MartinMars.com
Title
Flying Tankers inc. - the largest flying boats ever flown operationally
Description
During World War II, the Glenn L. Martin company developed two flying boats, the "Mariner" and the giant "Mars", and after the war the company would develop the last large flying boat in US service, the "Marlin".
Flying Tankers Inc. was formed in 1959 by a consortium of forest companies after experiencing several catastrophic fire seasons. The new company then purchased the remaining four of the world's only fleet of mighty Martin Mars aircraft from the US Navy.
Originally, the Martin Mars flying boats were produced for the US Navy and were used as troop and cargo transports among the islands of the Pacific. Firefighting certainly wasn't what the aircraft's manufacturer, Glenn L. Martin had in mind..... however, all four aircraft, the Marianas, Philippine, Hawaii and Caroline Mars were ferried to British Columbia where three were fitted with 7,200 gallon (27,276 litres) water tanks and converted to waterbombers!
Contact
Administrative:
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- Nanaimo BC
- CA V9S 4N4
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Registrant:
- Forest Industries Flying Tankers Ltd.
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- Port Alberni BRITISH COLUMBIA
- CA V9Y 7L7
