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San Diego Fire: Martin Mars firebomber on its way!

from SignonSanDiego:

"A Martin Mars waterbomber is expected to arrive in San Diego County this afternoon to help fight the area's wildfires. The plane, which is based in Canada, is capable of dropping 7,200 gallons of water in a single drop, enough to drench three acres.

The plane also can drop a gel that can coat structures in the path of fires, said San Diego Fire Chief Tracy Jarman."

Dig it baby!

Here's their website. Welcome home old girl...


UPDATE: "Coulson's Jim Messer said a crew to fuel and service the plane left Vancouver Island in two tractor-trailers Monday evening while another crew worked Tuesday to take the aircraft from partial winter storage to full operational status.

"It looks like we'll fly early (Wednesday) morning, say seven o'clock we'd depart British Columbia, and about 1 p.m. we'd be over San Diego," said Messer. "We'll have four hours of fuel available and we'll go straight to work."


From Canadian Press.

Posted @ October 24, 2007 07:53 AM | Aviation

Comments

The Martin Mars is an incredible machine. The company that owns the 2 water bombers has promised that when they are finally retired, one will be flown and donated to the US for the museum in Maryland (where they were built). The other will remain on display in Canada at their museum. The folks in California were suprised, the owners keep the American Flag painted on the plane in it's original place on the plane from WW2 out of respect for America and the US Navy. Pretty thoughtfull & pretty cool.

Posted by: Andy at October 28, 2007 10:22 AM

The Martin Mars are the pride of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island where they have resided for more than 40 years. Even though I have see these beautiful aircraft fly numerous times, I still at 50 years old rush to the window like a little kid just to catch a glimpes of these incredible crafts as they pass over head.

Posted by: Doug at October 28, 2007 07:59 PM

I have lived in Port Alberni, BC, the home of the Martin Mars Water Bombers, for over 43 years. My house is directly in their most frequently used flight path. Whenever I hear them coming, I stop what I am doing and rush outside to gaze in awe. I don't think one ever outgrows the sense of wonder and amazement that something so large and slow is yet so graceful and can
stay airborne! As the Hawaii Mars left home for San Diego, I watched until it disappeared over the mountains -- and said a silent prayer for it's safe return and for the people who so desperately need it's help. Vaya con Dios.

Posted by: Nancy at November 2, 2007 09:53 PM