I first became aware of the plane in 1980 as a 14-year-old teenager growing up in Kitimat. My older brother had been working construction in Port Alberni at that time and brought back photos. I have long enjoyed following the working career of the Mars.
I look forward to knowing that her next chapter is a mere five minutes away from where I now live in Saanichton.
— Greg Neufeldt
In the late 90s we sometimes got to cruise in the wake of the water bombers in our boat after they landed in Sproat Lake. This was thrilling as they were SO huge and it was our way of welcoming them back after a hard days work. We loved that the two enormous planes were always anchored there in the lake for all to see and their presence made people feel a little safer.
We have since re-located to Savary Island so it was wonderful for us to see this moment in history and cheer them on once again.
— Liz Verwoord
I met the wife of one of the captains as I walked over, she was so glad that he got to fly it again; that the honour went to people who worked on the plane during its career. “He’s the tall one” she said, as though I would catch a glimpse of the crew. What a treat to be in such a happy crowd, hearing all the stories.
— Jen Wright
I’ve known about these aircraft for decades but never actually saw in action until today, end of an era.
— Kerry Campbell
I wanted to see the last flight as I had fond memories of Mars in action fighting a wildfire at Skutz Falls in 2015. At that time, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I was traveling on Youbou Road and looked up to see this giant in the sky directly above me. Not being a resident of B.C. for long and not knowing what on earth it could be, I thought we must be under some kind of invasion! So of course I followed it to its destination and witnessed its magnificent performance. I will never forget that day or today!
— Derrice Knight
Was first introduced to the zest and passion for aviation when I moved to Victoria from Pincher Creek, Alberta, with my two small children. Little did I know that the B.C. Aviation Museum, Coulson Aviation, the Abbotsford-Vancouver Island Airshow, my kids and my jobs would intersect over the years starting in 1994.
My job in publishing gave me the unique opportunity to create the air show sponsor program years ago. I was offered the chance to bring my children, their nanny and her husband to Abbotsford to get a bird’s eye view of what I would be doing for the island air show the following years.
Then my sister and her husband were driving to Arlington Airport for the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) and invited my family and friends to join them to camp on the grounds near the runways. My sister bought me a birthday flight in a 1937 Lancaster Bomber training plane where I actually got to do a “loopty-doll” over the ocean and scared myself silly!
My Martin Mars experiences overlap with the Canso water bomber at the B.C. Aviation Museum because my dad was a meteorologist. So what does that have to do with this story? I’ve been around planes my whole life and every time I’ve see the Martin Mars I break out into tears knowing that my dad is somewhere in a radio room in the universe giving co-ordinates to so many aircraft from the past serving our country.
— Lorraine Pawlivsky-Love
I have fond memories of seeing the planes berthed on Sproat lake while travelling up to Tofino. It was very cool to see one in the air for one last victory lap.
— Adam Gerry
We used to water ski up Sproat Lake. We used to water ski right beneath them. We could drive the boat right underneath them, right underneath the wings. It’s always exciting to watch them fly.
— Jim Lynch
The event was a surprise to us and we were delighted to see the beautiful, heroic plane and to learn about it from locals.
Very grateful to the firefighters and all technology that helps battle the blazes.
— Jessica Boesel
An aviation icon passes into the history books. Thanks to Coulson Aviation for letting us all share in the special occasion.
— Alex Rueben
