The last shackles of a technically challenging move came off Thursday as Hawaii Mars settled into its next longtime resting place.
As Nickel Bros. crews disassembled the final pieces of the moving apparatus on Aug. 29, it marked the end of a 2.5-year mission made successful by more than 300 individuals and a dozen organizations.
91裸聊视频淭hat job would not have been possible if it wasn91裸聊视频檛 for the air museum putting the time in and all of the other parties getting it to 91裸聊视频榶es91裸聊视频,91裸聊视频 said Jim Connelly, south Island sales for Nickel Bros. told the Peninsula News Review. 91裸聊视频淭his is what community looks like, Everybody has a share in the success of the thing.91裸聊视频
The company is famous for its big moves, with this one done by its industrial arm known for bridges and other large, heavy technical pieces. Connelly was impressed with the dedication of the museum, individuals and agencies that carried through with 91裸聊视频済ood will and intentionality91裸聊视频 throughout the process. The Nickel Bros. portion of the project began about two years ago.
With a wingspan of nearly 200 feet and faced with breakwaters and bollards, the Mars was 91裸聊视频渃orkscrewed into the boat launch91裸聊视频 while people lined up watching in those early days before it even landed on shore. They moved it with a wing to the front so it was 120 feet wide instead.
91裸聊视频淚t took some real precision to keep it stable as we were rotating it to the boat launch,91裸聊视频 Connelly said of that breezy day.
Once at the launch, the aircraft was winched out on its relatively tiny wheels, and Nickel crews built a big industrial transporter for the move up the Institute of Ocean Sciences ramp, and up to West Saanich Road before coming to the airport gate.
Even the Victoria Airport Authority came through, working out a way the crew could access the airstrip in the evening and not have to recall the crew for a 2 a.m. move.
The entire trip took about four hours, finishing around 10:30 p.m.
91裸聊视频淚t was really tight on a number of locations,91裸聊视频 Connelly said, with fences and even seaplanes making moves to create space.
While the faces may have changed throughout, a crowd remained the entire time 91裸聊视频 a scene similar to those Connelly has seen moving old homes across Vancouver Island.
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 like they91裸聊视频檙e watching a ship launching or a whale being put out to sea. There91裸聊视频檚 a real respect for historical significance 91裸聊视频 so many people with personal experiences.91裸聊视频
Stories from pilots to people whose livelihoods were saved by the work of the Mars and its crews were abundant throughout the move, and continue to pour into the BC Aviation Museum.
91裸聊视频淲e are getting dozens and dozens, maybe into hundreds, of people sending in stories and pictures. It91裸聊视频檚 quite incredible what91裸聊视频檚 coming in,91裸聊视频 museum president Steve Nichol said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 incredible, we91裸聊视频檙e getting calls from virtually all over the world. This has got worldwide traction this story.91裸聊视频
The team at the volunteer-run BC Aviation Museum is compiling those stories and photos into a Mars memory book which will itself become an artifact.
Nichol uses the example of a memory shared for 1989 when the Mars put out a fire over Smithers saving a family ranch.
Those kind of personal impacts spur a desire for folks to visit the aircraft, with an itch to get inside, but Nichol warns people to manage expectations.
91裸聊视频淭here's a lot of work to be done on it,91裸聊视频 he said.
That includes de-fuelling, de-oiling, a good wash, and then perusing the interior with an eye to creating a safe space for the public to enjoy.
There will be a public unveiling Sept. 28 91裸聊视频 with times yet to be established 91裸聊视频 with two non-public functions in the days before.
91裸聊视频淲e are not sure if the inside will be open at that time because we have to make it safe and it has to be Heritage Canada compliant,91裸聊视频 Nichol said, noting the Hawaii Mars is now a museum artifact. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 going to take some time.91裸聊视频
In the meantime, visitors can revisit memories, or make new ones, seeing the Hawaii Mars sitting in its next long-term home 91裸聊视频 a concrete pad at the BC Aviation museum.
91裸聊视频淲e are very grateful for all of the many, many people who assisted us and agencies that assisted us,91裸聊视频 said Nichol, who counted up the 300 individuals and dozen organizations that aided in the project.
The museum welcomes more stories and images of its iconic latest piece of history by email at .
Learn more about museum hours and admission at .