The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large, twin-radial enginedamphibiousflying boat that was used by the United States Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and the Royal Canadian Air Force primarily as a search and rescue (SAR) aircraft. Originally designated as the SA-16 for the USAF and the JR2F-1 and UF-1 for the USN and USCG, it was redesignated as the HU-16 in 1962.
An improvement of the design of the Grumman Mallard, the Albatross was developed to land in open-ocean situations to accomplish rescues. Its deep-V hull cross-section and keel length enable it to land in the open sea. The Albatross was designed for optimal 4-foot (1.2m) seas, and could land in more severe conditions, but required JATO (jet-assisted takeoff, or simply booster rockets) for takeoff in 8–10-foot (2.4–3.0m) seas or greater.
The Albatross initially carried an APS-31A radar in a pod on the left wing. However, the position meant the fuselage blocked the ability of the radar to search to the right of the aircraft, so it was moved to the nose on later SA-16As.[2]
Operational history
A USAF SA-16A during the Korean WarGrumman HU-16 Albatross at MacDill AFB Florida 1951 or early 1952
Most Albatrosses were used by the United States Air Force (USAF), primarily in the search and rescue (SAR) mission role, and initially designated as SA-16. The USAF utilized the SA-16 extensively in Korea for combat rescue, earning a reputation as a rugged and seaworthy craft. Later, the redesignated HU-16B (long-wing variant) Albatross was used by the United States Air Force Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service and saw extensive combat service during the Vietnam War. In addition, a small number of Air National Guard air commando groups were equipped with HU-16s for covert infiltration and extraction of special forces from 1956 to 1971.[3] Other examples of the HU-16 made their way into Air Force Reserve rescue and recovery units prior to its retirement from USAF service.
In July 1952, an SA-16 from the 58th Air Rescue Squadron rescued 32 survivors of a British DC-3 that had crashed in the Mediterranean Sea. The pilot, Capt. Kendrick U. Reeves, would later receive the Cheney Award for his actions.[4]
In October 1957, an SA-16B flew to a position 120 nautical miles south-southeast from Sardinia to pick up a F-100 pilot. After recovering the pilot, it was determined that takeoff was impossible due to damage from the landing, and the aircraft taxied 45 nautical miles towards Bizerte, Tunisia before being taken in tow by a French corvette for the remainder of the trip. This set the Air Force record for the longest taxi time from water to dry land.[5]
As part of the International Ice Patrol, in 1958 and 1959, Coast Guard UF-2Gs dropped Mk 35 and Mk 36 incendiary bombs on icebergs.[6][7]
On 24 May 1962, an Air Force SA-16 was launched to assist in the recovery of the Aurora 7 space capsule and astronaut Scott Carpenter. Despite arriving on scene ahead of two Navy Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King helicopters, the Albatross was instructed not to land by the recovery force commander due to concerns over its ability to take off again in heavy seas.[a] A minor controversy later arose over whether the decision was motivated by interservice rivalry.[8][9]
In February 1964, an Air Force HU-16B sent to retrieve the nose cone of a missile fired from Cape Kennedy Air Force Station ran out of fuel after rough seas forced it to attempt to taxi back to land. As no nearby ships carried aviation gasoline, a fuel truck was lashed to the deck of the USCGCHollyhock, the aircraft was refuelled, and it was finally able to take off after five days on the ocean's surface.[10]
On 14 March 1966, an HU-16B, serial number 51-071, attempted a rescue of the crew of an F-4C that had ejected over the Gulf of Tonkin. After landing to pick up the pilot, the aircraft was struck by a mortar round fired from the nearby shore, killing the radio operator and seriously injuring the flight mechanic. The aircraft then sank, drowning the pararescueman, who was tethered to it. The pilot, copilot, flight mechanic, navigator and both F-4 crew were later rescued by H-3 helicopters. The navigator, Captain Donald Price, was later awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions.[11]
Three days later, on 17 March 1966, an HU-16 was involved in the recovery of Gemini 8.[12]
The final US Navy HU-16 flight was made 13 August 1976, when an Albatross was delivered to the National Naval Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola, Florida.[14]
The final USCG HU-16 flight was at Otis Air National Guard Base in Cape Cod in March 1983, when the aircraft type was retired by the USCG. The Albatross continued to be used in the military service of other countries, the last being retired by the Hellenic Navy of Greece in 1995.
The Pakistan Air Force operated 4 SA-16As from 1958 to 1968, which it received under the Mutual Defense Assistance Act. No. 4 Squadron was equipped with them while based at Drigh Road Air Base. The SA-16s were used for maritime reconnaissance and coastal patrol during the 1965 War with India. At least one SA-16 was on patrol during the 17-day war, flying fourteen missions in support of the Pakistan Navy. They were stored on August 19, 1968.[15][16]
The Indonesian Air Force operated 8 UF-1 acquired in 1958 and 4 ex-West German Navy UF-2S acquired in 1977,[17][18] all were assigned to the 5th Air Squadron and were retired in the 1980s.[19] The Indonesian Navy also operated two ex-USN UF-2 received in 1960.[20][17] Five UF-1 of the 5th Air Squadron were deployed in the frontline airfields during the Operation Trikora in 1962. They were utilized for various roles, including maritime patrol, search and rescue, weather observation, and forward air control. One of them went missing and was presumed to have crashed into the sea after entering cumulonimbus cloud during a SAR mission on 17 May 1962. Two Indonesian Navy's UF-2 were also deployed to Maluku Islands during Operation Trikora.[21] Three Grumman Albatrosses from the Indonesian Air Force took part in the 1975 invasion of East Timor for maritime patrol role. Due to shortage of ground attack aircraft in the initial stage of the invasion, the Albatross was modified so it could be armed with 12.7mm M2 Browning machine guns, bombs and rockets. The Albatross was only used once for a ground attack mission.[22]
Chalk's International Airlines Albatross arriving in Miami Harbor from Nassau, Bahamas, in 1987
In the mid-1960s, the United States Department of the Interior acquired three military Grumman HU-16s from the USN and established the Trust Territory Airlines in the Pacific to serve the islands of Micronesia. Pan American World Airways and finally Continental Airlines' Air Micronesia operated the Albatrosses serving Yap, Palau, Chuuk (Truk), and Pohnpei from Guam until 1970, when adequate island runways were built, allowing land operations.
Many surplus Albatrosses were sold to civilian operators, mostly to private owners. These aircraft are operated under either Experimental-Exhibition or Restricted category and cannot be used for commercial operations, except under very limited conditions.
In the early 1980s, Chalk's International Airlines, owned by Merv Griffin's Resorts International, had 13 Albatrosses converted to Standard category as G-111s. This made them eligible for use in scheduled airline operations. These aircraft underwent extensive modifications from the standard military configuration, including rebuilt wings with titanium wing spar caps, additional doors and modifications to existing doors and hatches, stainless steel engine oil tanks, dual engine fire extinguishing systems on each engine, and propeller auto-feather systems installed. The G-111s were operated for only a few years and then put in storage in Arizona. Most are still parked there, but some have been returned to regular flight operations with private operators.
Cockpit of Grumman Albatross N44RD which flew around the world in 1997
Satellite technology company Row 44, now known as Anuvu, bought an HU-16B Albatross (registration N44HQ)[23] in 2008 to test its in-flight satellite broadband internet service. Named Albatross One, the company selected the aircraft for its operations because it has the same curvature atop its fuselage as the Boeing 737 aircraft for which the company manufactures its equipment. The plane purchased by Row 44 was used at one time as a training aircraft for space shuttle astronauts by NASA. It features the autographs of the astronauts who trained aboard the plane on one of the cabin walls.[24][25]
In 1997, a Grumman Albatross (N44RD), piloted by Reid Dennis and Andy Macfie, became the first Albatross to circumnavigate the globe. The 26,347 nmi flight around the world lasted 73 days, included 38 stops in 21 countries, and was completed with 190 hours of flight time.[26] In 2013 Reid Dennis donated N44RD to the Hiller Aviation Museum.[27]
Since the aircraft weighs over 12,500 pounds, pilots of civilian US-registered Albatross aircraft must have a type rating. A yearly Albatross fly-in is held at Boulder City, Nevada, where Albatross pilots can become type-rated.
Proposed new build
Amphibian Aerospace Industries in Darwin, Australia, acquired the type certificate and announced in December 2021 that it planned to commence manufacturing a new version of the Albatross from 2025. Dubbed the G-111T, it would have modern avionics and Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67Fturboprop engines, with variants for passengers, freight, search and rescue, coastal surveillance, and aeromedical evacuation.[28][29][30]
Variants
An XJR2F-1 prototype at NAS Patuxent River in the 1940sSome SA-16s were equipped with skis on the pontoons and a retractable keel in the hull as part of a "triphibian" system that allowed them to operate off of land, water or snow
On 24 January 1952, SA-16A Albatross, 51-001, c/n G-74,[68] of the 580th Wing of the Air Resupply And Communications Service (described as a Central Intelligence Agency air unit), on cross-country flight from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, to San Diego, California, suffered failure of the port engine over Death Valley. The crew of six successfully bailed out around 18:30. Two were injured upon landing and stayed where they were while the other four walked south some 14 miles (23km) to Furnace Creek, California.[69] A search and rescue team returned to the landing spot and retrieved the injured two and all six were picked up the following day by an SA-16 from the 42nd Air Rescue Squadron, March AFB, California. The abandoned SA-16 crashed into Towne Summit mountain ridge of the Panamint Range west of Stovepipe Wells with the starboard engine still running. The wreckage is still there.[70][71][72]
On 16 May 1952, a U.S. Navy Grumman Albatross attached to the Iceland Defense Force crashed on Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland. Due to bad weather conditions, rescuers did not make it to the crash site until two and a half days later. One crew member was found dead in the wreckage, but the other four were not found despite extensive search. Evidence on scene suggested that they had tried to deploy the emergency radio, but most likely failed due to very poor weather conditions, and then tried to walk down the glacier.[73] In 1964, partial remains of one of the crewmembers along with an engraved wedding ring were found at the rim of the glacier.[74] On 20 August 1966, the remains of the three remaining crew members were found at a similar location.[75][76]
On 18 May 1957, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 1278, stalled and crashed during a JATO demonstration during the Armed Forces Day display at Coast Guard Air Station Salem. The pilot and another crewman were killed. The stall was caused by pilot error.[77]
On 22 August 1957, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 1259, crashed during takeoff at Floyd Bennett Field, killing 4 of the 6 crew on board. The aircraft had just completed an inspection in which the control columns were removed and inspected for fatigue cracks. Although not proven, it is believed that poor maintenance during the re-installation of the control columns led to the crash.[78]
On 3 July 1964, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 7233, was lost along with all five crew members as it returned from a search for a missing fishing boat. Two days later, the wreckage was found on a mountainside, 3 miles (4.8km) from its base at Air Station Annette, Alaska.[79]
On 18 June 1965, on the first Operation Arc Light mission flown by B-52 Stratofortresses of Strategic Air Command to hit a target in South Vietnam, two aircraft collided in the darkness. Eight crew were killed, but four survivors were located and picked up by an HU-16A-GR Albatross amphibian, AF serial number 51-5287. The Albatross was damaged on take-off by a heavy sea state, and those on board had to transfer to a Norwegian freighter and a Navy vessel, the aircraft sinking thereafter.[80]
On 9 January 1966, a Republic of China Air Force HU-16 carrying three mainland Chinese naval defectors, two officers of the Defense Ministry and four officers of the Matsu Defense Command,[81] was shot down by communist MiGs over the Taiwan Straits, just hours after they had surrendered their landing ship and asked for asylum. The Albatross was attacked just 15 minutes after departing the island of Matsu on a 135 miles (217km) flight to Taipei. According to a U.S. Defense Department announcement, the attack was a swift—and perhaps intentional—retribution for the communist sailors who killed seven fellow crew members during their predawn escape to freedom.[82]
On 23 April 1966, a Royal Canadian Air Force Grumman CSR-110 Albatross (9302) serving with No. 121 Composite Unit (KU) at RCAF Station Comox, BC crashed on the Hope Slide near Hope, BC. It was the only RCAF Albatross loss. Five of the six crew members died (Squadron Leader J. Braiden, Flying Officer Christopher J. Cormier, Leading Aircraftsman Robert L. McNaughton, Flight Lieutenant Phillip L. Montgomery, and Flight Lieutenant Peter Semak). Flying Officer Bob Reid was the sole survivor. A portion of the wreckage is still visible and can be hiked to.
On 5 March 1967, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 1240, c/n G-61, out of Coast Guard Air Station St. Petersburg, Florida, deployed to drop a dewatering pump to a sinking 40-foot (12m) yacht, Flying Fish, in the Gulf of Mexico off of Carrabelle, Florida. Shortly after making a low pass behind the sinking vessel to drop the pump, the flying boat crashed a short distance away, with loss of all six crew. The vessel's crew heard a loud crash, but could see nothing owing to fog. The submerged wreck was not identified until 2006.[85][86]
On 15 June 1967, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 7237, was based at Coast Guard Air Station Annette Island, in Alaska. The crew was searching near Sloko Lake, British Columbia, Canada, for a missing light plane. The pilot began following the river up to Sloko Lake, intending to turn around at the lake and fly back out of the valley. The co-pilot called for a right turn, but for some reason, the plane went left. According to reports, the co-pilot shouted, “Come right! Come right!” The plane hit the mountain, and burst into flames. The three observers in the back were able to get clear of the wreckage, and reported seeing an intense fire engulf the front half of the aircraft. Pilot Lt. Robert Brown, co-pilot Lt. David Bain, and radio operator AT2 Robert Striff, Jr., however, were killed. The wreckage can still be seen on the side of the mountain in Atlin Provincial Park.[87]
On 7 August 1967, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 2128, c/n G-355, (ex-USAF SA-16A, 52-128), out of CGAS San Francisco, returning from a search mission for an overdue private cabin cruiser Misty (which had run out of fuel) in the Pacific Ocean off of San Luis Obispo, struck a slope of Mount Mars near the Monterey-San Luis Obispo County line, about 0.5 miles (0.80km) east of Highway 1. The airframe broke in two, killing two crew immediately and injuring four others, with one dying in the hospital several days later.[88]
On 21 September 1973, U.S. Coast Guard HU-16E Albatross, Coast Guard 2123, was lost over the Gulf of Mexico. The crew was dropping flares over a search area when one flare ignited inside the aircraft, incapacitating the pilots, which led the aircraft to enter an uncontrollable spin. All seven on board were killed.[79]
On 23 January 1986, Indonesian Air Force HU-16A Albatross number IR-0222 crashed into the water at Makassar harbor during an attempted emergency landing. Five out of 8 crew were killed in the accident. The wreckage also blocked the harbor and delaying a Pelni liner from docking.[89]
On 5 November 2009, Albatross N120FB of Albatross Adventures crashed shortly after take-off from St. Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida. An engine failed shortly after take-off; the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.[90]
USAF 51-5282 – HU-16B on static display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. This was USAF's last operational HU-16. On 4 July 1973, it established a world record for twin-engined amphibians when it reached 32,883 feet and was transferred to the Air Force Museum two weeks later.[106]
USAF 51-5291 – HU-16B on static display at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.[107]
3-view line drawing of the Grumman SA-16A Albatross
3-view line drawing of the Grumman UF-2 Albatross
Data from Albatross: Amphibious Airborne Angel,[123] United States Navy Aircraft since 1911,[124] Jane's All the World's Aircraft 1958-59[125] Grumman Albatross: A History of the Legendary Seaplane[126]
↑ Chamberland, Dennis (January 1989). "Splashdown!". Proceedings. Vol.115, no.1. United States Naval Institute. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
↑ Hodge, John D.; Kranz, Eugene F.; Hayes, William C. (1962). "Mission Operations". Results of the Second U.S. Manned Orbital Space Flight May 24, 1962. NASA Special Publication (Report). Vol.6. Manned Spacecraft Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. p.32. Bibcode:1962NASSP...6...27H. SP-6. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
↑ Mutza, Wayne (1996). Grumman Albatross: A History of the Legendary Seaplane. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. pp.34–35. ISBN0-88740-913-X.
↑ Mutza, Wayne (1996). Grumman Albatross: A History of the Legendary Seaplane. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. pp.39–42. ISBN0-88740-913-X.
↑ Gemini Program Mission Report: Gemini VIII(PDF) (Report). Houston, Texas: Manned Spacecraft Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 29 April 1966. pp.6–33. MSC-G-R-66-4. Retrieved 24 April 2025.
↑ "Grumman HU-16B Albatross". National Museum of the United States Air Force. May 29, 2015. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
↑ Grossnick, Roy A. "Part 10: The Seventies 1970–1980"(PDF). United States Naval Aviation 1910–1995. Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Center Department of the Navy. pp.279–330.
↑ Sumbodo, Sudiro (26 July 2022). "Lahirnya Rajawali Laut". aviahistoria.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 October 2024.
↑ Djati, Pungky Purnomo; etal. (1996). Perjuangan AURI dalam Trikora[Indonesian Air Force's Struggle during Trikora] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Indonesian Air Force Headquarters. pp.50, 56, 64, 65, 152.
↑ Subroto, Hendro (2005). Operasi Udara di Timor Timur[Air Operations in East Timor] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Pustaka Sinar Harapan. pp.9, 51. ISBN979-416-837-8.
↑ Schlight, John (1988). The War in South Vietnam: The Years of the Offensive, 1965-1968 (The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia). Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force. p.52. ISBN0-912799-51-X.
↑ "Migs [sic] Shoot Down Unarmed Chinese Plane". Playground Daily News. Vol.19, no.342. Fort Walton Beach, FL. United Press International. 10 January 1966. p.2.
↑ "Grumman HU-16B Albatross". National Museum of the US Air Force. 29 May 2015. Archived from the original on 26 September 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
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