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.

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 the aircraft weighs over 12,500 pounds, pilots of US-registered Albatross aircraft must have a type rating. There is a yearly Albatross fly-in at Boulder City, Nevada where Albatross pilots can renew their type ratings.

Operational history

The majority of Albatrosses were used by the U.S. Air Force, primarily by the Air Rescue Service, and initially designated as SA-16. The USAF utilized the SA-16 extensively in Korea, where it gained a reputation as a rugged and seaworthy craft. Later, the redesignated HU-16B (long-wing variant) Albatross was used by the U.S. Air Force's Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, the aircraft saw extensive service during the Vietnam conflict.

The U.S. Navy also employed the HU-16D Albatross as a Search And Rescue aircraft from coastal naval air stations, both stateside and overseas. It was also employed as an operational support aircraft worldwide and for "skunk runs" from the former NAS Agana, Guam during the Vietnam War. Goodwill flights were also common to the surrounding Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands in the early 1970s. Open water landings and water takeoff training using JATO was also frequently conducted frequently by U.S. Navy HU-16s from locations such as NAS Agana, Guam; Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; NAS Barbers Point, Hawaii; and NAS Pensacola, Florida, among other locations.

The HU-16 was also operated by the U.S. Coast Guard as both a coastal and long-range open ocean SAR aircraft for many years until it was supplanted by the HU-25 Guardian and HC-130 Hercules.

Civil operations

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.

Many surplus Albatrosses were sold to civilian operators, mostly to private owners, but Chalk's International Airlines flew five examples on scheduled services from Florida to various points in the Bahamas, landing in lagoons and other water strips.

Variants

Operators

 Argentina

 Brazil

 Canada

 Chile

 Republic of China

 Colombia

 Germany

 Greece

 Iceland

 Indonesia

 Italy

 Japan

 Malaysia

 Mexico

 Norway

 Pakistan

 Peru

 Philippines

• Philippine Air Force

 Portugal

 Spain

 Thailand

• Royal Thai Navy

 United States

• United States Air Force
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Navy

 Venezuela

Specifications

General characteristics

• Crew: two, pilot and co-pilot
• Capacity: up to 30 passengers
• Length: 62 ft 10 in (19.16 m)
• Wingspan: 80 ft 0 in (24.4 m)
• Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.8m)
• Wing area: 883 ft² (82 m²)
• Empty weight: 20,000 lb (9,100 kg)
• Max takeoff weight: 33,000 lb (15,000 kg)
• Powerplant:
  • 2 or 4× 15KS1000 rocket, 1,000 lb_f () each
  • 2× Wright R-1820-76 Cyclone 9 radial engine, 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) each
• *Fuel Capacity :1,075 gal plus 2-300 US gal drop tanks (4,000 L plus 1,100 L drop tanks)

Performance

• Maximum speed: 205 knots (236 mph, 380 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 130 knots (150 mph, 241 km/h)
• Range: 2,477 nm (2,850 mi, 4,587 km)
• Service ceiling: 21,500 ft (6,553 m)
• Additional lift utilizing two or four RATO 15KS1000 units with 15 seconds of solid propellant.

Armament

None