Philippine Mars Edges Out Maricopa in Pivotal Tucson Mission

Under the glow of a near-full moon, crowds gathered in the dark, their headlights illuminating State Route 238. They awaited the arrival of the Philippine Mars, one of the last surviving Martin JRM Mars flying boats, as it slowly made its way down the road early Wednesday morning, May 14, 2025.

This aircraft, a relic from World War II, was originally built to transport troops and cargo across the Pacific. Though it never participated in combat, it later served in peacetime as a firefighting tool in Canada, effectively dumping lakes of water on raging wildfires.

Measuring 26 feet in height and 146 feet in length, the Philippine Mars is more akin to a vessel than a traditional airplane. Its journey on Route 238 was destined for the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, but first, the aircraft had to navigate through suburban areas.

Hauling was managed by Southwest Industrial Rigging, which aimed to reach Maricopa by 11 p.m. The arrival attracted a diverse crowd. Some spectators set up tripods, while others brought children, excited despite the late hour.

Justin Maas, a recent high school graduate, captured the moment with his camera. “This is a piece of history,” he remarked. His friend, Lucas Fori, expressed similar enthusiasm, stating, “We like planes. Military stuff. This is rare.”

Local resident Kathleen Miguel brought her seven-year-old son Connor, who stayed up past his bedtime for the event. “What an excuse, huh?” she joked, as Connor pointed out, “It’s taller than two semis!”

Among the crowd was Shannon Garcia, a teacher with two decades of experience in Maricopa. She compared the event to past spectacles in the area. “It’s like when the big train barreled through,” Garcia recalled. A new teacher from the Philippines noted the significance of the plane’s name. “To see a plane named after my country, here in Arizona… it’s meaningful,” she said.

Logistics posed challenges during the transit. A scout truck led the way, raising power lines to clear the path for the massive aircraft. Crews from APS carefully adjusted wires while ED3 workers monitored the route.

Progress was slow as the Philippine Mars made its way from Gila Bend. “She’s really moving,” said an APS employee involved in the caravan. The aircraft, illuminated against the desert backdrop, glided at 20 miles per hour.

It took nearly three hours to travel from Gila Bend to Rio Bravo Road. Along the way, crowds gathered to take photos and cheer as the aircraft paused for adjustments. At 2:52 a.m., the Philippine Mars continued its journey toward Tucson, and the spectators began to pack up.

One devoted onlooker reflected, “We waited three hours. Totally worth it.” For one exceptional night, Maricopa witnessed a moment that brought a touch of history to the sleepy town.