You can buy the world's second largest flying boat!

When I was a teenager a number of these Martin Mars airplanes were languishing on the property of the Victoria airport in my home town of Victoria, British Columbia.  I recall there were about 5 or so of them.  I'm not sure when they first arrived there but they were all in mothballs it seemed and were painted dull grey.  Whenever I passed by,  looking at these once proud, massive planes made me feel kind of sad.  Then one day I noticed that they had begun to be painted the comparatively striking colors of 2-tone red-orange and white.  I then discovered that they had been resurrected as water bombers for forest fire suppression.  They carried on in this capacity for many years and I believe they are still in demand, but to a lesser degree due to current fire fighting suppression techniques changing.  I'm not sure how many are still serviceable but I think one crashed many years ago and perhaps one is used as a parts supplier to maintain the others.

Incredibly beautiful and useful aircraft….

Interesting article. I have seen the Martin Mars flying (years ago in British Columbia) and It was included in an episode of a TV program on aviation several years ago. Sorry to see it just sitting, given all the wildfires last year. Thanks JK.

Beautiful aircraft. Thanks for the video JK.