HU-16 ALBATROSS

The 'Grumman HU-16 Albatross' is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat. Originally designated 'SA-16', it was renamed HU-16 in 1962.

Contents

Design and development

Operational history

Operators

Specifications (G64)

Reference

External links

Related content

Design and development

The Albatross was designed to be able to land at sea in open ocean situations in order to effect the rescue of downed pilots. Its deep-V cross-section and substantial length helped make it possible for it to land in wavy conditions.
Since it weighs over 12,500 pounds, pilots must have a type rating in order to act as pilot or co-pilot on board the Albatross. There is a yearly Albatross fly-in at Boulder City, Nevada, where Albatross pilots can renew their type ratings.

Operational history

The lion's share of Albatrosses were used by the U.S. Air Force, primarily by the Air Rescue Service. The USAF utilized the SA-16 extensively in Korea, where it gained a reputation as a rugged and seaworthy craft. Later, the HU-16B (long-wing variant) Albatross was used by the U.S. Air Force's Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service in the Vietnam conflict. The HU-16D Albatross was used for United States Navy Search And Rescue and "skunk runs" on Guam during the Vietnam War at NAS Agana. Goodwill flights were also common to the surrounding Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in the early 1970s. Open water landing and takeoff training using JATO was conducted frequently at Apra Harbor, Guam. The aircraft was also operated by the United States Coast Guard for many years.
In 1970, Conroy Aircraft marketed a remanufactured HU-16A with Rolls-Royce Dart turboprop engines as the 'Conroy Turbo Albatross', but only the single prototype (registration ''N16CA'') was ever built.
Examples of Albatrosses include

★ Jimmy Buffett's Hemisphere Dancer, now the centerpiece of the Orlando, Florida Margaritaville Cafe.

★ Swimwear manufacturer Billabong operates a well-equipped Albatross for surf touring.

★ Quiksilver also operates a similarly-equipped Albatross for surf touring.

★ Several private owners have Albatrosses equipped with sleeping quarters which can be used as an airborne recreational vehicle (sleep-aboard), either at an airport or on the water.

Operators

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★ Philippine Air Force

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★ Royal Thai Navy

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★ US Air Force

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★ US Navy

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★ United States Coast Guard

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Specifications (G64)

Reference

External links

★ HU-16 history, including other designations

★ The Grumman Albatross Site

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★ List of all Albatrosses ever produced, and their current status

★ Historical Aircraft page on Northrop Grumman Web Site

★ ''Flight from Ashiya'', a 1964 movie which centers on three crewmembers of a USAF Air Rescue Service HU-16 Albatross and various experiences in their collective pasts. Aircraft sequences are generally considered quite good, especially for fans of the Grumman Albatross.

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