Mighty Martin Mars Great show and drop. Coulsons Open House

The Mars flying boats are quite impresive but the maintenance cost must be huge!!. I wonder sometimes why we haven't upgraded our large water drop aircraft to jet powered aircraft such as the Beriev BE-200 built by the russians as a multi-role, amphibious firefighting aircraft. Bit smaller than the Mars, same capabilities but it may be more cost-affective to fight forest fires in Canada and the States.

not really, the plane itself and those jet engines require more attention than these piston motors. plus jet engines suck more feul up.

The U.S. and Canada also use bombardier "super scoopers" along with the Evergreen International 747. The BE-200 doesn't conform to U.S. drop requirements and isn't used in the U.S.

I wonder what it would take to get the BE-200 certified to opertate in the US and Canada?

It would take FAA certification, USFS approval along with meeting the Interagency Airtanker Board's Procedures and Criteria, and the most important element, Money. Most fire fighting aircraft in the U.S. didn't start life as such, they where bought as surplus and converted since it is cheaper. The Mars where navy cargo planes that where converted. It is rumored however that Hawkins & Powers (a U.S. company) might buy 8 of them.

I'm sure glad they didn't scrap those.
Largest airworthy flying boats.
I believe they removed the turbo superchargers to prolong engine life.

Massive yet graceful, a great old lady. What a great privilege it would be to fly her. Thanks!

at 1:45 my dad in the plane he works at Coulsen :D

Great videocoverage...Wish I could hear and see that plane...Keep on posting vids, I´ve already added you as an favorite.

yeah i will never forget the first time a mars flew over my house. loudest thing ive ever heard