The story
Grumman flew the first Albatross in October 1947 and built 466. The US Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard used it mainly for search and rescue, and it served other air forces from Canada to Greece; the Hellenic Navy withdrew the last military examples in 1995. The Coast Guard made its final Albatross flight in March 1983. In the early 1980s Chalk's had 13 converted to G-111 airliners, and many ex-military airframes passed to private owners. Dozens remain on the US civil register, and a small number still fly.
On 4 July 1973 an Albatross climbed to 32,883 ft, a world altitude record for twin-engined amphibians.
Quick answers
How do you identify a HU-16 Albatross?
A deep boat hull on retractable wheels, two big radials on a high wing, a fixed float under each outer wing and a tall single fin. The radar radome on the nose gives it a blunt snout.
What does a HU-16 Albatross sound like?
Two nine-cylinder Cyclone radials: a heavy, rough rumble with a lot of propeller noise.
How fast is the HU-16 Albatross?
Top speed is 205 kts.
How many people does the HU-16 Albatross carry?
Typical configuration: Crew of 4-6.
How far can the HU-16 Albatross fly?
Range is about 2,480 nmi.
How big is the HU-16 Albatross?
It is 62 ft 10 in long and 96 ft 8 in across the wings.
When did the HU-16 Albatross first fly?
Its first flight was in 1947.
How many HU-16 Albatrosss have been built?
466 built.
How rare is a HU-16 Albatross in Bogey?
RARE. A good day. Most spotters go weeks between sightings of something this rare. Your first HU-16 Albatross catch is worth 250 points.
