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Grumman HU-16E 'Albatross'

Description
Notes: HIGH-WING, amphibious aircraft with fixed wing floats. For search/rescue, asw, and general purpose uses (6 CREW, 12 LITTERS) .
  Manufacturer:Grumman
  Base model:U-16
  Designation:HU-16
  Version:E
  Nickname:Albatross
  Equivalent to: UF-2G
  Designation System:U.S. Air Force
  Designation Period:1952-Present
  Basic role:Utility
  Modified Mission:Search and Rescue
  See Also:

Specifications
  Length: 61' 3" 18.6 m
  Height:25' 10" 7.8 m
  Wingspan: 96' 8" 29.4 m
  Wingarea: 1,035.0 sq ft 96.1 sq m
  Empty Weight: 22,883 lb 10,377 kg
  Gross Weight: 35,700 lb 16,190 kg

Propulsion
  No. of Engines: 2
  Powerplant: Wright R-1820-76B
  Horsepower (each): 1425

Performance
  Range: 2,850 miles 4,589 km
  Cruise Speed: 150 mph 241 km/h 130 kt
  Max Speed: 236 mph 380 km/h 205 kt
  Climb: 1,450 ft/min 441 m/min
  Ceiling: 21,500 ft 6,552 m

Examples of this type may be found at
MuseumCityState
Dyess Linear Air ParkDyess AFBTexas
Historic Aircraft Restoration ProjectsBrooklynNew York
Intrepid Sea-Air-Space MuseumNew YorkNew York
March Field Air MuseumRiversideCalifornia
McClellan Aviation MuseumMcClellan AFBCalifornia
National Museum of Naval AviationNAS PensacolaFlorida
Pacific Coast Air MuseumSanta RosaCalifornia
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial ParkMobileAlabama

HU-16E on display

Historic Aircraft Restoration Projects

March Field Museum

McClellan Aviation Museum

Pacific Coast Air Museum

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
    


 

Recent comments by our visitors
 J. Crawford
 Sacramento, CA
The HU-16B (SN51-7209)displayed at McClellan was delivered to the USAF in 1953 and assigned to the 1707th Training Sqd (MATS), Palm Beach , Fla. In May 1959 it was deployed to Brookley AFB, Alabama and in March1960 was sent to Davis-Monthan AFB , Arizona. In April 1961 it was transferred to the U.S. Coast Guard serving in Washington, Texas and Michigan until 1978. It was then flown to Luke AFB for display until March 1988 when it was flown by C-5 to McClellan AFB for restoration and display in the appropriate Coast Guard markings.
07/23/2009 @ 11:32 [ref: 24309]
 Larry Freet
 , PA
Had the great pleasure of flying many Goats in San Diego from 1967 to 1969, before we moth-balled the goats in favor of the HH-3Fs. I loved the water work in San Diego bay. I was an AD-2 and plane captain on 7238. Many great and long searches down to Baja CA looking for overdue fishermen.
06/09/2009 @ 08:42 [ref: 24226]
 Paul L. Lamb
 St. Petersburg, FL
I had the privilege to be the last to fly the 2129 in April 1972 when I, along with LCDR Tom Frischmann as co-pilot and AD Joe Boles landed her in the parking lot at the battleship. Touchdown to stop was 520 feet. She still looks great despite being abused by Katrina.
03/10/2009 @ 19:02 [ref: 23920]
 ANTONIO OSS MENATTI
 menatti2@yahoo.com.br, TX
FLEW IN THE OLD GOOSE 1971-80 IN THE SEARCHE AND RESCUE BRASILIAN AIR FORCE 2º/10º GAV "ESQUADRÃO PELICANO",ITS A GOOD AIRCRAFT FOR THAT JOB.
08/15/2008 @ 09:26 [ref: 22462]
 CWO4 RAFAEL RIVERA,USCG
 MOBILE, AL
FLEW IN THE OLD GOOSE 1964-65 DINNER KEY,1965-68 STANLEY POINT NAS PHILLIPINES, 1970-73 FLOYD BENNETT FIELD BROOKLYN. WENT DOWN IN ONE DURING TOUCH AND GO IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA.
07/29/2008 @ 10:07 [ref: 22291]
 Steve Dickerson
 Las Vegas, NV
I was attached to the USCG Air Station Port Angeles, Wa and flew the HU-16E(Goat) from 1969 until 1972. It is a great aircraft from a bygone era of aviation. The 7209, 2123 and 7243 were there during that time period.
06/27/2008 @ 11:30 [ref: 21697]
 George Maroney ADCS USCG Retired
 Roscommon, MI, MI
I flew in the Goats from 1957 to 1968. I served at Traverse City, MI, Kodiak Alaska, San Francisco, Traverse City again, Miami Cuban crisis, ARSC AD School. Great airplane and got to fly in one 6 years ago at a Splash In at Gaylord Mi.
06/03/2008 @ 08:07 [ref: 21101]
 KEN LEYENDECKER
 MARY ESTHER, FL
SERVED AS FLIGHT MECH. FROM 1964-1967 AT CGAS BROOKLYN N.Y.
I REMEMBER BEING PROUD TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH AN "UNUSUAL AIRPLANE' MY FIRST RON TO MONTREAL IN 1964 BROUGHT US TO THE RAMP NEXT TO A GIANT TUPOLEV WHICH BROUGHT THE RUSSIAN BALLET TROUP FOR PERFORMANCE. THE CREW FROM THE TUPOLEV AND THE ALBATROSS CREW EXCHANGED ADMIRING GLANCES AND WELL DESERVED RESPECT.
THE VERAZANNO BRIDGE WAS UNDER CONSRTUCTION AT THE TIME AND WE MANAGED TO SLIP UNDER IT ONE SUMMER AFTERNOON.
WATER LANDINGS WERE NOT USUAL,BUT WE DID TRAIN FOR THEM. SITTING IN THE BACK DURING A TAKE-OFF WAS LIKE SITTING IN A SUBMARINE.. WATER EVERYWHERE!
AS A METAL SMITH I REMEMBER NEVER BEING DONE WITH THE CHORE OF CORROSION CONTROL.
CHANGING AN OLEO STRUT WAS NOT FOR THE MEEK.
03/14/2008 @ 11:46 [ref: 20015]
 Jim Mahoney
 Cape Cod, MA
Had the honor to fly with "The Chief", John Perishing Greathouse (last enlisted pilot in any United States military service) as his flight mech many times from Elizabeth City N.C. in the "old Goat". This was in the late 60's and early 70's. It was a great old plane, really miss the water landings which they finally terminated do to structural issues. Chief Greathouse was the check pilot and all the Officers from the air station, air base, and those who flew desks in D.C had to answer to him and be qualified by him. He'd have no problem whatsoever in telling a pilot what he had done incorrectly. The pilots knew his ability and experience, he wore the HU-16 as a second flight suit. The Chief was always shown the upmost respect by all ranks.
There will be a ceremony at Mobile Air Station on March 31st 2008 with a historical wall hanging in the Master Chiefs honor.
03/13/2008 @ 07:27 [ref: 19999]
 Barry Ervin
 Norristown, PA
I believe Jimmy Buffett owns and flys an Albatross. It must be nice to be so rich! But I must say, he has good taste in airplanes. Citations and Gulfstreams are so boring.
01/16/2008 @ 17:45 [ref: 19328]

 

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