The iconic 1945 Martin JRM-3 Mars has been listed for sale for $5 million.
Image Credit: Platinum Fighter Sales
January 16, 2022 - 1:53 PM
A Second World War-era plane known for its wildfire fighting abilities is up for sale for $5 million.
The iconic Martin Mars has been listed for sale, according to Platinum Fighter Sales, a warbird and class aircraft sales broker.
READ MORE: B.C. adds iconic Hawaii Mars flying tanker to wildfire-fighting arsenal
The largest Allied flying boat ever manufactured is currently located at Sproat Lake, Port Alberni. It is owned by Coulson Group of Companies.
The listing for the 1945 Martin JRM-3 Mars said it was last inspected in 2016 and can carry 60,000 pounds of foam or water.
The Martin JRM Mars was first conceived in 1941 as a patrol bomber, intended to scale up the already existing Martin PBM Mariner.
The prototype, designated as XPB2M-1R, went into a test phase in November 1941 and first flew in June 1942. Being the largest flying boat ever to enter Allied service during the Second World War, it was soon assigned the role of a transport aircraft instead, according to the listing.
It was later designed to carry water and helped fight wildfires before it was retired in 2015.
“Today, Hawaii Mars II remains the only airworthy example of its type in the world. The opportunity to purchase and preserve a unique part of aviation history is now available for the discerning buyer, or donor,” according to the listing.
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