The Grumman HU-16 Albatross served as both a transport and a search-and-rescue aircraft for the United States. By Staff Writer
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross platform made appearances all across the globe with United States military forces, rescuing downed US airmen in need. The system was an amphibious platform, allowing for operation from land and / or sea, making it a most multi-faceted aircraft to serve with both the United States Air Force and the United States Navy / Coast Guard. The system saw production examples reach some 500 with service beginning in 1949.
The HU-16 was much like the flying boat designs of World War 2, featuring a deep hull-like fuselage with high-mounted engines. Powerplants revolved around a Wright R-1820 radial piston engine, of which one was mounted into each wing. Pontoons were fitted towards the edges to allow for stability on choppy water, particularly when landing or at rest. The tail was complimented by a single vertical tail surface and a crew of five or six personnel manned operations from within. Land-based operation was accomplished through a traditional tricycle landing gear system and water-based operations utilized the boat-like hull underfuselage surface and the underwing pontoons.
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Aircraft Quick Profile
Image courtesy of Alaska FAA.
1949
Designation:Grumman HU-16 Albatross Classification Type:Flying Boat Utility Transport Contractor:Grumman - USA Country of Origin: United States Production Total: 500
Operators: United States
Variants
SA-16 - Air-Sea Search-and-Rescue (SAR) Variant
HU-16A/B - Air-Sea Rescue Platform for the United States Air Force.
HU-16C - US Navy/Coast Guard Usage Designation
HU-16D - Utility Transport Variant for the United States Navy.
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