For those of you who have lived on the SW coast and surrounding areas of BC, you might remember the two great water bombers, which were stationed in Sproat Lake, near port Alberni.

They and their flight crews were formidable forest fire fighters and were fixtures in the skies of BC during fire season. They have been retired for some time, but the remaining Mars bomber today

Took to the skies for one final flight to her new home, at the aviation museum at Victoria Airport. I admit that I got choked up, when she flew past my house, heading south. The snowbirds, met her south of Nanaimo and gave her an escort

home.

Edited August 12, 20241 yr by Boeingnut

An iconic plane indeed. Not so sure they should have been retired, but at least it will be preserved. The BC Aviation Museum video of the final flight with the snowbirds can be seen here.