When I was a kid multi-engined prop driven aircraft were common. I feel lucky to live in a town that is the base for COULSON FLYING TANKERS. This company operates the worlds largest flying boats ever flown operationally. There are only two left in the world, Philippine Mars and Hawaii Mars. One flew over my house today and I still marvel at these wonders. How many folks get to see and hear four engined prop driven aircraft regularly?


Specifications (JRM-3 Mars)

Data from Jane’s Fighting Aircraft of World War II[2]
General characteristics
Crew: four (with accommodations for a second relief crew)
Capacity: 133 troops, or 84 litter patients and 25 attendants
Payload: 32,000 lb (15,000 kg) of cargo, including up to seven jeeps
Length: 117 ft 3 in (35.74 m)
Wingspan: 200 ft 0 in (60.96 m)
Height: 38 ft 5 in (11.71 m)
Wing area: 3,686 ft² (342.4 m²)
Empty weight: 75,573 lb (34,279 kg)
Loaded weight: 90,000 lb (40,820 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 165,000 lb (74,800 kg)
Powerplant: 4× Wright R-3350-24WA Duplex Cyclone 18-cylinder radial engines, 2,500 hp (1,865 kW) each
Performance
Maximum speed: 192 knots (221 mph, 356 km/h)
Range: 4,300 nautical miles (5,000 mi, 8,000 km)
Service ceiling: 14,600 ft (4,450 m)