US Air Force Grumman HU-16C Albatross
MODEL BY:
G. Davis
Model Scale:
1/72
MODEL ADDED:
09/13/1983
historical significance
First Albuquerque Visit: 1960
Additional Information:
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross is a large, twin–radial engine amphibious seaplane that was used by the United States Air Force (USAF), the United States Navy (USN), along with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), as a search and rescue aircraft. The Albatross was originally designated the SA-16 for the USAF, the JR2F-1 for the USN, and the UF-1 for the USCG. It was re-designated the HU-16 for all services in 1962.
The Albatross, an improvement to the design of the Grumman Mallard, was developed to land in the water to accomplish rescues. With its deep-V hull cross-section and keel length, the Albatross was able it to land on the open sea.
Most Albatrosses were used by the USAF and was deployed extensively in Korea for combat rescue, where it earned a reputation as a rugged and seaworthy aircraft. The Albatross was operated primarily by the USAF’s Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service and also saw extensive combat service during the Vietnam War.
The Albatross was not stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico as most of its mission was for water search and rescue operations. However, when needed, the Albatross was called up throughout the 1950’s and 60’s to assist in local searches of downed aircraft or lost people around the state.
An Albatross is on static display at Kirtland AFB and is part of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service air park created by the1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing (1550 ATTW) when they were assigned to Kirtland AFB. The 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing (1550 ATTW) moved to Kirtland AFB on 20 February 1976 and was re-designated the 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing (1550 CCTW) on 15 May 1984. The unit was inactivated on 1 October 1991 and the training mission was transferred to the 542d Crew Training Wing (542 CTW). The 542d was inactivated on 1 April 1994 and the mission was transferred to the current flying mission of Kirtland AFB, the 58th Special Operations Wing (SOW).
Another Albatross is seen on Kirtland Air Force Base’s apron in the 1960’s.
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