After more than a dozen years stored near Port Alberni, British Columbia, the legendary Philippine Mars water bomber is gearing up for a historic flight to its new home at the Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. Following months of restoration work, including an 8,000-hour overhaul and the transfer of propellers from the Hawaii Mars, the massive aircraft is set to take to the skies.
The flight is expected to depart the week of Nov. 18, weather permitting, with Coulson Aviation’s Wayne Coulson confirming that live flight details will be shared on their Facebook page. The journey will take the plane on a special route, passing the B.C. Aviation Museum’s Hawaii Mars in Sidney, British Columbia—the only other surviving Martin JRM Mars.
Before reaching its final destination in Tucson, the Philippine Mars will make a highly anticipated stop in San Francisco. For one night, the plane will be parked along the waterfront, offering the public a rare chance to see the iconic 120-foot-long bomber up close. After San Francisco, the plane will head to San Diego before completing its journey to the museum.