Even after World War 2 (1939-1945) the flying boat remained a key component of world military forces. Many times on large over-ocean searches the crew would be designated On-Scene-Commander and coordinate the efforts of a large fleet of aircraft. max. An improvement of the design of the Grumman Mallard, the Albatross was developed to land in open-ocean situations to accomplish rescues. 3in. Armament: none. Lieutenant Commander Duane Coppock of the US Coast Guard accumulated over 200 hours flying this very aircraft, #7245, when he was stationed at Quonset Point, Rhode Island in the 1960s. The new aircraft designated SA-16B first flew in January 1956. Another use of the Albatross was for fisheries patrols, checking the positions of American, Russian, and Japanese boats. The USAF retired their HU-16 in 1973 with some 55 being transferred to the Coast Guard. Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. credit: Jean-Luc Altherr. In 1955 Grumman developed an improved version with a 16 1/2 foot increase in wingspan and larger aileron and tail surfaces. [3] Other examples of the HU-16 made their way into Air Force Reserve rescue and recovery units prior to its retirement from USAF service. 51-5282 to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, in July 1973 after setting an altitude record of 32,883ft earlier in the month. Ironically the Air Force was the first service to receive a production aircraft, because the Navy had dropped its procurement of the Albatross as a ASW platform and instead ordered six UF-1 utility aircraft. Grumman, a long-time fighter producer for the United States Navy, sold various services on its new HU-16 "Albatross" flying boat where it went on to see a considerable career in the Search And Rescue (SAR) role. At 1:27 p.m. local time on Wednesday (12), Flybondi's first flight to Mendoza departed from Crdoba airport. The Grumman Model G-64 prototype Albatross first flew on October 24, 1947 and was designated the SA-16 by the USAF. Since the aircraft weighs over 12,500 pounds, pilots of civilian US-registered Albatross aircraft must have a type rating. This one first flew with the Air Force, then with the Coast Guard from many stations around the country. 51-7193 - Maryland Air National Guard Museum. NEXT. The Albatross was designed for optimal 4-foot (1.2m) seas, and could land in more severe conditions, but required JATO (jet-assisted takeoff, or simply booster rockets) for takeoff in 810-foot (2.43.0m) seas or greater. Title: Grumman HU-16 Albatross The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat, designed to be able to land at sea in open ocean situations in order to effect the rescue of downed pilots. . If needed, survival gear and water were parachuted to the survivors. Powerplant: Two Curtis-Wright R-1820-76A radial, air-cooled engines, 1,425 horsepower each. Grumman hu 16 albatross is a rare aircraft. 25 aos. Many times the aircraft escorted helicopters to complete rescues, and rarely this amphibian landed on water to make a rescue. All seven on board were killed. Payload: 22 passenger - 12 litters. Number Built: Grumman delivered a total of 297 SA-16As to the USAF; others were obtained on USAF contracts for foreign air forces under Mutual Defense Aid. Albatross designations were in the SA-16, HU-16, PF-, U-16, UF- series. No warranty of If you are or were a Coast Guard aviator and flew 7245 please inform our museum by contating our Operations Director at 707-575-7900 or Email:Christina Olds. Many surplus Albatrosses were sold to civilian operators, mostly to private owners. During development, the Navy had decided its initial order would be for Anti-Submarine-Warfare aircraft (ASW) designated PF-1As. fitness for any purpose is made or implied. Grumman Albatross HU-16 Technical Specifications Exterior Exterior Height: 26.02 ft Wing Span: 97.05 ft Length: 61.02 ft Occupancy Crew: 2 Passengers: 10 Operating Weights Operating Weight: 35700 Lb Fuel Capacity: 1546 Lb Range Normal Range: 2850 nm Service Ceiling: 21500 ft Performance Normal Cruise: 204 kts Cost per Hour: $ N/A Power Plant Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. I always tried to get a photo of Al starting the Wright R-1820-76 cyclone 9 nine-cylinder, single row, air-cooled radials. Most of the SA-16As were assigned to the MATS Air Rescue Service. Originally designated SA-16, it was renamed HU-16 in 1962. Read the name under the window: "LCDR Duane Coppock USCG". The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-radial engine amphibious flying boat that was used by the U.S. Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN) and the U.S. CoastGuard (USCG), primarily as a search and rescue and combat search and rescue aircraft. It matches the late 1970s Coast Guard paint scheme and is still current today. Turn the control yoke and watch the ailerons move! *** - Empty weight is approximate and varies with each aircraft as equipped, **** - Max operating weights varied with each service and vary with each Type Certificate. We are very excited to be involved in the modernization of the G-111T aircraft, which has such an illustrious history, said Nicholas Kanellias, Pratt & Whitney Canadas VP of General Aviation. HU-16E Albatrosses were in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet from 1951 to 1983. The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. Designed to rescue downed pilots and flight crews, the Albatross could takeoff normally in 4-foot seas and 8-10-foot seas with JATO boosters. Grumman designed the versatile Albatross to meet a U.S. Navy requirement for an amphibious utility aircraft which could also operate from snow and ice with skis. 1600 Hrs Fuel Burn Cruise 110 gph 110 gph 110 gph Propellers Model Hamilton Standard 43D50 - 3 Blade Hamilton Standard 43D50 - 3 Blade Hamilton Standard 43D50 - 3 Blade Diameter 11 ft 11 ft 11 ft Ground Clearance 8 ft 8 ft 8 ft Water Clearance 4 ft 4 ft 4 ft * - Factory "B" group includes the following 27 airplanes Beginning in 1957, many A models were converted to the B configuration with these improvements. Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. These aircraft had extensive modification from the standard military configuration, including rebuilt wings with titanium wing spar caps, additional doors and modifications to existing doors and hatches, stainless steel engine oil tanks, dual engine fire extinguishing systems on each engine, and propeller auto feather systems installed. The USAF, USMC, USN and USCG all made use of the type which saw production span from 1949 until 1961 and 466 total units delivered. The Grumman-built general utility amphibian SA-16 with a crew of five, can operate . The Albatross is an amphibian aircraft with the ability to perform a variety of missions. Fuel . Ten were ordered by Canada as CSR-110. Copyright 1996 2020 Pacific Coast Air Museum 501(c)(3) non-profit. Cockpit image represents the Grumman HU-16B production model. Loved all of the noise and smoke! Maximum TakeOff Weight: 17,010 Kg 37,500 lbs: Maximum Weight at Landing: 14,965 Kg 32,992 lbs: Full Fuel Payload: 4,535 Kg 9,998 lbs: Fuel Tank Capacity: 1,709 gal The Albatross began as a Navy aircraft. The crew for this record setting flight included Lt. Col. Chuck Manning, pilot; Maj. Paul Schaefer, co-pilot; and Tech. Because of the increased wing area, the ailerons, fin and stabilizers were increased in size. By continuing to use this website, you are agreeing to our Cookie Policy. Disclaimer: Information on this site may not be accurate or current and is not valid for flight planning or any other aircraft operations.