The Hawaii Mars will be on display, alongside multiple other planes from B.C.’s aviation history, on Aug. 23 and 24 at the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich.

(BC Aviation Museum/Instagram)

B.C. Aviation Museum opens Mars water bomber flight deck for select tours

August 21, 2025 // by Black Press Media Staff

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Fasten your seat belts and prepare to feel your heart soar as the BC Aviation Museum hosts its annual Open House Hangar Fest on Aug. 23 and 24.

The open house event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, and features a deep look at the North Saanich museum’s newest additions, restoration projects and some classics from previous years.

This year, get up close and check out the iconic Hawaii Mars. After almost a year of work and preparation, the museum is allowing limited access to the aircraft flight deck.

During the open house weekend, visitors can enter for a chance to be selected by random draw for an exclusive tour of the Hawaii Mars flight deck. Over the coming weeks and months, a regular draw will select a few people for the experience.

Also on display will be a Convair firebomber and a Vickers Viscount passenger aircraft.

Entry is by donation, and attendees will be able to see parachutists dropping in, as well as military re-enactors from the Second World War and beyond.

A variety of food trucks will be on site to ensure everyone is well-nourished throughout the day.

The museum, located at 1910 Norseman Rd., about 30 minutes from downtown Victoria, is expecting this year to be their biggest turnout yet.

For more information, visit bcam.net/open-house-faqs

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