This is the largest operational flying boat which cost $5million to build
- The Martin Mars water bomber is the world’s largest operational flying boat
- Only seven were ever made, with only two remaining
- It can scoop up vast quantities of water to put out fires
Published on Feb 14, 2024 at 12:21 PM (UTC-5)
by Tom Wood
Last updated on Feb 22, 2024 at 6:32 AM (UTC-5)
Edited by
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
This is the world’s largest operational flying boat, and it’s a massive part of aviation history.
It’s called the Martin Mars water bomber, and it costs $5 million dollars if you want to buy one for yourself.
Not that you can, because they’re so rare.
As the world’s largest operational flying boat, it occupies a special spot in the world of planes, with a 61 metre – 200 feet – wingspan.
That’s longer than 10 giraffes FYI.
It performs an important task, too.
The plane is built to scoop up huge amounts of water, which can then be dumped on fires, dousing four acres of land with each splash.
The Martin Mars air tanker was built during World War Two, and only seven were ever made.
Now, there are just two in existence – although there are more modern takes.
As they prepare to fade out of existence fully, it’s worth remembering the Martin Mars for the feat of engineering and craft that it is.
