Philippine Mars is about to be launched onto Sproat Lake in what would be its last operational firefighting season. The hatch in the nose is already open, from where the steering and towing cable will soon be attached. Note the impressive wingspan and overall size of this amazing aircraft.

The Martin Mars truly is a huge flying boat... Philippine Mars is seen here in what would eventually turn out to be her last operational fire season.

This Vampire was built for the RAF as VP720, but was never marked as such. Taken on charge by the RCAF as 17031 10 April 1948, withdrawn from use in 1956 and struck off charge 24 April 1958. Sold to the USA and became N41J. Stored derelict by 1969, and was part of the Western Aerospace Museum (Lancaster, CA) from 1973 to 1977. Restored to flying condition in the 1980s/1990s, first flew again on 12 April 1991 at Arlington, WA. Part of the Comox Air Force Museum since 5 May 2000. Arrived there in flying condition but was declared a static artifact in Feb 2001. It's not on display in the museum's 19 Wing Heritage Air Park at Comox, but for protection it has since its arrival been stored in the non-public 407 Sqn hangar, as seen here.

Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose. AIMP involves several individual projects to acquire, integrate and install new mission systems and sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance onto the RCAF CP-140s.

Taxiing out for take-off. Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose. AIMP involves several individual projects to acquire, integrate and install new mission systems and sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance onto the RCAF CP-140s.

Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose.

Taxiing out for take-off.

Parked in the 442 Sqn hangar at Comox.

Being worked on in the 442 Sqn hangar.

A very early production Buffalo receiving some TLC in the 442 Sqn hangar.

Magnificant Cormorant helicopter receiving maintenance in the Comox 442 Sqn hangar.

Taxiing past for departure.

Great CAF Buffalo taxiing out for take-off.

Nice Aurora line-up on the operational apron at Comox. In front is 140110, followed by 140114 and 140118.

With a bit of a rainbow in the top left corner... Note the "AIMP - Group 1" (Aurora Incremental Modernization Project) emblem on the nose. AIMP involves several individual projects to acquire, integrate and install new mission systems and sensors for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance onto the RCAF CP-140s.