A Martin JRM Mars Named “Philippine Mars”

In the 1930s, giant flying boats dominated the skies. At that time, there were not many airports equipped with long landing strips, and flying boats could land on almost any body of water. Notable examples of these magnificent aircraft include the Boeing 314 Clipper, the Saunders Roe, the Martin JRM Mars, and the famous Spruce Goose, also known as the Hughes H-4 Hercules. However, these flying boats declined in popularity as land-based airports began to proliferate, featuring long runways designed for larger planes. As a result, flying boats gradually disappeared from the aviation scene. Despite this decline, a few can still be seen today, including the two Martin JRM Mars flying boats: the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars.

The Philippine Mars, one of the last two remaining Martin JRM Mars flying boats, has officially found a permanent home, or in other words, been retired. Coulson Aviation confirmed that the aircraft will be housed at the Pima Air and Space Museum (PASM) in Tucson, Arizona. This announcement follows the British Columbia Aviation Museum’s earlier acquisition of its sister aircraft, the Hawaii Mars. With this move, both aircraft, including the Philippine Mars, will be preserved at respected institutions, marking the end of their long service in military and firefighting operations. The legacy of the Philippine Mars will continue to inspire aviation enthusiasts and historians alike.

A Historic Aircraft with a Military Past

However, it is nice to look back at the two remaining Martin JRM Mars, particularly the Philippine Mars. Produced between 1942 and 1947, the Martin JRM Mars fleet played an important role in military logistics. The U.S. Navy used these massive flying boats to transport cargo between Hawaii and the Pacific Islands during World War II. After the war, they served as medical air transport aircraft during the Korean War, carrying wounded personnel between Hawaii and California. The fleet later transitioned to cargo transport before being decommissioned in 1956.

Each aircraft received a unique name, reflecting their connection to maritime tradition. The prototype was named The Old Lady, while the production aircraft were named Hawaii Mars, Philippine Mars, Marianas Mars, Marshall Mars, Hawaii Mars II (which replaced the destroyed original Hawaii Mars), and Caroline Mars. The Philippine Mars remained in service for many years before being retired.

A Second Life as a Firefighting Aircraft

In 1958, timber companies in British Columbia acquired four of the retired Mars aircraft and converted them into the world’s largest waterbombers. These planes could carry up to 7,200 gallons of water per drop, making them highly effective in fighting wildfires. In 2007, Coulson Aviation purchased the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars, launching its fixed-wing air tanker operations.

While the Hawaii Mars retained its red and white firefighting livery, the Philippine Mars was repainted in period-correct U.S. Air Force colors in 2016, in preparation for its move to a U.S. aviation museum. The aircraft conducted a farewell flight over Vancouver Island’s Alberni Valley before departing for its final journey south. It made a stop in San Francisco before arriving at PASM, where it will be preserved for future generations.

The Philippine Mars has completed its journey from military service to firefighting operations and now to its final home at the Pima Air and Space Museum. As one of the last two surviving Martin JRM Mars aircraft, it remains an important part of aviation history.

I wish I had been able to witness the retirement flight of these historic planes. Both the Hawaii Mars and the Philippine Mars are likely the last original giant flying boats, and now they have been retired from service. My only question is whether the Philippine Mars is truly named after the country, the Philippines. Honestly, I can’t think of any other explanation for its name.