Comments on: Philippine Mars takes flight over Sproat Lake, B.C.  https://skiesmag.com/news/philippine-mars-takes-flight-over-sproat-lake-b-c/ Aviation, Aerospace and Aircraft News Magazine Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:39:01 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 By: George R. Kircher, ADCS USN Ret. https://skiesmag.com/news/philippine-mars-takes-flight-over-sproat-lake-b-c/#comment-376932 Wed, 11 Dec 2024 18:39:01 +0000 https://skiesmag.com/?post_type=news&p=360074#comment-376932 Worked on these Aircraft while serving in the Navy at NAS North Island, San Diego, CA with VR5. They would pass through here and pickup passengers on their way to Hawaii. This was in 1955 – 1956. Biggest airplane I ever saw and wondered how it ever got in the air.

]]> By: JV https://skiesmag.com/news/philippine-mars-takes-flight-over-sproat-lake-b-c/#comment-376817 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 18:46:24 +0000 https://skiesmag.com/?post_type=news&p=360074#comment-376817 In reply to Richard Ireland.

Ridiculous rightwing BS trolling. The Mars outlived their usefulness and the economics of using turbine and jet water bombers cost far less than using a maintenance hungry, spares limited 80 year old aircraft. But you do your Trumpy crap if it makes you feel better.

]]> By: Richard Ireland https://skiesmag.com/news/philippine-mars-takes-flight-over-sproat-lake-b-c/#comment-376267 Fri, 06 Dec 2024 02:09:30 +0000 https://skiesmag.com/?post_type=news&p=360074#comment-376267 Errrmmm I don’t recall ANYONE saying it would never fly again. I liken this retirement to a political decapatation. You may recall the Princess Marguerite. Dave Barrett sent that ship to the breakers with one swipe of the pen. Even though keeping her running on that route for certain meant massive tourism benefits for BC. Americans wanted her to stay as well as Canadian tourists but no sir not the NDP. Mars water bombers were an incomparable asset to BC Tourism, Environmental, and Forestry business. At the time Princess Marguerite was axed due to ICBC debt balances. History repeats itself. Mars AirTankers were axed because of ICBC, BC Hydro, Health BC, BC Ferries (to name a few) debt servicing. The problem with Socialism is what to do when you’ve finished spending other people’s money. (Margaret Thatcher deceased UK Prime Minister)

]]> By: John Hutchins https://skiesmag.com/news/philippine-mars-takes-flight-over-sproat-lake-b-c/#comment-376150 Thu, 05 Dec 2024 04:45:49 +0000 https://skiesmag.com/?post_type=news&p=360074#comment-376150 Went up to Sidney to see the Hawaii Mars in November. What a beautiful plane. Sorry she’s never going to fly again. Thank you for saving them.

]]>