Meet the Forgotten Giant: The Martin Mars—From Secret WWII Bomber to Record-Breaking Firefighter and Aviation Legend

In the sprawling pantheon of aviation history, certain aircraft achieve icon status—radical warplanes like the Spitfire or unyielding workhorses like the DC-3. Yet, a handful loom so large, both in size and in the scale of their accomplishment, that they seem almost mythical. Chief among these unsung giants is the Martin JRM Mars: the largest Allied flying boat of the Second World War. Originally conceived as a secret military bomber, this rare aircraft underwent a dramatic transformation after the war ended, becoming a record-breaking aerial firefighter and captivating the world with feats both daring and lifesaving.

Often overshadowed by flashier fighters and bombers, the Martin Mars’ astonishing saga bridges two worlds—the global conflict of WWII and the ceaseless battle against nature’s wildfires. Its story is one of secret beginnings, pioneering engineering, and jaw-dropping endurance. Decades after its debut, it remains one of aviation’s most compelling survival stories.

Conception in Secrecy: The Mars as a Military Heavyweight

In the early 1940s, with the world at war and the Pacific theater demanding ever-greater resources, the U.S. Navy sought a maritime leviathan. Their aim: a flying boat capable of carrying massive payloads over the vast ocean expanses to resupply remote bases and, if necessary, act as a long-range patrol bomber. The Glenn L. Martin Company—the same visionary firm behind the famous Martin B-26 Marauder bomber—answered the call.

Their result was the XPB2M-1 Mars, a four-engined behemoth that, when it first flew in 1942, instantly claimed the title of the world’s largest operational flying boat. Measuring 117 feet in wingspan and over 38 feet high, with a hull length of nearly 120 feet, the Mars dwarfed many of its contemporaries. Empty, it weighed 80,000 pounds. Fully loaded for war, it tipped the scales at over 148,000 pounds.

Though first conceived as a bomber, the Mars was quickly refocused for transport and logistics. As the war revealed more pressing needs for cargo and troop transport between the American mainland and Pacific island outposts, its cavernous hull became priceless. With the ability to haul 133 troops or 34,000 pounds of cargo at a time—twice the load of most rivals—the Mars routinely moved men and materiel across distances conventional planes simply couldn’t match. Only seven were ever built, adding to their mystique.

Survival Through Transformation: From Warbird to Water Bomber

With the end of WWII in 1945 and the dawn of the jet age, there seemed little place for giant propeller-driven seaplanes. Many flying boats were scrapped or faded into obscurity, but the Mars story was far from over. The U.S. Navy continued using the Mars as a transport aircraft for several years, but by the late 1950s, the last of the fleet faced retirement—and possibly the scrapyard.

Instead, in a remarkable twist of fate, the Martin Mars found a new home in the wild landscapes of British Columbia, Canada. Logging companies, faced with devastating forest fires in remote and inaccessible regions, saw the flying boat’s unique potential as a supersized firefighter. Four surviving Mars aircraft were purchased and transformed into aerial water bombers.

Engineers outfitted the new “super scoopers” with gigantic water tanks and ingenious scooping systems, allowing them to skim lakes and rivers and fill up with up to 30 tons (over 7,000 gallons) of water in a matter of seconds. Deployed to battle massive conflagrations, the Mars could blanket vast swathes of burning forest with a single pass, saving countless acres and entire communities.

Record-Breaking Legacy: The World’s Most Powerful Water Scooper

The firefighting Mars planes quickly rewrote the record books. They became the world’s largest and most powerful water bombers—capable of dropping more water, from a lower altitude, and over a wider area than any other aircraft. Flying at speeds up to 190 mph, they carried “payloads” in a single drop that would take a modern firefighting helicopter nearly 20 trips to match.

Their endurance was legendary. For decades, the Hawaii Mars and Philippine Mars—two of the last remaining flying boats—served on the Canadian west coast. Their enormous red-and-white hulls became icons of hope each fire season, swooping over smoke-shrouded mountains and lakes to battle blazes in British Columbia and even the United States.

Their powerful presence captured the public’s imagination. Often featured in news reports and documentaries, the Mars water bombers were the subject of aviation documentaries and fire management studies alike. The roar of their four engines, the spectacle of their massive water drops, and their miraculous survival through decades of service made them legends of the sky.

Near Misses and Unbelievable Survival

Like all giants, the Martin Mars faced its share of peril and near-misses. In 2009, the Hawaii Mars made headlines worldwide after an emergency water landing on Vancouver Island left her damaged but repairable. Generations of pilots learned the intricate challenges of flying such a massive, historic aircraft through wind, smoke, and water—no easy feat given the Mars’ size and sometimes temperamental engines.

Throughout their operational lives, the surviving Mars aircraft endured everything from engine fires to water mishaps. Yet, against all odds, they continued to fly—testaments to both their robust construction and the dedication of mechanics and flight crews who restored and maintained them with near-devotional care.

The Final Chapter: Farewell to a Flying Legend

As newer and more efficient firefighting aircraft emerged—like the modern amphibious “water bomber” Canadair CL-415—the Mars’ operational role gradually faded. Yet, their legacy lives on. The Hawaii Mars, particularly, earned worldwide fame with appearances at international airshows and heritage events, delighting crowds with displays of its vast wingspan and colossal water drops.

In 2016, the Mars made its “farewell tour,” likely closing the curtain on the active life of this extraordinary machine. Today, efforts by enthusiasts, museums, and history buffs work to preserve the last remaining Mars for future generations—hoping to keep alive the memory of a once-secret warplane that became a peacetime hero.

Conclusion: The Mars’ Legacy in Aviation and Firefighting

The Martin Mars story is unique among warbirds—its wings carried it from the battle-torn Pacific to the heart of burning forests, from military secrecy to international celebrity. A colossal flying boat that saved lives long after its original mission ended, it stands as a towering symbol of human ingenuity, adaptability, and endurance. While the Mars may be “forgotten” by some, among aviators, firefighters, and fans, it remains forever a giant—an aircraft whose survival story and staggering water-scooping feats captivated the world for generations.