Help Bring the Mighty Martin Mars
Seaplane Back Home to Middle River, Maryland
Musueum Press Release: December 11, 2006
Museum-Canadian Alliance: January 23, 2007
For Immediate Release:
The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum is requesting
help in bringing a Mighty Martin Mars Seaplane back
home to Middle River, Maryland
Middle River, MD December 11, 2006 -- The Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum has announced it is working to acquire one
of the two remaining Martin Mars seaplanes from TimberWest Forest Corporation in British Columbia,
Canada, and bring the aircraft back home to Middle River, Maryland, where the planes were manufactured
between 1941 and 1945 at the Glenn L. Martin Company. The planes have been serving as water-bombers,
fighting forest fires in the Northwest. The Mars aircraft are in excellent, airworthy, condition after
more than 60 years of flying.
This will be a major acquisition for the Museum, as the Martin Mars is among the world's most famous
aircraft. The Mars is the largest seaplane in history to enter production, and is the largest seaplane to
serve the military. It is still one of the biggest aircraft ever built and is the largest plane ever built
in Maryland. The Mars has a 200-foot wingspan, which is larger than most Boeing 747 airliners. The aircraft
remains a local icon; its name, Mars, was the inspiration behind the naming of the Mars supermarket chain,
Mars Estates, Mars Estates elementary school, and other local entities in Baltimore County.
The Museum hopes to display the Mars as the centerpiece of its aircraft collection and anticipates the seaplane being a
major Museum, Middle River, and Baltimore County attraction for local residents, tourists, and aviation and history enthusiasts.
Acquisition would be a catalyst for the Museum's expansion plans, and ongoing education center programs. With a very short bidding
period to acquire the airplane, the Museum needs to raise significant funds immediately, and is seeking financial assistance from
governments, organizations, and individual donors. The Museum is also looking for volunteer support in a variety of roles, as well
as donations of Mars related artifacts, photos, documents, stories, oral histories, and mementos.
The goal is to bring a piece of history back to its
birthplace before it is lost forever to the scrap
yard, or an out of town buyer. Contributions should
be sent to the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum,
P.O. Box 5024 Middle River, Maryland 21220 –
Attention: MARS project. Volunteers should register
by calling the Museum. Donated items may be delivered
to the Museum from 11am – 3pm, Wednesday –
Saturday, or by prior arrangement. The Museum is a
501(c)(3) non-profit, and donations may be tax deductible.
For additional information, visit the Museum's web
site at http://www.marylandaviationmuseum.org/ or
call 410-682-6122.
Founded in 1990, the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, a registered nonprofit organization,
began by preserving the history and artifacts of the Martin Company in Middle River Maryland, which
was founded by aviation pioneer and aircraft industry legend, Glenn L. Martin, the third American to
design, build, and fly his own plane. Martin was the only early pioneer to start and maintain control
of his own manufacturing company. He remained in charge for 40 years, building legendary aircraft such
as the B-10 bomber, China Clipper, B-26, P5M Marlin, Mars, B-57 Canberra, 404 airliner, and P6M SeaMaster.
He employed many of the early aviation pioneers who would go on to start other major aircraft companies.
He is arguably the primary father of the modern aircraft manufacturing industry in the United States.
The scope of the Museum’s mission and collection
was expanded to include the rich history of Maryland-wide
aviation and space. The Museum operates offices, archives,
historic static display aircraft, and public exhibit
space that currently features exhibits on the history
of Glenn L. Martin, Martin’s influence on the
aircraft manufacturing industry in the United States,
the Martin Company, the Lockheed Aircraft Company,
Maryland astronaut Tom Jones, and more – all
at Martin State Airport in Middle River, Maryland.
The Museum also presents at no charge its monthly
speaker program at the Lockheed Martin auditorium
adjacent to the airport. Development of a new education
center and aircraft restoration facility is underway
in the Lockheed Martin complex. The Museum is pursuing
a new home on or near Martin State Airport.
Museum PR Contact:
Stan Piet
410-682-6122 or info@marylandaviationmuseum.org
For Immediate Release:
Canadian Aviation Organization and U.S. Aviation Museum Create an Alliance for the Acquisition of
Historic Aircraft – The Martin Mars Water Bombers
Middle River, MD January 23, 2007 -- The British Columbia Aviation Council (BCAC), a not for profit organization with
charitable status in Canada and the non-profit Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum in Middle River, Maryland,
USA announce their alliance to acquire both of the Martin Mars Water Bombers currently for sale by the TimberWest
Forest Corporation in British Columbia, Canada. The BCAC is dedicated to the safe and orderly development of
aviation in British Columbia and the preservation of the Province's aviation history. The Maryland Aviation Museum's scope includes the Glen L. Martin Company, which built the Mars flying boats at the Museum's location in Middle River.
Click here for the complete Press Release
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