Martin 4-0-4 homecoming

Flight Journal, Dec 2000 by Piet, Stan

Nostalgia was the order of the day when, on May 27, hundreds of enthusiasts endured a cold rain to witness the "return to base"Martin's historic WW II-era airport in Maryland-of one of the last airworthy Martin Model 4-0-4 Mainliners.

Sponsored by the Glenn L. Martin Aviation Museum, the ferry flight and homecoming brought to fruition years of searching, planning and negotiation.

The aircraft-N2S9S-started its life with Eastern Airlines after being delivered in November 1952. After 10 years with Eastern, it had a storied career with numerous smaller regional carriers. In 1995, it was purchased by the Save-AConnie Foundation (SAC), and within a year, it was sold to Classic Airways, which operated it briefly and then stored it in San Bernardino, California.

The ferry mission and extensive preparatory work were undertaken by volunteers from Airliners of America (AOA) based at Camarillo, California. AOA president Jeff Whitesell, who operates his own 4-0-4, spearheaded its return and piloted what might be the last transcontinental flight of a Martinliner.

The Museum plans to keep N259S in its "as delivered" condition, but it will eventually have indoor storage and a suitable paint scheme or airline livery. It is displayed alongside the rest of the Museum's collection and can be viewed daily at Martin State Airport, east of Baltimore, Maryland.

For information, call (410) 682-6122. -Stan Piet