Western Star Trucks has been entrusted with another piece of America’s precious aviation history.

Last year, Nickel Brothers from Nanaimo, British Columbia, were tasked with transporting one of two remaining World War II Martin Mars seaplanes to an aviation museum in Victoria, British Columbia.

In May, a similar task fell to Arizona’s Southwest Industrial Rigging. The specialized fleet was asked to move the 76,000-pound Philippine Mars flying boat to the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona. 

Only seven Martin Mars patrol bombers were built during World War II. And only two remain today.

And these are massive airplanes – roughly equal in size to a modern-day Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet.

The Martin Mars features a 200-foot wingspan. And once its military service was over, many served as aerial firefighting aircraft. The big planes can skim across a lake and scoop up and drop more than 7,000 gallons of water to drop on wildfires.

Transporting a Giant

The epic 150-mile journey was made with a Western Star 49X.

Boneyard Safari, specializing in historic aircraft transport, partnered with Southwest Industrial Rigging, which provided the 49X heavy haul trucks to move the nearly 80-year-old aircraft.

The length from the tractor bumper to the tail of the plane measured over 140 feet, and the gross vehicle weight of the truck and aircraft exceeded 177,000 pounds. 

"We started this project on February 10, 2025, when we met the Philippine Mars on Lake Pleasant in Arizona," said Aaron Goldstein, marketing director of Southwest Industrial Rigging.

"Extracting her from the water and preparing her for the journey was a massive undertaking. Once she was ready, we relied on our 49X for the long haul to the museum.”

Given the size and complexity, transport was conducted exclusively at night. This was a critical safety measure to minimize traffic disruption on public roads. 

Moving the oversized load at night allowed the convoy to travel slowly and safely, with the support of police escorts and utility crews.

“Our Western Star 49X helped ensure the transport was a piece of cake for the entire entourage," Goldstein said. "We owned the road every night, and although the route was determined early on, some last-minute changes to avoid low powerlines didn’t slow us down.” 

The convoy traveled five nights on state and local roads at an average speed of 25 miles per hour and included dozens of additional vehicles. 

Western Star Trucks

Southwest Industrial Rigging has relied on Western Star trucks for more than 45 years. Founder Harry Baker valued their reliability and heavy-haul capabilities. 

"We've continued to purchase Western Star trucks as our fleet expanded,” Goldstein said. “And we have added four new 49X Series trucks to our heavy-haul division over the last few years." 

According to the operator behind the wheel of the 49X, the truck offers great visibility and turning radius, essential for maneuvering the massive load through challenging intersections and narrow roads.

Just as important during overnight runs, the driver reported that the cab stays impressively quiet. 

Thanks to steel-reinforced aluminum and sound-dampening materials like Quiet Steel in the engine tunnel, road noise is kept to a minimum.

The redesigned cab mounts and Western Star's ISO-Tech Hood Suspension also help cut down on vibration, which can reduce physical strain and help drivers stay focused. 

"When we heard the Philippine Mars would be transported by a Western Star truck, we were honored," said Alex Martin-Banzer, Western Star brand manager. 

"To have played a part in the final journeys of two historic Mars Aircraft is a point of pride for the Western Star brand and product." 

With the Western Star 49X in the lead, this historic convoy delivered not just an aircraft but a flying legend that will continue to inspire museum visitors for decades to come.