Grumman HU-16 Albatross by Charles Stafrace

Grumman HU-16 Albatross

This book by Charles Stafrace is devoted to the rugged amphibian that pulled castaways out of the open sea for decades. It is a publication, so the buyer receives no modeling material.

An amphibian for rescue at sea

The Albatross followed on from the older flying boats of the same brand, but it was markedly larger and it got retractable landing gear, so it could come down on water and on an ordinary runway alike. A pair of radial engines gave it the endurance needed for long search flights over the ocean, and the solid structure of the hull could take a touchdown on a restless surface. The US Air Force, the Navy and the Coast Guard used it in rescue missions in Korea and in Southeast Asia, where it lifted out a number of downed crews. Retired machines later passed to other countries and some of them ended their service in civilian hands.

The main areas of the account

• The development of the type and its relationship to the older flying boats
• The amphibious layout and the behavior of the machine on the water
• Rescue operations over the sea and their results
• Users outside the American armed services
• The civilian career of retired machines after they left military service

Reader focus

The publication will be appreciated by builders of water-based aircraft who need reliable reference on the details of the hull, the floats and the rescue equipment. It is also interesting for readers with a liking for the history of the search and rescue service. It helps in deciding which period and which service to choose for your model.