History in the Making

On Monday, February 10, 2025 the skies over Lake Pleasant Arizona, a man-made oasis on the fringe of urban Phoenix Arizona was suddenly the scene of a virtual time warp. Rumbling across the sky the large dark profile of a rare Martin Mars Naval Patrol aircraft appeared, with fellow World War Two warbirds in close formation.  The Philippine Mars, the last of her kind still flying had arrived for her final water landing as she goes into retirement and future display at the Pima Air and Space Museum. 

Despite being a work day, around a hundred aviation lovers greeted the big bomber to the lake, some from as far away as her former home base in Canada. With the world's only flying PB4Y Privateer in close formation and other aircraft paying their respects she landed with no issues and did her owners and community proud.

Flying for over 60 years as a fire bomber, in various white and red paint schemes, over hundreds of fires across the map, she arrived wearing her old military colors. Over the next few weeks the Mars will be expertly removed from the lake, disassembled for transport and eventually make her way down to Tucson Arizona.

To commemorate the aircraft's well earned retirement, we are now offering in Red, Blue or Black Martin Mars merchandise. Our red shirt in fact was seen on Arizona 12 news during a news story! Get yours today and thank you Philippine Mars for your years of dedicated service.