Interior Tour of the Martin JRM-3 'Philippine Mars' Flying Boat

Comments · 87

• GE

  @Gerhardium · 10 months ago

  My dad was a forester and when I was a kid one of the most anticipated days I remember was flying out to Sproat Lake in a Beaver and getting a tour of the different planes: the highlight was the Mars. I don't know which one it was, but the pilot sat me in his seat and went through the controls and dials with me like I was going to be flying it with him.

  26

• WA

  @WAL_DC-6B · 10 months ago (edited)

  I'm glad to see this huge former U.S. Navy flying boat is preserved at the Pima Air & Space Museum versus the Museum of U.S. Naval Aviation at Pensacola, FL. There's much less of a chance of a huge windstorm like a hurricane in AZ versus FL that could seriously damage or destroy this famous aircraft. Thanks for the extensive tour of the Martin JRM-3 "Philippine, Mars and sharing! Also, a big thanks to all those who disassembled, transported and reassembled the airplane for display and lastly, those in British Columbia, Canada who made this all possible through their kind generosity.

  23

• ST

  @stevekovacs6250 · 1 month ago

  My Father did a stint on the Hawaii Mars as their flight engineer during his Naval career while in Hawaii. Our family flew in the Hawaii including me at 18 months old to Alameda Naval Air Station in 1954.

  8

• IC

  @Ichiban7 · 10 months ago

  Cool to actually see you on Camera. As always great information. You have done Pima Air and Space Museum a solid with your reporting and videos.

  13

• RE

  @rEdf196 · 10 months ago

  I witnessed hundreds of hours of flyovers,  landings,  takeoffs, practice  waterdrops  and occasional viewing of Philippine Mars  fighting nearby forest fires alongside Hawaii Mars.  These Mars planes, and its unique roaring sound of their four R-3350 engines  were a normal part part of my entire life living on Sproat Lake,  That is,  until last February 2025   when ol Philippine Mars, the last remaining Mars aircraft at the lake,  left my area for the very last time.  What an incredible experience to see these rare birds in action for all these decades.

  9

• FR

  @frankieday-v6g · 2 months ago

  In 1954 my pregnant mother and flew onboard the Hawaii Mars from Alameda naval airstation to Honolulu Hawaii I was 10 years old then My father was stationed at Pearl Harbor He sent for his family It took 14 hours to fly It was one of the greatest adventures in my life fly aboard this behemoth.

  2

• RO

  @ronwilson2888 · 1 month ago

  What an excellent job of playing guide, teacher and historian for this remarkable airplane. Fascinating tour. Thanks.

  5

• JO

  @joetheaviatorfan · 10 months ago (edited)

  Amazing video, I love watching your ‘Alright, Gang’ introductions on all your vids!

  8

• AD

  @Adi_the_foxgirl · 5 months ago

  There is the Hawaiian Mars, Philippine Mars and there was also the Marianas Mars that was lost during firefighting action decades ago June 23 1961 (CF-LYJ)

  3

• SC

  @scopex2749 · 2 months ago

  I am a veteran RAF aircraft engineer and I have ALWAYS loved aircraft (hence why I became a lifelong engineer) but my favourites are the FLYING BOATS. I wanted to buy a derelict Catalina many years ago to restore and fly sadly someone beat me to it. I wanted to fly in one of the Mars aircraft sadly the Coulson tanker has now been retired so im too late. This has been absolutely fascinating and I think i would need a map to find my way around one of those beautiful aircraft. It is so sad that with the forest fires in USA that they have retired these - they were THE BEST water bombers in the world and have not been replaced. The 747 and DC10 are around but take too long to tank up at an airport and then get airborne again leaving the fires to spread. I would love to get over to see this aircraft unfortunately I am now getting old and short of money so doubt it will ever happen.  One comment I heard about another old aircraft ( I forget which) that had to have er engines topped up with oil IN FLIGHT! An unfortunate mechanic would climb our inside the wing and fill each engine in turn - what the noise must have been like I cannot imagine! I prefer to see aircraft KEPT airworthy and flown (as in confederate air force) I guess the Mars wont get that chance? Very sad.  Thanks for the detailed tour.🏆🎖🏅

  3

• GR

  @grahamkearnon6682 · 2 months ago

  BC, Canada here. We loved these water bombers, painted red they were quite the scene, scooping up from lakes. They were based on Sproat lake on Vancouver Is. Ultimately, the safety gods ruled they could scoop just 7 lakes which meant the turn around time was to long plus the Canadaire machines could scoop from most lakes, so much faster, more water. We miss them.

  7

• IC

  @Ichiban7 · 10 months ago

  Dang, just watched the full video. That was quite a tour! Like the idea of the book too. Thanks for all your heart and hard work on this endeavour of keeping the world up to date on where things are with the Martin Mars.

  6