Iconic B.C. wildfire water bomber for sale for $5M
The pride of the skies above central Vancouver Island could soon be soaring towards the highest bidder.
A Martin Mars water bomber known as the Hawaii Mars II has been put up for sale for $5 million.
The Second World War-era plane was retrofitted from its role as a U.S navy patrol bomber into a water bomber in the 1960s.
Two of the bombers – the Hawaii II and the Philippine Mars – are owned by the Coulson Aviation Group in Port Alberni, B.C.
According to the company, the Philippine Mars is not air-ready and will likely end up in a museum.
The cockpit of the Hawaii II water bomber. (Platinum Fighters)
The Hawaii II is being sold through Platinum Fighter Sales out of California.
The Hawaii II water bomber is being sold through Platinum Fighter Sales out of California. (Platinum Fighters)
"Today, Hawaii Mars II remains the only airworthy example of its type in the world," Platinum wrote in an online sales description.
"The opportunity to purchase and preserve a unique part of aviation history is now available for the discerning buyer, or donor."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.