’s really being used ???
I must say there seems to be a lack of aerial firefighting – at least on the news footage I’ve seen – all I can remember watching is an S-64 in some foothage, nothing else.
Ken
By: snafu - 8th May 2016 at 21:43
Additional.
Just watched an old episode of Mythbusters, the myth about a scuba diver getting scooped up by a water bomber and is later found dead in a tree.
For those who care the intake on the Martin Mars water scoop is 6 inches, too small to scoop up or hold a diver.
By: wieesso - 8th May 2016 at 07:25
How long does it take to fill the 747 with a full load of water/retardant?
how many gallons/litres makes up a full load?
Second question: 19,600 gallons of fire retardant or water
By: snafu - 8th May 2016 at 00:49
Well, it isn’t going to be able to scoop up water to fill its tanks as it taxis, that is for sure.
Last I heard the other Mars was supposed to be ferried out in either April or May; doesn’t sound like it was April…
By: Arabella-Cox - 7th May 2016 at 22:51
How long does it take to fill the 747 with a full load of water/retardant?
how many gallons/litres makes up a full load?
By: scotavia - 7th May 2016 at 22:46
Sad , very sad that predjudice against the use of older aircraft has relegated the Martin Mars to being sidelined.Shows an ignorance on the part of official regional bodies ,they cannot understand that age is not the main factor in air safety. Given correct regular servicing age is not an isssue as long as the airframe is within limits.
By: Sabrejet - 7th May 2016 at 21:42
I’m sure the remaining Mars is on an Annual check? It’s early in the fire season, so not beyond possibility.
By: Ian Hunt - 7th May 2016 at 21:30
Water bombers
Given the size of the inferno, I doubt even a fleet of MM’s would deal with it.
What’s needed, is about ten days of continuous and heavy rainfall.
I imagine that’s correct. Given, they’re now saying, the fire area is now larger than a city (New York quoted) an a/c dousing the flames on a few football-pitch-sized areas wouldn’t, to my mind, seem likely to make much difference.
How many such a/c are available, and what would the turn-round time between drops be? In windy, dry conditions the fire will simply move on between drops. And if it’s bigger than NYC (and, they say, potentially doubling in size shortly) that’s a HUGE perimeter of flame.
Can’t see how anything but a change in the weather (wind, wind direction, and/or rainfall) is going to make much real difference.
Ian
By: Duggy - 7th May 2016 at 19:40
Yep heading to Oshkosh with none other than Kermit Weeks.
LINK – https://www.facebook.com/KermitWeeks/?fref=nf
Of interest this just did its first water drop.
But as John above said, we need rain & lots of it.
By: John Green - 7th May 2016 at 19:34
Given the size of the inferno, I doubt even a fleet of MM’s would deal with it.
What’s needed, is about ten days of continuous and heavy rainfall.
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May 7, 2016 at 7:26 pm