Thousands upon thousands descended upon Patricia Bay, adjacent to Victoria International Airport, Sunday night to witness the final landing of the iconic Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber.
A historic moment in aviation occurred as the Martin Mars embarked on its final journey to its new home at the BC Aviation Museum.
From Port Alberni to Sidney, people gazed skyward to watch the mesmerizing plane, accompanied by nine Snowbirds flying in formation alongside and behind it.
Known for its impressive 200-foot wingspan and its significant role in firefighting, the Martin Mars will now be celebrated as a central piece of aviation history.
For over five decades, the Martin Mars program played a crucial role in Canadian forest firefighting.
As one of only two remaining Mars aircraft, the Hawaii Mars will become a major attraction at the BC Aviation Museum, offering visitors a glimpse into its storied past.
In its operational days, the Martin Mars could drop more than 25,000 litres of water per run, making it the largest water bomber in the world.
The plane departed Port Alberni around 3 p.m. and was ahead of schedule for much of its flight. At around 6:15 p.m., the Martin Mars flew over Patricia Bay with the Snowbirds in tow, releasing a large trail of smoke as onlookers cheered loudly.
The plane then made a pass over downtown Victoria before returning to Patricia Bay for its final landing around 6:36 p.m. Seconds after landing, the Snowbirds performed another flyover with smoke trails, delighting the thousands of spectators.
In case you missed last night’s historic moment or want to relive it, here are some photos and videos from around Vancouver Island:
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