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On 23 August 1938 the US Navy ordered from Martin a single prototype of the Martin 170 design for a patrol bomber of flying-boat configuration. Designated XPB2M-1, it was the world's largest flying-boat when flown for the first time on 3 July 1942, but by then the United States had become involved in World War II and it was decided not to proceed with procurement of the type as a patrol bomber. Instead, the boat was modified for use in a transport role, becoming re-designated XPB2M-1R and entering service in December 1943. It remains the largest flying-boat to have been operated by the US Navy and an early demonstration of its capability came in 1944, when a 9299kg cargo was delivered to Hawaii in a 7564km round trip completed in only 27 hours 36 minutes, resulting in a US Navy order for a production version under the designation JRM-1 Mars. This covered 20 aircraft to be completed specially for the transport role, but the end of World War II brought contract cancellations and only five were built, plus a single JRM-2 for operation at a higher gross weight. When the five JRM-1s were later modified to this latter standard they became redesignated JRM-3. These 60.96m span aircraft were powered by four 1715kW Wright R-3350-8 engines, and an appreciation of their capacity can be gained from the fact that on 19 May one of them, Marshall Mars, carried a total of 301 passengers, plus its crew of seven.
| CREW | 7 |
| PASSENGERS | 40 |
| ENGINE | 4 x Wright R-3350, 1620kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 67130 kg | 147997 lb |
| Empty weight | 34300 kg | 75619 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 61.0 m | 200 ft 2 in |
| Length | 36.6 m | 120 ft 1 in |
| Height | 13.6 m | 44 ft 7 in |
| Wing area | 242.0 m2 | 2604.86 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 380 km/h | 236 mph |
| Cruise speed | 300 km/h | 186 mph |
| Ceiling | 5200 m | 17050 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 9300 km | 5779 miles |
 | A three-view drawing (684 x 776) |
| keith miller, gretchenmiller94(@)bellsouth.net, 01.06.2009 My father flew the flying boats Van B. Miller, he talks about flying into Honololu Hawaii when an engine fell off. He advised he was flying at about nine thousand feet when it happened. He advises that then they landed in Honololu there were pictures taken of the plane and the crew. My father is about to pass away at the VA in Huntington WVa and I am trying to find those pictures before he passes. Can anyone advise me where to find them if they are still around. Keith Miller 502 839-3526 cell 502 403 8755 | | Jerry Avallone, javall1(@)sbcglobal.net, 24.03.2009 In 1959 while attached to VP-47 at NAS Alameda, there were 4 MARS A/C in storage near the estuary side of the base. Word came down that someone had purchased these aircraft to use as aerial firefighters. They all needed a lot of engine and prop work to get them in shape to fly again. The Navy had given the purchaser 30 days to get them off the property.Well it took a lot more time to return these planes to serviceability so they were barged over to SFO and brought on land at the US Coast Guard station. We worked on these planes there each day after our normal duty was over for extra pay. Great experience to see the inards of these magnificient airplanes. Especially climbing out to the outboard engines inside of the wings.Interesting to learn at least 2 of these birds are still around. | | Daniel L. Berek, dlberek(@)yahoo.com, 22.03.2009 During World War II, Martin envisioned airliner versions of this graceful flying boat. Alas, it was to prove just a fantasy, as there was little need for large passenger-carrying flying boats after the war. Anyway, here is a copy of the advertisement:
http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1130922055048918155JiQrMd | | Rodney Bittencurt, jrmmars(@)comcast.net, 18.03.2009 I flew as radioman on these aircraft during 1955-56 at /VR-2 NAS Alameda, CA.
The most exciting moment was one early morning on our way to Hawaii off Is. Hawaii we hit air pocket & dropped 2,000 ft. All the parameters were such that we had zero gravity on board. Anyone not strapped in floated. True story. | | Kevin Newell, newellk(@)telus.net, 15.03.2009 These planes still exist. I see them float on Sproat Lake in Canada in British Columbia. The Philippine and the Mighty Martin Hawaii Mars are still here. The last of their kind. Very few people know that they are still around. | | John Nichols, jerrolnichols(@)yahoo.com, 27.10.2008 My father passed away in 2005, he was an Aviation Radiomen, and flew in the Mars from 1943 thru 1946. His name was James Nichols, he was from Illinois. I still have his flight log. An interesting note is that in the summer of 1945 he was flying to Tinian and Saipan. The flight page for those flights are stamped top secret in the passenger and cargo blocks. I have always wondered. | | Everitt M. Mahon, emahon(@)satx.rr.com, 10.10.2008 I flew twice on the MARS. Once to get some flight pay around Alameda and Oakland Bay after it had some in-hanger maintenace, and once when I deployed to the Philippine Islands. It went from Alameda to Hawaii with a full complement of sailors during the Korean War. Also all their personal gear. It had to use JATO to take off from San Francisco Bay. | | Don Hoover, dhoover(@)wildblue.net, 21.04.2008 I flew as flight engineer on these arcraft during 1955-56 at VR-2 NASAlameda, Ca. | | Peter Hamel, p.hamel(@)t-online.de, 09.01.2007 Watch for the web-site: www.vectorsite.net/avmars.html | | frank slavin, slavinsgallery(@)earthlink.net, 08.01.2007 where can I find a large photo or print of this |
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