The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large twin–radial engine amphibious seaplane that was used by the United States Air Force (USAF), the U.S. Navy (USN) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), primarily as a search and rescue 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.
Manufacturer: Grumman
First flight: October 24, 1947
Introduction: 1949
Retired: 1995 (Hellenic Navy)
Status: retired
Produced: 1949–1961
Number built: 466
General characteristics
Crew: 4-6
Capacity: 10 passengers
Length: 62 ft 10 in (19.15 m)
Wingspan: 96 ft 8 in (29.46 m)
Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
Wing area: 1,035 sq ft (96.2 m2)
Airfoil: NACA 23017[86]
Empty weight: 22,883 lb (10,380 kg)
Gross weight: 30,353 lb (13,768 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 37,500 lb (17,010 kg)
Fuel capacity: 675 US gal (562.1 imp gal; 2,555.2 l) internal fuel + 400 US gal (333.1 imp gal; 1,514.2 l) in wingtip floats + two 300 US gal (249.8 imp gal; 1,135.6 l) drop tanks
Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-1820-76A Cyclone 9 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines, 1,425 hp (1,063 kW) each for take-off
1,275 hp (951 kW) normal rating from sea level to 3,000 ft (914 m)
Propellers: 3-bladed Hamilton Standard constant-speed fully-feathering reversible-pitch propellers
Performance
Maximum speed: 236 mph (380 km/h, 205 kn)
Cruise speed: 124 mph (200 km/h, 108 kn)
Stall speed: 74 mph (119 km/h, 64 kn)
Range: 2,850 mi (4,590 km, 2,480 nmi)
Service ceiling: 21,500 ft (6,600 m)
Rate of climb: 1,450 ft/min (7.4 m/s)
