78 Years Old Martin JRM Mars Retires To Museum | Aviation

One of the only two surviving Martin JRM Mars flying boats was finally retired after 78 years of service, flying to its new home at the British Columbia Aviation Museum.

“Hawaii Mars II”, one of the only two remaining Martin JRM Mars flying boats of World War II-fame, finally retired to a museum on Aug. 11, 2024, after well over 78 years of service. The aircraft has been used for years for firefighting missions in British Columbia, Canada, until 2015.

The final flight to the British Columbia Aviation Museum of Sidney, on Vancouver Island, included a spectacular fly-by of the flying boat, escorted by 9 CT-114 Tutors jet trainers of the Snowbirds, officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the military aerobatics flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

After landing in the bay, on Aug. 14, 2024, the Hawaii Mars will be slowly winched up a Coast Guard ramp for the de-watering process, before being moved to the museum between Aug. 19 and 23. There it will become a closed display while final preparations are carried on, until the official opening scheduled for Sep. 28, when visitors will be finally allowed to explore the inside the aircraft.

The Hawaii #MartinMars has made it to Greater Victoria! CHEK News video captured around 6:15 p.m….