This monster tanker is one of only two in the world and until a few minutes ago was moored at Bridge Bay on Shasta Lake, fighting the numerous wildfires around Redding. It is the Hawaii Mars built by the Glenn Martin Company in the late 1930's for long-range Navy maritime patrol duty. Six were built originally but over the course of the war and later cargo duties two were lost to accidents. The remaining four, all named after South Pacific Island groups, were auctioned for scrap in 1956 from the Alameda Naval Air Station where they had been flying cargo since the war. Affectionately known as the Big Four, they had accumulated 87,000+ accident free hours of service and their impending doom was mourned by their loyal navy crews.
Dan McIvor, a fire tanker pilot in Canada got wind of the sale and picked up all four along with 30-some spare engines (enormous 2,500 hp Wright Cyclones), 47 tons of spare parts, and cabinets full of design plans. He ferried all the goods in the aircraft up to Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island and outfitted each with a unique retractable scoop that could be lowered behind the step on the seaplane's hull. This allowed the plane to scoop up water while skimming the surface of a lake, saving vast amounts of time and money. The craft can carry up to 60,000 lbs. of water and it takes a mere 30 to 40 seconds to load, mixing a fire retardant called Thermo-Gel as it comes into the onboard tanks.
As the years went by one craft was lost in an accident and another in a windstorm. The two remaining, Hawaii Mars and Philippine Mars, now travel all over the world with a complete ground support 18 wheeler (that carries spare parts and an extra engine) as well as a tanker truck for aviation fuel. The visit to Shasta Lake was only for a few days and I did not get to see the aircraft in action much to my regret. I was planning on going down Tuesday the 8th and just watching until it took off but when I called they said it was being dispatched today the 5th for some fires west of Palo Cedro.
A gallery of photos and more info can be found at www.martinmars.com.
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