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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 |
| Nate graham, e-mail, 22.02.2011 07:35 My dad flew these awesome aircraft in Elizabeth city, nc, Bermuda, Kessler, San Juan, and Miami until retirement in74. He was an sheetmetalsmith. Airframe mechanic. reply | | Nate graham, e-mail, 22.02.2011 07:35 My dad flew these awesome aircraft in Elizabeth city, nc, Bermuda, Kessler, San Juan, and Miami until retirement in74. He was an sheetmetalsmith. Airframe mechanic. reply |
| travis, e-mail, 16.01.2011 17:50 Flew this aircraft out of Air station Miami with USCG in the late sixties and early seventies. Mostly foreign shipping documentation and SAR. Those jato bottle take offs were fun out of Biscayne Bay. Spent a lot of time in training with parachute flare deployment and the like. Flew in some pretty bad weather as I remember. Experiencing some major Tinnitus now and wonder if the old "hard wired" communication systems on these birds was harmful to us. Experienced a close proximity lightning strike while on patrol once with the cutter Androscoggin one stormy night that pretty near took of my head gear. These were LOUD aircraft. Jato bottle noise was a real treat. reply | | jeffery assad, e-mail, 13.01.2011 20:28 clark air base flew with major ladou danang reply | |
| | jeffery assad, e-mail, 13.01.2011 20:27 clark air base flew with major ladou danang reply | | George (Jay) Foreman, e-mail, 12.12.2010 11:33 Stationed USCG Port Angeles, WA DEC 1970 to MAR 73, when I transfered to USCGAS Los Angeles (helicopters only). Was AT3 and worked avionics - mainly TACAN - when not flying as radio operator / navigator or doing maintenance in the hangar. One of the three HU-16E's was always crammed in corner of the hangar undergoing some sort of inspection / overhaul. Our three Goats were the 7209 1243 and 2123. CG air service easily fit the old motto, "Hours of Boredom, punctuated by moments of sheer terror." Was working the radio room at LA Air when we got word of the 2123 crashing in the Gulf of Mexico. Crew of six died, including Harold Brown, a mech who transfered to Corpus Christi with the '23 when USCGAS Por Angeles went helo-only. Have a ramp photo of the 2123 with the entire air department posed in front of it. Any PA "Goat Herders" want a copy, drop me a note. reply | | Jerry Walterreit, e-mail, 30.11.2010 15:01 I was assigned to the 36th Air Rescue Squadron, Johnson AB, Japan from February to December 1959. It was my first assignment after completing my technical training in the instrument repair field. It has been a long time ago but I still have many fond memories of working on the SA-16's. reply | | William (Henry) Ford USAF Ret., e-mail, 29.11.2010 18:51 I was crew chief and Flight Mechanic on the SA-16A at RAF Moleworth in England 1954-1957. Served with the 582nd ARS. reply | | Gary Green, e-mail, 29.11.2010 07:46 AT Wheelus,May 64- Sept 65. 58TH Air Rescue Sq. Worked in the nose dock on the HU-16, fighting corrosion. Med salt water was tough on the old birds. Powered milk and powered eggs were tough also. Looking for all my friends and roommates plus base softball teammates. reply | | larry post, e-mail, 15.11.2010 20:28 I flew the Goat at air station cape cod from 1978-1982. Great plane, lots of fun. The only plane you could fly for 14 hours and go nowhere. We would land and take off from OTIS. reply | | CMSgt Frank Nollette, e-mail, 05.11.2010 05:53 Flew in SA-16's w /303rd ARS at Long Beach Muni Apt (ca. 1960?)before they moved to March AFB (now AFR) - then depoyed to Prestwick with them during Second 'Berlin Crisis' with SA-16s and SC-54s as well (augmenting 67th ARS). reply | | CMSgt Frank Nollette, e-mail, 05.11.2010 05:53 Flew in SA-16's w /303rd ARS at Long Beach Muni Apt (ca. 1960?)before they moved to March AFB (now AFR) - then depoyed to Prestwick with them during Second 'Berlin Crisis' with SA-16s and SC-54s as well (augmenting 67th ARS). reply | | joe tyler, e-mail, 26.10.2010 22:29 Great acft.flew as flt mech.31ARS clark AB pi 1957-60 and at
Naha AB OKINAWA from 1960-61.those were the best years of my
AF caree. Would like to here from anyone who mite have been
there. Joe Tyler reply | | Chuck Stephens, e-mail, 12.10.2010 02:31 I was Plane Captain on a UF-1T (maybe 2T) 1958 to 1961 at NAF Annapolis. WE had 12 or 13 Albatrosses, 33 N3N's and 1 Hup-2 helicopter. When I left in July of 1961, the HUP-2 never flew again. Shortly after that all the N3N's got shipped out on a barge and they closed the base 6 months later. Don't know if there was any connection there but there you go. I was assigned to the helicopter and one of the UF-2Ts. The T models were equipped to be flying classrooms for the midshipmen from the acccademy. I enjoyed that time at NAF Annapolis from late 1958 to 1961. Would like to hear from others stationed there during that time period. reply | |
| | Bob Hargreaves, e-mail, 29.09.2010 14:54 Hi, I was a 16 maintainer with the 33rd ARS in Okinawa 1959 through 1961, always been very proud to have served with the Air Rescue Service. reply | | Gene Suslowicz AL2, e-mail, 27.09.2010 00:16 Flew with CDR Charlie Tighe out of NOM 1953 /55. Most notable flight in the UF-1G's, besides numerous SAR's, was transporting Sect.of State John Foster Dulles and wife with two companions to a rendezvous with a three masted motor schooner in the Caribbean. Located the schooner on the APS31, landed in 3 foot seas. On the return, needed the JATO bottles to get airborne. All QSO'S with NOM on CW. Loved that ART13. Never lost communications.
Would welcome any contacts with those served at USCG Miami '53 to '55. reply | | Jim Kirkland, e-mail, 22.09.2010 11:36 I flew co-pilot with Ed LaDou and later Bob Voyles in 3rd Rescue out of K-16 near Seoul Korea in '51 and 52. Dumbo was a very special old bird that saved a lot of lives in the Korean hassle. It was originally ordered by the Navy and upon production, turned down by the Navy and the Air Force snapped it up for Air Rescue. Never did understand that. We would do water work in Tokyo Bay and taxied up once at the Navy's amphip ramp and the poor Navy guy's lusted after Dumbo, with its short field capabilities and reverse pitch while they still flew the old PBY for years after the '16 was produced. Go figure. Ed La Dou was the best water pilot in the Air Force in my opinion and he did some fantastic flying on combat missions under extremely difficult conditions of weather and sea. He later became Commandant of the West Palm Amphib School after Korea.
Sadly we lost Ed in November of 2008 from colon cancer. Would like to hear from any of the Flight A, Third Air Rescue Sq. and /or Detachment One at K-16 in '51 and '52.
Jim Kirkland, Baton Rouge, La.
P.S. For those that may not know, Jimmy Buffett has his own SA-16 Albatross which he flies himself. reply | | Maynard Englebrecht, e-mail, 16.09.2010 05:52 I flew the Sa16 at Ashiya 1956 to 1957. Was a great assignment and prepared me for a 26 year career. reply | | PJ Imhof, e-mail, 03.08.2010 06:01 Hello,
I am trying to get a picture of the UF / SA-16 that the USCG Det. Bermuda had in the Fall of 1961.
Any leads will be appreciated.
Thanks.
PJ Imhof reply | | TJ HARRIS CMSGT RET, e-mail, 18.08.2010 19:25 I WAS A CREW CHIEF 0N HU-16' AT EGLIN AFB,FL,48TH AIR RESCUE SQDN AND DANANG AB VIETNAM 37 ARRS 1966-1967.
LOVED THE AIRCRAFT . NOTHING LIKE LANDING IN THE OPEN SEAS.SAVED A FEW LIVES AND I LOST SOME GOOD FRIENDS IN VIETNAM. reply |
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Hi Nate, I used to fly in back on the "water temperature' flights as an MST out of E-City, Miami, Savannah, and Cape Cod. Of all the people we flew with, I particularly remember John Greathouse, AKA Juan Casagrande.
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