The Martin Mars water bomber, the largest airplane of its kind and the last in its line, will make its first-ever appearance at EAA AirVenture in July, EAA has announced. The bomber will be based at the EAA Seaplane Base, on Lake Winnebago. With a wingspan of about 200 feet, and measuring 120 feet nose to tail, the massive airplane is one of only six that were built. “There aren’t many airplanes that have never been to Oshkosh, but this is one of them,” said EAA’s Rick Larsen. “Among flying boats, only the legendary Spruce Goose is bigger, but the Martin Mars is the largest ever to be operational on a regular basis.”
The Martin Mars was originally built as a long-range U.S. Navy troop and freight transport for use in the Pacific, and first flew in 1942. After the war, the airplanes were converted to water bombers. Each bomber can carry 7,200 gallons of water, enough to cover four acres of land in a single pass. “This is the last flying Mars in the world and the largest warbird ever built,” said Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Flying Tankers. “We’re very excited to bring the Hawaii Mars to Oshkosh.” Until recently, Coulson operated two tankers in Canada fighting fires, but over the last few years he has been seeking new clients or new homes for the airplanes.
