Floatplanes & Amphibians | Martin JRM Mars

Floatplanes & Amphibians | Martin JRM Mars   The Martin JRM Mars flying boats are the world’s largest flying boats ever flown operationally.  Although seven were built, only two remain flying, the Hawaii Mars JRM-3 pictured here and the Philippine Mars.  They have been refitted as firefighting water bombers carrying 7,200 gallons of water.  They can be refilled on the water.  The pilot and crew land on the water normally, but keep the the aircraft “on the step” while scooping up another 7200 gallons in just 25 seconds.  Then, they takeoff for another firefighting mission.  For the whole story with all images, see Floatplanes & Amphibians | a 7 Image Story.