Instant cloudburst: Canada based firefighting Martin Mars C-FLYK releases thousands of gallons of water from its glassfibre internal tanks.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

C-FLYL Hawaii Mars lets go over a forest fire about 40 miles north-west of Victoria, British Columbia. The Mars picked up their water-loads from Cowichan Lake, about ten miles away - retractable probes enabling them to skim the lake surface at 70 m.p.h. and scoop up 30 tons of water in less than half a minute.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

A dramatic photograph of Martin Mars waterbomber C-FLYK Philippine Mars, taken by MICHAEL O'LEARY over British Columbia in April 1988

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

A fire’s-eye view of a Mars dropping water from low level.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

C-FLYK rests on the glassy surface of Sproat Lake, looking more like a small-scale model than a 162,000lb leviathan.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

The scale of a water-dropping Mars is difficult to appreciate. That wing, which dwarfs C-FLYL Hawaii Mars’s four 2,500 h.p. Wright Cyclones, spans 200ft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

C-FLYL rests at its moorings while C-FLYK Philippine Mars jettisons water over Sproat Lake, Vancouver Island.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Martin PB2M / JRM Mars - СШАUSA - 1942