‘Philippine Mars’ returned to Sproat Lake
On its delivery flight to the Pima Air and Space Museum (PASM) in Tucson (AZ), Martin Mars C-FLYK ‘Philippine Mars’ has been forced to return.
The famous flyingboat started its journey from Sproat Lake in Canada to the USA on 15 December 2024. But unfortunately during the flight the crew experienced problems in No.4 engine which neccesitated them to make an emergency landing on the water of Patricia Bay, west of Victoria International Airport.
Victoria is not only a commercial airport, it is also where the British Columbia Aviation Museum is situated. Since August last year this museum is the home of the world's second surviving Martin Mars, C-FLYL 'Hawaii Mars'.
It was meant that during its trip to the USA, ‘Philippine Mars’ was to conduct a flyby over its sister ship at the BCAM. At that moment tecnical issues prevented continuing the flight.
Fortunately engineers of Coulson Aviation, the former owner of both Mars Flying boats, came with a solution: an engine swap. Despite adverse weather conditions in the Christmas and New Year's Eve period they managed to remove the problematic No.4 engine of ‘Philippine Mars’. In its place one of the engines of the BCAM owned 'Hawaii Mars' was refitted.
After this engine swap ‘Philippine Mars’ returned to its former home Sproat Lake on 10 January 2025. There, for as far as we now know, engines No.1 and No.3 will also be changed in the coming weeks to prepare the plane for a second attempt to fly out to the USA.
Photos: Coulson Aviation (C-FLYK) and BCAM (C-FLYL minus one engine)