Hawaii Mars - The Final Flight

— Event Photography

It is no argument that living in what is now called Victoria, the traditional territories of the WSANEC Lekwungen peoples, has its perks. We are surrounded by lush rainforests, majestic mountains, and boundless seas. But on Sunday, August 11th, I felt exceptionally grateful to call it home, when I got to witness the final flight and landing of the Hawaii Martin Mars in Patricia Bay.


Coulson Aviation, the owners of Hawaii and Philippine Mars, announced in April 2024 that it would be donating the 80+ year old Hawaii Mars to the BC Aviation Museum, which is in Sidney, BC. Much preparation went into planning her final journey to the BC Aviation Museum, and it was announced that she would be departing Sproat Lake, her home of over 50 years, and making her final flight to Patricia Bay on Aug 11th, 2024, and that she would have the CF Snowbirds escorting her over Sidney and Victoria, BC.


I knew this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I rented a 70-200mm F2.8 zoom lens, hopped on my e bike and biked 30+km from Oak Bay to North Saanich and joined many other folks on the shores of the Salish Sea to witness this special final flight. The conditions were perfect; calm seas, golden hour sun and no wind, and after waiting for what felt like forever, we glimpsed her in the distance. She soared into view with three Snowbirds flanking her on both sides and three tailing behind her. She roared over the main crowds at the breakwater and I snapped as many photos as I could. It was quite a sight seeing her gigantic bright red and white body contrasting against the azure blue sky.


After that initial excitement, she reappeared 10 mins later, roaring over the treetops, though we could all hear her well before we saw her. She flew across the bay and turned around to make her decent, and with the sun glittering on the water, she touched down for the last time. It was incredibly emotional to know this was the last time she would fly and the last time she would land, and I almost forgot to take more shots because I was just taking it all in. The many boats in the bay honked their horns and the crowds cheering and wiped away tears as she taxied into the bay. And to top it off, the Snowbirds made a final salute over the bay, in a line formation with smoke trailing from their tails. What a send off for the Queen of the Lake after 50 years of fire fighting service in BC. I'm not crying, you're crying 😭

Hawaii Mars flying in formation with CF Snowbirds against a mountain backdrop during an aerial display.
Formation of Hawaii Mars and CF Snowbirds creating white vapor trails during an airshow performance.
Hawaii Mars leads a CF Snowbirds formation flight over mountainous terrain.
Hawaii Mars and CF Snowbirds with smoke trails against mountain scenery.
Hawaii Mars and CF Snowbirds with smoke trails against bright blue sky.
Hawaii Mars flies over coastal waters with evergreen trees and rocky shoreline.
Hawaii Mars soars above harbour filled with boats on a clear day.
Hawaii Mars flies over water against forested hillside and blue sky.
Hawaii Mars begins to land on Patricia Bay with boats and forested coastline in the background.
Hawaii Mars performing water landing among boats with mountain landscape in background.
Hawaii Mars water landing among boats with layered mountain silhouettes behind.
Hawaii Mars skimming across water surface with mountains and boats in background.
Hawaii Mars performs a water landing on Patricia Bay
CF Snowbirds in formation creating diagonal smoke trails against blue sky.
CF Snowbirds flying in formation leaving smoke trails against bright blue sky.
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