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.

Hawaii Mars resting on Sproat Lake, awaiting its next firefighting mission.

Philippine Mars' engine #4 is receiving some necessary TLC. The next day it would be ready for its next mission and be launched onto Sproat Lake, for one of the last times in its career. This venerable lady was withdrawn from use at the end of this 2006 fire season, at the respectable age of 60.

This nose section is from the uncompleted eighth Martin Mars airframe, which would have become BuNo 76825 of the United States Navy. It was acquired by Forest Industries Flying Tankers in the 1960s and stored at their Sproat Lake base near Port Alberni, BC. It lay there in the brush for some 40 or 45 years until it was recovered by its new owners Coulson Flying Tankers in 2007. They restored it into their red and white colours and placed it on display in their visitor centre at Sproat Lake. Photo by: Hans van der Vlist

White-tailed Philippine Mars seen floating peacefully on Sproat Lake near its Port Alberni base, in the last days of its very long career (60 years!). It would be permanently withdrawn from use at the end of the 2006 fire season.

Philippine Mars is being readied for its launch into Sproat Lake, a time-consuming operation. The four TimberWest guys put the huge size of this flying boat into proportion. The photo shows this aircraft's uncommon side drop doors (two on each side), which sistership Hawaii Mars does not have. That has the more conventional system with dropping doors in its belly. This photo was taken 10 days before this aircraft's 60th birthday, and during what would be its final fire-fighting season. This amazing machine was withdrawn from use at the end of the 2006 fire season.

Red-tailed Hawaii Mars as it could frequently be seen during a fire season - moored on Sproat Lake in a great landscape near its Port Alberni base.

Preparation for a new paint job did not mean the Mars would stop work fighting fires. The aircraft has the FIFT logo on the tail and carries no registration, but the side drop doors reveal that this is C-FLYK Philippine Mars.

An aerial view of Coulson Flying Tankers base at Sproat Lake showing both their Mars Flying Boats on maintenance. C-FLYL is at the front with C-FLYK behind. Note the white aircraft outline painted on the ground around YL.

The 'engine room' on the ship-like flight deck of the incredible Martin Mars. Many thanks to the friendly mechanics and to an equally friendly boat owner for getting us aboard.

Aircraft crashed into hillside on 16th November 2008 with only one of eight onboard surviving.

Sitting pretty on Sproat Lake

Undergoing pre fire-season maintenance at home base. The significance of the 2010 on the fin is unclear.

Undergoing annual pre-season maintenance at Coulson's Sproat Lake BC base. Ex US Navy BuAer 76820. C-FLYK "Philippine Mars" at the rear.

Nothing more gorgeous than a red and white Mars flying boat on Sproat Lake on a clear bright sunny day.

"Hawaii Mars" basks in the late afternoon sun and still lake