Ebay Photo Album

I do something kind of like that. If I see some pictures or drawings that I like, I'll save the picture. Kind of like a few months ago when I posted pictures of how the Cox throttle worked with their "D" handle. It helps for my future project file.

The Future Mark

Planning ahead is NEVER a bad idea Mark !!!

And yeah, Roddie, the thing about the Mars is that it's a lot prettier than my lumpy ole Tailwinds!!  And, it has had a far more successful career!  I've been a fan of this big boat for a long time, and would LOVE to see it fly before it's finally retired.  Also, your project is spectacular...and I'll be happy to post consecutive harassing comments if there's a chance that you could be bullied into finishing it!

Another thing concerning the Mars...way back in 2008, we had a major flood at the airport that shut us down to only letting helicopters come and go.

Bruce, our airport manager, came out one evening to take some quick photos for the local newspaper when I was on duty (mopping and moping).  His camera croaked, and he knew I was always locked and loaded to take video or photos, so he asked if I ride along with him and take a few.

In those days before I got involved with Facebook, I had created my own "Cape Airport Newsletter"...basically just a Yahoo Mailing List...but with quite a few recipients...some aviation savvy...some not so much.  Anyway, as self-appointed Editor-in-Chief, Head Reporter, and Publisher, I had a big time messing with people who didn't always get my slant on things.

I just couldn't let a golden opportunity like this slip by, and decided to mess with one of the photos.  I don't own a photoshop program, but thought I'd try to put a Martin Mars onto one of the pictures using the standard "Paint" program that comes with all computers.



It was quick and dirty, but I thought it looked pretty good, and buried the photo in the thumb drive I gave Bruce, AND posted it in my Newsletter with a title something like "Historic Flying Boat Visits KCGI!!!"  I thought I was being pretty sly since Bruce was about the only one around that DIDN'T get my newsletter!

Next day, I get a couple newsletter relies: "Ha!  THAT'S Not Real!!!".  

Dense people can irritate me when they don't get my humor, so I replied, "BWUUUH...IS SO !!!!  Just ask Bruce, he was there!"

Well, my doctored photo didn't show up in Cape's Newspaper, and the only other feedback I got was when Bruce walked by me a couple days later, slowly shaking his head and saying, "Kim, Kim, Kim".

You place your bets and take your shots ......

Hey, that's funny stuff man! People can be pretty "dense" sometimes. Both of our photos depict the "Mars" in their most current service roll in British Columbia.. working as converted "flying-tankers" for fighting the massive forest fires that occur in the Pacific Northwest. Two of the original four conversions remain. Two were lost; one in a firefighting sortie and the other in a typhoon while beached. I believe that the "Hawaii" and "Philippine" Mars are the survivors. Four of only seven original Navy aircraft built between 1945-1948, were destined for the scrapyard in 1959.. and actually "sold for scrap" before they were "luckily" bought by "FIFT" (Forest Industries Flying Tankers) of British Columbia. There was a write-up in "Air & Space" magazine back in the early 90's about these aircraft. This is how I became fascinated with them.

As far as a finishing the model I "started" goes.. I've never lost interest in the concept.. and figured that; "even if it won't fly.. it would be the coolest model boat in the water"!!

roddie wrote:

As far as a finishing the model I "started" goes.. I've never lost interest in the concept.. and figured that; "even if it won't fly.. it would be the coolest model boat in the water"!!

Well, maybe you'll get fired up on it again. The giant rudder on that big dog would certainly seem to lend it's self well to wrangling those engines !!!

I'm tempted to start a "Hangar Queen" thread, with photos of my stalled projects. Maybe prompt me and some others to drag them out and start slinging glue at them !!!