Tag: water bomber

First and Final Flights

by JohnnyKillmore, posted in Aviation, Writing

  One quick note on December 17th. Back in 1903, this was the day Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first powered flights. They barely held the Wright Flyer of the ground and only managed about 120ft, using a sort of catapult that launched them into the wind. The Boeing 747 -- itself over 50yrs … Continue reading First and Final Flights

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

by JohnnyKillmore, posted in Aviation, Photography, Writing

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.

a sort of armored knight or warrior on a black dirt bike holds a sword abot his head in challenge or in triumph, with windmills and old building in a hazy background, with a gray and overcast sky above

The Struggle Within: refining and redefining purpose

by JohnnyKillmore, posted in Travel & Adventure, Writing

The original plan for my trip to Canada fell through, but now I'm heading to Vancouver Island for a special event. The rare Martin Mars aircraft is making its final flight, and I'm determined to be there. Despite struggling with depression and motivation, I'm pushing myself to explore and find my mojo again.