Martin Mars water bomber in action, dropping 7,000 gallons of water. Viewed from above and at the left-front quarter, the flying boat is white on top with orange-red lower half. Its wings are painted black behind its engines to hide exhaust smoke stains. The tail reads "Coulson" and below the huge plume of water is nearby forest, service road, and the edge of a lake

Mars Landing: the Queen of the Lake’s Last Flight

The Queen of the Lake, who saved millions in timber and hundreds of homes and lives, retires after 20 years of military history and over 40 years as a water bomber. I was there to witness its last time in the air and on the water.