One final mission awaits a legendary aircraft, famed in B.C. for its ability to battle wildfires. (Dreamstime)

By Alex Rawnsley

one more mission

Legendary Hawaii Mars preparing for final flight over Nanaimo & Oceanside

Aug 7, 2024 | 12:15 PM

NANAIMO — One of the most iconic planes in B.C. firefighting history is days away from flying its final mission.

Coulson Aviation’s Hawaii Mars water bomber will make its trek from its home base in Port Alberni to its new home at the B.C. Aviation Museum on Sunday, Aug. 11, with the trip also serving as a final flyover across many Island communities.

While a set route and flight times have not yet been made public, the plane is expected to fly from Port Alberni to Campbell River, then over Powell River, and back down eastern Vancouver Island, with sightings in the Nanaimo and Oceanside area in the late afternoon.

The plane will be accompanied by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and is expected to arrive at the Museum near Victoria between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

“We are proud to see the Hawaii Mars make its final journey to the British Columbia Aviation Museum,” Coulson Aviation said in a statement. “Our dedicated team has been working tirelessly to prepare the aircraft for this significant moment. The enthusiastic response from both the local and aviation communities has been incredible.”

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Major Brent Handy of the Snowbirds said their pilots and crew are proud to escort the Mars on one final flight down Vancouver Island.

He added it’s as much a tribute to the aircraft as it is to firefighters province-wide.

“The Snowbirds salute the brave firefighters, in the air and on the ground, that work to protect our country from wildfires and we are excited to see this piece of aviation history be preserved and on display to honour and inspire aviators past, present and future.”

The flight can be tracked via FlightRadar24, with more details on the route to follow from Coulson Aviation and the B.C. Aviation Museum.

Running four engines with 10,000 horsepower, the Hawaii Mars has been undergoing final checks for several weeks and flew for the first time since 2016 over the August long weekend.

It’s capable of dropping more than 25,000 litres of water on each bombing run and is the largest water bomber in the world with a 200-foot wingspan.

After delivery to the Museum, the plane will eventually be on open display with visitors able to tour the inside of the aircraft at the North Saanich site.

A grand opening is planned for Sept. 28.

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