Grumman CSR-110 Albatross

Grumman · United States · first flew 1949 · transport aircraft

The CSR-110 Albatross is the Canadian designation for the Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibious flying boat, used by the Royal Canadian Air Force for search-and-rescue operations.

Recognition (WEFT)

W — Wings	High-mounted, straight
E — Engines	2 × piston, wing-mounted
F — Fuselage	18.67 m fuselage
T — Tail	Conventional

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Spot it by:

Canadian Armed Forces designation for the Grumman HU-16 Albatross amphibian
Twin R-1820 radials on high gull-wing, large boat hull with step
Retractable tricycle undercarriage in hull and engine nacelles

The gull-shaped high wing, large boat hull, twin radial nacelles, and retractable undercarriage in sponsons are definitive Albatross identifiers; the CSR-110 is visually identical to USAF and US Navy examples.

Specifications

The Grumman CSR-110 Albatross has a length of 18.67 m (61 ft).
It has a wingspan of 29.46 m (97 ft).
Its maximum speed is 380 km/h (236 mph).
Typical crew: 4-6.

Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.

History

Canada acquired Grumman Albatrosses as the CSR-110 for RCAF search-and-rescue squadrons, operating them from the late 1950s. The large amphibian could land on water or paved runways, making it ideally suited to SAR duties in Canada's varied geography. RCAF Albatrosses served until replaced by the Buffalo and Twin Otter in the SAR role.

Variants

The CSR-110 corresponds to the HU-16B Albatross with extended-span wings; it is equivalent to the USAF SA-16B and US Navy UF-2.

Where you'll see it

Served with RCAF Search and Rescue squadrons at Greenwood, Comox, and Trenton; Canada was one of several NATO nations to operate the Albatross.

Related aircraft

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