A Martin Mars....

[Stig / Major Tom]

Man, if I couldn't have a scooter - I'd want one of these.
But, can you imagine the cost of fuel and upkeep on something like this!





Stig

[xsel777]

Thanks, that was great being on that flight, and without having to pay their fuel costs!

Sent from my Mi Max using Tapatalk

[CROSSBOLT]

Beasts like this opened the world to travel and developed airborne celestial navigation. While burning tons of avgas!

[EvilTessmacher]

If memory serves, the Mars was a design outgrowth of the famous Consolidated Catalina PBY patrol flying boat of WWII Fame. I could be wrong, but the Martin is basically just a bigger Catalina. I know for a fact that the hourly operating cost of the Catalina in today's dollars is in the area of $8,000 to $10,000 per hour, so the Martin has to be a little more. I had to give up flying when my Piper Colt got to be more than $100 an hour to operate.

[CROSSBOLT]

Sorry you had to quit. That Colt was a nice craft! Which end was the little wheel on?

[EvilTessmacher]

Yeah, I loved that little bird. Got my ticket in it back in the mid-80s, and flew it everywhere. Made for a great first date. 
The little wheel was at the proper end. I'm surprised you had to ask.