Grumman HU-16 Albatross
Grumman · United States · first flew 1949 · transport aircraft
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin-engine amphibious flying boat used primarily for open-ocean search and rescue, capable of landing on rough water to recover downed aircrew. It served with the US Air Force, US Navy, US Coast Guard, and numerous allied nations.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × piston, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Sponsons on fuselage sides for water stability |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Amphibious flying boat hull with high-set straight wing
- Twin Wright R-1820 radials above the wing
- Sponsons on fuselage sides for water stability
The large boat hull with pronounced keel, high-set wing carrying twin radials, and wing-mounted floats that retract into the wingtips are definitive. The sponson fairings along the lower fuselage sides aid stability on water.
Specifications
- The Grumman HU-16 Albatross has a length of 19.38 m (64 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
Entering service in 1949, the Albatross proved its worth during the Korean War with hundreds of combat rescues. It was upgraded throughout its service life and remained operational with some air forces into the 1990s, with civilian conversions still flying today.
Variants
Variants include the SA-16A (later HU-16A) for the USAF, UF-1/UF-2 for the Navy, and the SA-16B (HU-16B) with a lengthened wing for improved range. Civilian Albatross conversions remain in limited operation.
Where you'll see it
Served with the USAF, US Navy, USCG, and the air forces of Greece, Norway, Chile, and Japan among others; civilian Albatrosses are operated by private owners in the US and Caribbean.
Related aircraft
- Grumman CSR-110 Albatross
- Grumman HU-16A Albatross
- Grumman HU-16C Albatross
- Grumman HU-16E Albatross
- Beriev Be-6
- Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
- Douglas C-124C Globemaster II
- Fairchild C-119C Flying Boxcar
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