My new email is now homebrewer7@gmail.com My comment is above and still looking to lacate anyone stationed at Goose Bay 1955-57. I spent my time in the usaf and then went into the army but my favoite time was with the 54th ARS as RO. John still in Payson, AZ

I spent three glorious years at USCG Air Station at Annette ALaska (1969-19720). I ended up an AT1, flew as a navigator on HU16Es (7228 & 7254). Every week we flew an Alaska Patrol 800 miles up the coast to Kayak Island, one mile off shore on the way up and 60 miles offshore on the way back, usually under 100' in altitude. It was wonderful! Once in a blue moon we would catch a fishing violator, orbit them until relieved by a C130 out of Kodiak, then go to the nearest airport, usually Sitka, and end up in a bar full of fishermen in search of something to eat at two in the moring. When they heard about the violator, they would line up the drinks up till dawn. Annette was very close to heaven.

Richard Butler

Hi, I'm researching the history of HU-16D BuNo 137899. Originally built as a UF-1 and delivered in 1954 At some point it would have received the long wing conversion as it is listed as a HU-16D. Disappeared/Crashed in Caroline Islands but I do not know the date... Any help is most appreciated!

Cheers,
Robert

Yessss....As soon as I can put the $3m it will take to do it right. I'm gonna saddle up with a legend. I'm liken the plane gussied up in Blue Angels colors #00 (double goose eggs).

I can't hear you........what did you say? Oh, yes I'm wearing hearing aids.......why? Because like Jim Osborn I flew the UF -1G, UF-2G, HU-16.....whatever they called them
.....for 5000+ hours. Spending a tour where we did an abundant amount of water work brings the plane close to your heart (once you learn how easy it is to overcome a wild porpoise). As an aircraft maintenance officer working with some of the best people in the world, we knew that, treated right, it would bring you home.

I flew the HU16E (UF2G) for the entire decade of the 60's and mostly off of the water. Water landings and take offs were a real blast that provided any number of adrenaline rushes (especially night and rough water work). When the Coast Guard restricted the HU16E to just land use because of some wing spar corrosion, the Albatross lost most of its allure to me and simply became a VERY noisy beast of burden. Overall many fond memories. If anyone buys one and needs some help ferrying it, give me a jingle.

I was a navigator in the SA16 in the 39th Air Rescue Squadron at Ashiya AFB Kyushu Japan. 1956-57. It was a fun time. The B model went 10 knots faster than the A model at the same weight and power setting. Would like to hear from anybody who was there in that period.

I was a Coast Guard AT2 stationed on Annette Island, Alaska, from 1969-1972 and flew both as radio operator and as navigator throughout the Gulf of Alaska during those years. JATO takeoffs from Ward Cove in Ketchikan were a real experience. When you land on water, the aft windows were under water. We flew a rescue mission to Baranoff Island in January once and one of the props froze in reverse. It took awhile to break it loose. Lost an engine on the way home, radar became intermittent because the antenna jumped the stops, and we couldn't maintain altitude. We barely cleared the landing lights on approach.
I have a painting of an Albartoss above my desk in my office. Nobody can truly appreciate the risk Coasties take unless they've been through weather no one would fly in except us.

I've lived most of my life in Greenland and worked many years in the aviation business. Also heard many stories, especially when USAF was stationed in Greenland. We heard about a SA-16 that have crashed in a lake in Sondre Stromfjord (Bluei West) in 1960 and have never been seen since. In 2005 we located it at greats depths and went for a dive. We found it and it's condition was good allthough it was split in two. If any of you guys have any information about the Albatross or have some friends who have been there, or some friends that know some friends I would appriciate if you would contact me. Kind Regards, Johan

Hi Craig, been a long time. The one in E-City was second to last and I believe is 7243(please correct me if I'm wrong). I was a Flight Mechanic / aircrew on the "Goats" starting in 1976 and my last flight on 9 Mar 1983, the day before they retired the 7250(last one). Loved every second aloft even with 2 engines out... (not enough room here for that story)

I have two HU-16 Bush Pilot/Crewmember Goose Bay, Canada patches that I've had since 1977. I am trying to find out what unit wore them.I'm not sure that I can attach an image to this e-mail. If I can, I will, if not, I can do so later if requested.

1952 through 1967 I had been flying and parachuting first from SA-16 and then from HU-16 Air Rescue Service aircraft (then replaced in out unit with HC-97, the 'Cadillac of the Air'. The SA/Hu-16 was the 'cat's meow'! I always felt very safe in it, even during extreme conditions.

Info above generally accurate, with a few exceptions. No Air Forces or Navies still operate Albatrosses, the last were the Greeks, they had 14, parked their last in the mid '90's. The airplanes were never civilian certificated so can not be used "as is" for any kind of work for compensation or hire. 13 airplanes were converted by Resorts International back in the '80's to Standard Category ($3.5M each) and were used for a while by Chalks Airlines in FAR 121 airline operations. About 30+ airplanes flying/flyable and another 15-20 that could easily be made so. Rest are in museums, displays (including Jimmy Buffet's) and will likely never fly again. Contact me if you really want one. But this is not a cheap proposition. You REALLY have to want one and have $$$ to do this. BTW, the long wing version was all about single engine performance. SE service ceiling with the short wing was SEA LEVEL at 33K lbs. SE service ceiling with the long wing at same weight is 8000'. However, long wing airplanes have structural issues that short wings don't.

I was assigned to the 58th Air Rescue Squadron (Unit changed to Air Rescue and Recovery Sqdn in 1966) Wheelus AB, Tripoli, Libya 2/64 - 2/67. Was a radio operator on HU-16B's. When I got there the HF/SSB radio on the airplanes was a Collins KWM-2A using a Johnson Matchbox for antenna loading. Had to stand up on the RO seat and face back to the top of the bulkhead across the isle to load the antenna every time we change frequency. The tuning dials on the Matchbox kept vibrating out of position, so it was a constant battle to stay on frequency. What a HOOT! We finally got the 618T to replace it. Most of us just stuck to the old AN/ARC-8 when we could get by without SSB. Many memorable missions that tour. Very trustworthy airplane in the hands of our great pilots.

I was stationed at Otis ANG Base on Cape Cod from 80 - 82 and I was one of the last military aircrews to fly the HU-16's. Great plane but you could not hear a thing on takeoff roll and they leaked like sivs... Shortly after I left for my next assignment the last of the breed left for Elizabeth City and now it sits at the front gate on a pedistal...

While assigned to the Air Department at Kodiak Naval Station (Alaska) 1952-1953 I was crew chief on SN 22893. See the monkeyview website link below for some interesting pictures of the UF-1 and other Alaska sights.
http://www.monkeyview.net/id/4191/yesteryear/index.vhtml

I flew as radio operator 1955-56 at Goose bay, Labrador in the 54th ARS. We had 5 of these great aircraft. Flew to Greenland and allot of other places in the area. We picted up a SA-16 at the Grummand plant in "56. Would enjoy talking to anyone that served with this aircraft and any others in that country, John in Payson, AZ johnnygo@localnet.com

The SA-16 was one of my favorit4e airplanes, My dad was a career Air Force Pilot and he flew air rescue out of Elmendorf from 1953-1956. His name was Captain Truman "Pappy" Weaver. He loved flying that plane and in those conditions. It was a wonderdful place to spent some childhood years. I still have a pre-made model of that plane my dad gave me for my 7th birthday. I would love to hear form anyone who knew my dad. dwtrain@yahoo.com steven weaver

Hi! I'm looking to purchasing of these planes for business use. We would need to land on water and snow..can anyone suggest? Thank you for your help! Best regards, Robert

Flew SAR on BuNo 137922, (was a UF-1 converted to a UF-2) NAS Port Lyautey,Kentria, Morocco 1960-62. Best two years of duty out of the eight active years.
Did the JATO thing out of the bay of Gibraltor.
137922, did time at Midway, Is. South America, and ended up in the Philapene (sp) air force, cut up for scrap in 1995. Shame/.

I was assigned to the 71st Air Rescue Squardon at Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage Alaska 1952 to 1953. We had 6 SA 16's. I was a propeller mechanic. The propeller was the Hamilton 43D50 Electric. I have many fond memories of this aircraft, and the many times I removed, repaired and installed the propellers on this aircraft. Also of the many times I flew in one in beautiful Alaska, especially the water landings and JATO take offs from water. I enjoyed reading this page. Thank you.

As soon as I get my $#!^ Together I plan to buy one..
This would be great as a bush plane well for me and my friends. I realy wont one.