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.

B次元官网网址淭hat job would not have been possible if it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for the air museum putting the time in and all of the other parties getting it to B次元官网网址榶esB次元官网网址�,B次元官网网址� said Jim Connelly, south Island sales for Nickel Bros. told the Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review. B次元官网网址淭his is what community looks like, Everybody has a share in the success of the thing.B次元官网网址�

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 B次元官网网址済ood will and intentionalityB次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址渃orkscrewed into the boat launchB次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚t took some real precision to keep it stable as we were rotating it to the boat launch,B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚t was really tight on a number of locations,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址� a scene similar to those Connelly has seen moving old homes across Vancouver Island.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 like theyB次元官网网址檙e watching a ship launching or a whale being put out to sea. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a real respect for historical significance B次元官网网址� so many people with personal experiences.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淲e are getting dozens and dozens, maybe into hundreds, of people sending in stories and pictures. ItB次元官网网址檚 quite incredible whatB次元官网网址檚 coming in,B次元官网网址� museum president Steve Nichol said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 incredible, weB次元官网网址檙e getting calls from virtually all over the world. This has got worldwide traction this story.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淭here's a lot of work to be done on it,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址� with times yet to be established B次元官网网址� with two non-public functions in the days before.

B次元官网网址淲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,B次元官网网址� Nichol said, noting the Hawaii Mars is now a museum artifact. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to take some time.B次元官网网址�

In the meantime, visitors can revisit memories, or make new ones, seeing the Hawaii Mars sitting in its next long-term home B次元官网网址� a concrete pad at the BC Aviation museum.

B次元官网网址淲e are very grateful for all of the many, many people who assisted us and agencies that assisted us,B次元官网网址� 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 info@bcam.net. Learn more about museum hours and admission at .