The Martin Mars arrived at Lake Pleasant, Arizona on February 10, 2025, after flying over 1,500 miles from Vancouver Island, Canada. It marks the culmination of immense effort, passion, and teamwork to get this legendary flying boat ready for its final flight. The museum’s acquisition from Coulson Aviation brings the mighty Martin Mars into its final chapter – preservation at the Pima Air & Space Museum. Before the preparation for its final flight, Philippine Mars hadn’t flown in 17 years. It needed a home and we are thrilled to provide it with one.
When the weather permitted on February 12th, Philippine Mars was pulled up the boat ramp to be prepared for the final leg of the journey to museum immortalization. A pure flying boat without landing gear, Mars aircraft need large bodies of water to land. It was dismantled at Lake Pleasant for trucks to haul it down to Tucson, Arizona. The fuselage arrived to Pima Air & Space Museum just before midnight on May 16th and the aircraft was reassembled for display piece-by-piece over the following months.
On the 25th of September, Philippine Mars was towed out onto our public grounds and secured for display in her permanent home. Visitors are welcome to visit and see her!
