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.
Still haven't heard of anyone who saw one of these beautiful ships that was burned to the waterline from engine fire at Middle River, Maryland. May have been secret that my father in law should not have known about and sure shouldn't have taken a photo.
Yep there are a couple left on Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island have been fishing there and when it rains you can always go and troll under the wing. Might be an exaggeration! Had one come and do a scoop in front of my cabin a few years ago they appear to move slow due to the size. We also were up in fighting fires in the interior in 2003 and they were there. Lately they have been farming them out to Clifornia, must be like a visit home for the old gals.
Yep there are a couple left on Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island have been fishing there and when it rains you can always go and troll under the wing. Might be an exaggeration! Had one come and do a scoop in front of my cabin a few years ago they appear to move slow due to the size. We also were up in fighting fires in the interior in 2003 and they were there. Lately they have been farming them out to Clifornia, must be like a visit home for the old gals.
My father-in-law took pictures of one of the boats moored at Middle River MD. One is a photo of the boat burned to the water line from an engine fire. Anyone have any knowledge of this. I didn't find the photo until after my father-in-law had passed away. Thanks. Froggy
Alfred Mabey CDR USN (ret), e-mail, 08.09.2010 00:01
I was fortunate enough to enjoy a tour of duty assigned to VR-2 flying the Mars aircraft. After having served flying seaplanes in a VP squadron and as an instructer in PBM's the Mars was heaven to fly. The squadron's check system was based on the old Pan Am system. Proud to have qualified as a Transport Plane Commander in Hawaii Mars 823.
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
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.
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: rides.webshots.com /photo /1130922055048918155JiQrMd
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.
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.
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.
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.
My father, Bryan E. Bradford flew the Mars during his time in VR-2. Did you know him?
reply