The Martin Mars is coming to nothern Alberta

[CLguy]

Big Pistons I couldn't agree more. It is the end of an era and a sad end at that, but the time has come. The Mars never scoops 27,000 ltrs (6,000 gal) anymore as the load has been reduced to about 20,000 lts (4,500 gal).

All Sides it certainly isn't sour grapes, but fact. In Kelowna it was the Mars Captain at the time who was keeping track and every day they worked with a 415, at the end of the day the 415 had delivered more water than the Mars. Believe me it doesn't take 4 415's to equal 1 Mars.

I feel sorry for the poor local fuel guy who will end up holding the bag for thousands of liters of unburned avgas that will be ordered to support the aircraft. It will get released, head back west and he will be there praying for a fleet of 172's to drop in for some fuel.

[All Sides]

Well before we retire the old girl, lets first have a few facts.

The last I checked Coulson had a few of their own fuel trucks and equipment to do all their own fueling requirements, maybe it didn't get to Gregoire Lake yet? So don't think the local fuel operator should loose too much sleep.

Does a CL 415 carry a full load of foam/water (13500 lbs.) with full fuel with a density altitude of 4000 ft., that is what Kelowna would be at 1400 ft @ 36 C as quoted by BPF? Unless the 415 has special powers, I can't think of many aircraft that can carry a full pull of water till fuel is burned off.

What is the endurance of the CL 415 on a normal mission? I believe the MARS is in the neighborhood of 8 hours. Point being, that the MARS can stay on station bombing while the ducks have to go for a re-fuel.

I don't claim to be an expert on either A/C, I have no doubt that this thread isn't over yet. But there still is a lot of forest services that still seem interested in the MARS. Just to make one thing clear, I think the 415's certainly are an effective fire-fighting aircraft, but that doesn't necessarily eliminate the MARS effectiveness.

Will be interested to see what the operators have to say.

[flyinhigh]

Who cares, she's a beeeut.

I flew over her today on decent into YMM and all I can say is Wow.

[sigmet77]

I agree, who gives a crap for the term given to it, in the end it is a sweet flying machine. And Cat, fire needs 4 things: fuel, temperature, oxygen and a chemical chain reaction. They replaced the fire triangle with the fire tetrahedron years ago. See you can teach an old dog new tricks, haha.

[Cat Driver]

Awesome sigmet, now I understand what I was doing all those years ago, I was slowing down the chain reaction thing.

[wingit]

Before the Mars is hired for a job the local authority plan which lake etc they are going to use. If the nearest lake is simply to far in comparison to the closest airport then Coulson would not get the call. The Mars are still an important part of fighting forest fires. Coulson has had them in California and Mexico lately as well. If any of you are on Vancouver Island I recomment travelling to Sproat Lake in Port Alberni to check these aircraft out up close.

[Darkwing Duck]

I agree, who gives a crap for the term given to it, in the end it is a sweet flying machine. And Cat, fire needs 4 things: fuel, temperature, oxygen and a chemical chain reaction. They replaced the fire triangle with the fire tetrahedron years ago. See you can teach an old dog new tricks, haha.

Isn't that teach an Old Cat new tricks?

[iflyforpie]

I agree, who gives a crap for the term given to it, in the end it is a sweet flying machine. And Cat, fire needs 4 things: fuel, temperature, oxygen and a chemical chain reaction. They replaced the fire triangle with the fire tetrahedron years ago. See you can teach an old dog new tricks, haha.

I'll see your fire tetrahedron and raise you a fire ball.

[nutbutter]

The mars is pure rad, and that's all that matters! Its simply 4 times the awesome of a 415, who cares how much it drops? That airplane is a beauty
This thread needs more pics:





This thing is like a porn star with wings, and the only reason anyone would hate on this airplane is b/c they suck @life.

[nutbutter]

Anyone know why they haven't converted the big girls to Turbines? Has it ever been considered? Too expensive? Those are some lucky guys that get to fly her

[culver10]

Why is the Evergreen 747 not being used??

[The Mole]

Rumour has it a DC-10 is on the way.

[SierraPoppa]

.

[wee_in_yyc]

The DC10 (N450AX) is on the way to YEG then to YOD.

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N450AX

[swordfish]

If anyone runs into a little preppie called Devery Salkeld (ex Cathay Pacific) driving the Mars, be sure to say hello to him! He's an experienced and accomplished pilot with flying roots in the NWT, and will surely make that puppy work its ass off on the Alberta fires.

Tell him Donald says hello, and needs his email address too, please!

[RFN]

nutbutter:

Thankyou for posting the pics; there is no earthly reason why we should have to read 2 pages of comments to get to the pics of this great bird.

[looproll]

here she is near Fort McMurray

Gregoire Lake June 4th:

[The Mole]

DC-10 laying retardent today.

[flyinhigh]

Where is the 10 flying outta, YMM I would imagine

Secondly, the 10 would need one huge support crew. Loading retardent, etc. Did they send a crew up early with trucks of retardent or what?

Yes I have no idea what retardent is so that is why I am asking.

[nutbutter]

nutbutter:

Thankyou for posting the pics; there is no earthly reason why we should have to read 2 pages of comments to get to the pics of this great bird.

thanks and seconded. I still can't believe anyone would hate on this thing, it's one of the coolest airplanes flying, who cares how efficient it is?