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| Experience with the Grumman Goose, which served throughout World War II with great reliability, prompted the US Navy to procure a somewhat larger amphibian with greater range capability. In 1944 the company initiated design of its Grumman G-64 aircraft, which was to be named Albatross, and which saw service with the US Air Force, US Coast Guard and US Navy. The prototype was flown first on 24 October 1947, and was of generally similar configuration to its predecessor. Fixed underwing floats were retained, but these and the entire structure had been considerably refined to reduce drag. Other changes included the provision of a cantilever, instead of strut-braced, tailplane; tricycle type retractable landing gear; and pylons beneath the wing, outboard of the engines, which could carry weapons, or drop-tanks to increase range. Additional fuel could also be carried in the underwing floats. Accommodation was provided for a crew of four and the cabin could accommodate 10 passengers, stretchers, or cargo, according to requirements.
The prototype ordered by the US Navy for service as a utility aircraft had the designation XJR2F-1, and flew for the first time on 24 October 1947. Initial production was of the UF-1 model, and a modified version introduced in 1955 was the UF-2. This latter aircraft had increased span, a cambered wing leading edge, ailerons and tail surfaces of increased area, and more effective de-icing boots for all aerofoil leading edges. In the tri-service rationalisation of designations in 1962, these aircraft became HU-16C and HU-16D respectively. Winterised aircraft for Antarctic service were designated UF-1L (later LU-16C), and five UF-1T dual-control trainers were rede-signated TU-16C.
The USAF found the G-64 attractive for rescue operations, the majority of the 305 ordered serving with the MATS Air Rescue Service under the designation SA-16A. An improved version, equivalent to the US Navy's UF-2, entered service in 1957 as the SA-16B; in 1962 these became HU-16A and HU-16B respectively. HU-16E was the designation (originally UF-1G) of Albatross aircraft operated by the US Coast Guard, and 10 supplied to Canada were designated CSR-110. An anti-submarine version with nose radome, retractable MAD gear, ECM radome and searchlight was introduced in 1961, and was equipped to carry a small number of depth charges. The versatile Albatross continues in service with a few air forces and navies, but its powerful and fuel-hungry engines have meant that surplus aircraft which became available for use were not a particularly attractive proposition to airline operators, and in consequence few were adapted for such a role.
| CREW | 2-4 |
| PASSENGERS | 10-22 |
| ENGINE | 2 x Wright R-1820-76A, 1050kW |
| WEIGHTS |
| Take-off weight | 14500-17000 kg | 31967 - 37479 lb |
| Empty weight | 10350 kg | 22818 lb |
| DIMENSIONS |
| Wingspan | 29.5 m | 97 ft 9 in |
| Length | 19.2 m | 63 ft 0 in |
| Height | 7.9 m | 26 ft 11 in |
| Wing area | 96.2 m2 | 1035.49 sq ft |
| PERFORMANCE |
| Max. speed | 379 km/h | 236 mph |
| Cruise speed | 360 km/h | 224 mph |
| Ceiling | 7600 m | 24950 ft |
| Range w/max.fuel | 5000 km | 3107 miles |
| ARMAMENT | bombs, missiles, torpedos |
| John, e-mail, 04.10.2013 16:17 I flew on them out of the P.I.between 64&65.Good old plane then and now reply | | John, e-mail, 04.10.2013 16:15 Can anyone tell Me what radar system the hu-16 was running in the 1960'sI suffer from CSM(can't remember sh-t reply | | john moran, e-mail, 01.08.2013 00:55 s worse. believe this was one reason wings were extended to
furnish better lift after this event. reply | | Scott Milton, e-mail, 17.04.2013 04:01 My uncle was one of the men lost (Eckley Powlus) when their Coast Guard Albatross crashed in the Gulf of Mexico on a rescue mission. He was the radio operator. I am trying to see the layout of the interior to see where he sat. Does anyone have a drawing of the layout of the interior ? Thank you, Scott. Ifly1956@yahoo.com reply | |
| | Klaatu83, e-mail, 08.03.2013 19:28 Unlike the Catalina and Mariner, this aircraft was designed from the outset to be an amphibian. The result may not have been the most glamorous of aircraft, but then the Albatross was designed with versatility, durability and practicality in mind, rather than high performance. A total of 466 examples were built over a period of a dozen years, and they served in a wide variety of roles in over twenty different countries, from the arctic to the equator. reply | | Steve Fowler, e-mail, 06.03.2013 02:28 I flew in the goat at CGAS Corpus Christi Tx. 1972-75 I was AM3 and plane Cpt. Made 1 water landing when I couldn't figure out how to prime the hand pump..Got a little flak for that. Still the time of my life. reply | | George Howe, e-mail, 16.12.2012 16:43 I flew many missions with the SA in NAM, as photo cameraman. in Oct 1966 we rescued two fliers from the water somewhere east of Hanoi , the photo made 49 stateside papers the next day.we were stationed at DA NANG, VietNam. didint realize we had been shot at till we got "home"..My favorite aircraft. reply | | Ed Callahan, e-mail, 07.12.2012 03:14 Flew GOATS at U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod 1980-1985 The last one decommissioned was the 7250 in 1983. A sad day for us all, things never were the same after that. Would love to contact anyone involved at hangar 128 USCG Air Station Cape Cod. Anyone remember Tim Shockly's poem? reply | | Loelfenwick@gmail.com, e-mail, 03.12.2012 02:30 How come there's no mention of the Grumman G73 Mallard?
The first dedicated multi-engine executive transport, the second aircraft certified in the CAR4 transport category and the most beautiful seaplane that ever flew! reply | | Dick Strohmeyer, e-mail, 05.09.2012 04:22 Hardly qualified to speak much about a great old airplane, but there are two of them active in Alaska. One is based at the Wasilla airport and the other is in Anchorage. I have never flown in either one YET. At times we get to see them in the air and it is wonderful. reply | | Larry Zaker, e-mail, 03.08.2012 20:13 Flew as a Coast Guard Flight Mechanic at CGAS Cape Cod from 1978-1980. Great plane to cut my teeth on, though New England weather in the winter was a bit rough in the back of that plane. reply | | Zippo, 25.06.2012 00:01 Mexico have a some Albatross. Received in 1976, they have the missions of SAR and ASW. Still in service until 1986, withdraw in choice of the MBB Bo 105. reply | | mandowil@hotmail.com, e-mail, 05.05.2012 23:37 Checked out as SAR Aircrewman on the Albatross at Midway Islands in 1963.Have many hours flying Duckbutts nd SAR missions and training flights. A fine aircraft but very noisyduring a flight. Nice plane to maintain. I was an ADR-1 at that time. reply | | Val, e-mail, 29.02.2012 21:06 Greetings, sorry for the slow response. I believe that Chalk' like Catalina Air here in SoCal revolved around corrosion issues on the airframe. Of course, that nasty accident, Chslk's in Florida ended up killing their airworthiness certificate leading to permanent grounding of their Grumman fleet. Kinda sad, as I had intended to go to FL for a last time ride in memoriam of my being picked up off the coast of North Viet Nam (Vinh) by the wonderful guys based at Da Nang, 27th ARRS, I think, on 27 April 1967. Dont think engine failures were an issue, that I know of, pretty sure airframe corrosion was the culprit. FWIW, the Navy spends as much money on airframe corrosion yearly to buy a new squadron of F /!8's! At least that was what I was told by an E-8 AMS CPO some years ago. reply | |
| | Bill Rohrbach, e-mail, 28.02.2012 23:45 I flew as the flight mechanic /plane captian of the HU16 at CGAS Kodiak during 68-69, then again at CGAD Quonsett Pt. from 69 to 70 and finally at CGAS Cape cod from 70 to 71. Great plane to fly in and lots of fun to work on; except the rudder boost and the vacuum relief valves for the deicing boots. I really enjoyed the water landings except one at night in the soup at Dutch Harbor. Fortunately we had the best radar man in the CG onboard that night, AT Lucas. Cheers to all my "herdsman" brothers; that was indeed the "Old Guard" reply |
| George Maroney, e-mail, 11.02.2012 21:42 Worked and flew in the Goats for 17 years in the Coast Guard. Got to fly in one 4 years ago at the Sea Plane splash in at Gaylord Mi.Steve V was one of my students at the Coast Guard Mechanic school. GREAT BIRD Brought me back from some nasty places in Alaska. Changed an engine in Cold Bay Alaska and lived in a WWII quonset hut. reply | | Jack Hoyt, e-mail, 10.02.2012 23:33 Any former members of the 56th ARS Sidi Slimane Morocco 1954 - 1956 still around? Reply here or email reply | | John Gould, e-mail, 05.02.2012 12:10 Our crew picked up a new SA-16B at the Grumand Plant in 1956. The trip from Goose bay with an older model A with all the good parts exchanged with junk. Got over Long Island, NY to sit down on Grumands runway. had to circle for 30 mins. to hand crank the gear down.Very low on fuel, landed. Great trip though.Very safe AC but all of them had one problem. APU would catch on fire and fill the interior with thick smoke.Many great stories.I was the RO. We to SAC after that into Air refueling. The KC-97 and 135 had no roance. Longed to be back at the Goose with a fine AC.Joined the Army later. I will always have this image of sitting behind the co-pilot. Enjoyed fishing from the wings while sitting on a small lake somewhere. I am 75 now but mems. are still strong.I now live in Indiana and finally retired 9 mos. ago.I have 2 hobbies. Making pottery and brewing fine beer. reply | | selina, e-mail, 13.01.2012 14:28 i am using this great plane in holland for roundtrips.
I go often to th e ijsselmeer and land in the water.
the people loved it.
i am very happy with this plane.
I do go on a private holiday with it.
greatins
Selas air service reply | | joe tyler, e-mail, 14.12.2011 03:54 Great acft. flt eng. sa-16a and sa-16b 31st ARS clark AB PI
1957-1960. ARS NAHA AB Okinawa 1960-1961 reply |
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Bill I am searching supporting the coast guard with research for their operations at Quonset Point, Salem, and Cape Cod and came across your remarks on an online forum. Would you be willing to share information with me?
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