News: Martin Mars water bombers - USFS Contract

United States Forest Service Testing Martin Mars 7,200 gallon super scooper water bombers for expected San Diego California based USFS contract in 2008

After United States Forest Service Testing which begins today the Martin Mars water bombers based in Port Alberni, Canada could be fighting fires in three different countries and two hemispheres this year, if contract negotiations pan out.

"That would be the perfect season, seven months on contract," said Wayne Coulson, whose Port Alberni company Coulson Group purchased the two water bombers from TimberWest in April 2007. One has been operational, but both sat idle at Sproat Lake much of last summer, when the West Coast was cool and wet

The plans now call for the water bombers to be on contract to the Canadian province from May 15 to Aug. 15, then fly to San Diego, California., for September and October before heading to Australia from mid-December to mid-March.

In late October, Coulson took a water bomber south to help weary firefighters in California battle forest fires. One of the things that hampered Coulson was being limited to operating over state land and not being approved for federal lands.

But that could change this year as a NASA expert will arrive here today to examine the aircraft for deficiencies. Coulson says he's not worried: The water bomber may have been built for the Second World War, but it's been very well maintained.

"If we get approval, the U.S. federal government are the ones with all the money and who put up the air tanker contracts," said Coulson.

"In order for us to be able to get a contract in the U.S. for anything other than a 'call when needed' situation, we have to go under the federal umbrella."

In early May the water bomber will be tested to see how well the Martin Mars covers the ground with water or Thermogel, a fire-retardant additive to water that protects structures. Coulson is also seeking permission for the water bomber to drop Thermogel on homes and other structures.

In California last summer, the water bomber did drop Thermogel in front of homes as a fire guard.

"They wanted to see how we would do and we knocked the fire out," said Coulson.

"The mayor and police chief were there, too -- it was just perfect."

More information at:
Martinmars.com - Link
canada.com
Coulsongroup.com- Aviation tankers

Video Clip: Covers History, Firefighting Operations, and Maintenance - Youtube - link

Martin Mars facts: * The world's largest scooping waterbomber with a 60,000 lb. payload (7,200 US gallons) - The Martin Mars water bombers are scoopers and, working in tandem, they are able to deliver 14,000 US gallons (54,500 litres) of suppressant for the initial attack and continue delivering as much as 7,200 US gallons (27,276 litres) every seven minutes thereafter in sustained operations if needed. Originally, the Martin Mars flying boats were produced for the US Navy and were used as troop and cargo transports among the islands of the Pacific