The Martin Mars: The Biggest Cargo Planes of World War II
First taking flight in 1942, the Martin Mars was a four-engined, amphibious transport aircraft developed for the U.S. Navy. Initially developed as a proposed long-range patrol aircraft, the Mars design was reworked into a cargo aircraft, and originally, the Navy placed an order for 20 aircraft.
But only seven airframes would be delivered before the war came to an end, with one being lost in an accident in Chesapeake Bay, while another would be lost due to an engine fire in Hawaii. Still, the remaining aircraft entered service in 1943 and were used to transport both cargo and personnel from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii. Even after the war ended, the Mars continued to haul cargo between Hawaii and California until they were retired in 1956, and originally, they were to be scrapped.
Post-War Service and Conversion
But in 1959, the remaining four aircraft were acquired by Forest Industries Flying Tankers (FIFT), a Canadian company that wanted to convert the Mars into water bombers. Unfortunately, one of the aircraft would be lost with all hands when it crashed during firefighting operations in June of 1961. The following year, another Mars would be lost when it was blown 200 yards and damaged beyond repair during a typhoon.
Legacy and Retirement
Still, the remaining two aircraft continued to serve as water bombers in Canada, occasionally making appearances at local airshows and demonstrating their water-dropping ability. But eventually, time finally caught up with the Mars, and both aircraft were eventually retired by 2016. ~NC
