Martin Mars back in the air, ready for final delivery flight.

In a poignant  event for aviation enthusiasts, in early Dec 24 the Philippine Mars, one of the last two remaining Martin JRM Mars flying boats returned to the skies, just a few months after the last flight of its sistership. These two were the last airworthy 4 engined piston flying boats of the WW2 era and had an extended career as  firefighting water bombers for Coulson Aviation.  The aircraft’s flight signals the beginning of its final journey to the Pima Air and Space Museum (PASM) in Tucson, Arizona, where it will become a centerpiece of the collection.

Philippine Mars. Engine Run, Launch and High Speed Step Taxi on Sproat Lake. – YouTube    Watch this just for the last 20 seconds !