The Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber mid flight.

Image Credit: BC Ministry of Tourism - Coulson Aviation

The iconic Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber is going to be preserved at the British Columbia Aviation Museum.

The province has announced it is giving the museum $250,000 to set the aircraft up as the centrepiece for the museum’s wildfire aviation exhibit, according to a Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport press release issued today, March 28. 

“The Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber is a proud symbol of B.C.’s ingenuity and innovation, representing cutting-edge technology in aviation firefighting of its time,” Tourism Minister Lana Popham said in the release.

“We recognize the value the Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber holds for many people and have heard their desire to have it housed in the British Columbia Aviation Museum, where it can be displayed and protected as an important piece of our province’s history.”

Visitors will be able to get up close and personal with the aircraft, checking out all the details in their aeronautical glory.

The Martin Mars is the size of a Boeing 747, and fought more than 4,000 wildfires during its lifetime.

READ MORE: Iconic Martin Mars water bomber could be yours for $5 million

This water bomber was initially a transport carrier for the U.S. Navy. It served as the largest air ambulance during the Korean War before it was converted into a water bomber in 1958.

The Martin Mars flew faithfully until its last wildfire mission in 2015 putting out fires in B.C., Alberta, California and Mexico.

The BC Aviation Museum has been trying to preserve this aircraft for a long time.

READ MORE: B.C. firefighters getting help from Ontario

“The museum's Save the Mars project has been years in the making. Now, with this provincial funding, we can begin the journey to bring this historic bomber to its final home. I am overjoyed at the prospect of not only preserving this vintage aircraft, but to be able to showcase its fascinating history as a B.C. aviation story,” the museum’s president Steve Nichol said in the release.

The Hawaii Martin Mars will be making its last flight from Sproat Lake to the Saanich Inlet next to Victoria International Airport. It will then be preserved in the museum in North Saanich, a short drive from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.

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