The day before the final flight of this mighty red and white giant the Hawaii Mars was being sent out for a special mission, a series of air-to-air join-ups. I was lucky enough to be the first in line with my Bell 206 photo ship. What a day that was. C-FLYL, the Hawaii Mars pictured here stirring up the dark waters of Sproat Lake, Van Island, BC.

Hawaii Mars was photographed on the grass outside the British Columbia Aviation Museum on August 31, 2024. The aircraft landed on the ocean at Patricia Bay on August 11 and was later hauled up the wartime RCAF seaplane ramp Patricia Bay and towed across Victoria International Airport to the museum over the following week. The Mars is now parked next to two other aerial fire fighting aircraft in the BCAM collection: Conair Convair 580 C-FHKF (Tanker No. 55) and Douglas A-26 C-FBMS (Tanker No. 22). The museum says that additional firefighting aircraft will be added to its collection.

"Lima Yankee Lima" nearly airborne off of Sproat Lake for her last round trip flight from Port Alberni. A historic and bittersweet moment for all those in BCs Forestry Industry as well as those who worked on the Mars.

I got a bit artistic on this one with the tree. Here the Hawaii Mars is escorted by the Snowbirds aerobatic team while it makes its farewell tour of Vancouver Island.

Hawaii Mars makes its final pass in the air over the BC Aviation Museum where it will now reside. An emotional few moments that was captured in the voices on ATC. We don't have much in this country, but what we've got we love.

Having just scooped a full load of water, Hawaii Mars gracefully departs Lake Elsinore

It was just announced in March 2024 that C-FLYL, the Hawaii Mars, will be going to the British Columbia Aviation Museum in Victoria. A team of AME's and flight crew will be re-certifying and the aircraft will be prepared for its last flight, which will be from Sproat Lake to the Saanich Inlet beside Victoria International Airport. The final stage will take place on the Canadian Coast Guard Base Patricia Bay where the aircraft will be brought up on a ramp, mounted on a trailer and moved across the runway of the Victoria airport to the museum. Great to see this historic BC aircraft to be preserved.

This will never be seen again. C-FLYL, the Hawaii Mars is up for sale for 5 million. Total time on the frame is listed at 23,497.8 hours. C-FLYK, the Philippine Mars was painted in its former US Navy scheme in anticipation of a sale that never materialized. The future for both of them remains uncertain.

"Hawaii Mars" on a short sortie from its Sproat Lake, Port Alberni, base on Vancouver Island BC

"Hawaii Mars" on a short sortie from its Sproat Lake, Port Alberni, base on Vancouver Island BC, performing a water drop as a demonstration of its firefighting powers.

Wfu but kept in flying condition awaiting a contract that never came...

On hot stand by during British Columbia's fire season.

The Hawaii at rest on Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island

C-FLYL and C-FLYK at Sproat Lake on a rainy day. I chartered a boat to take me out to see the two Mars up close. It was nice to get up close to them and circle around these huge aircraft. Both of the Mars are retired and its uncertain what their fate will be. Hopefully they will be preserved somewhere.

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

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.