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SA-16B “Albatross”
SERIAL NUMBER:  51-7254

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Wing Span: 96 ft 8 in

  • Length: 62 ft 10 in

  • Height: 25 ft 11 in

  • Maximum Speed: 230 mph

  • Service Ceiling: 23,800 ft

  • Range: 1,650 mi

  • Crew: 6 and 10 passengers

  • Armament: None

  • Engines: 2 x 1,425 hp Wright R-1820-76B radial engines

The Grumman "Albatross" proved itself during the Korean War. Originally a Grumman in-house design, the "Albatross" shows the sleek lines of its older siblings: the Grumman Mallard, Goose, and Widgeon.

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Used extensively in the Search and Rescue (SAR) roles by the USAF, over 900 flyers were rescued in Korea by the SA-16 crew. When not saving lives, the SA-16 (later designated HU-6) flew VIPs, cargo, aerial ice flow, and oil spill surveillance. Called upon again to serve in Vietnam, the "Albatross" saved many lives until being replaced by helicopter in the SAR role.

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The "Albatross" was phased out of service by the USAF in 1974. The SA-16 flew with the U.S. Navy until September, 1976, and soldiered on with the U.S. Coast Guard up to March, 1988. Over

20 other countries, in­cluding Greece, Norway, Japan, and the Philippines, flew the "Albatross".

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The museum’s SA-16B was manufactured by the Grumman Aircraft Corporation in Bethpage, NY. Originally built as a short wing SA-16A, our "Albatross" was delivered to the USAF on January 18, 1954, and assigned to the 580th Air Resupply and Communications Group (ARCG), Wheelus Air Base (AB), Libya.

 

With the 580th, the "Albatross" flew classified missions, infiltration and exfiltration of special forces, and psychological operations in the middle east, southern Europe, North Africa, and Russia. The 580th also supported the CIA, recovering two U-2 pilots after their aircraft had crashed. In September 1956, 51-7254 was transferred to the 7272nd Air Base Group at Wheelus AFB, when the 580th was deactivated.

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In 1957 our "Albatross" received the “long wing” conversion and redesignated SA-16B before being assigned to the 354th Fighter-Day Wing at Myrtle Beach AFB, NC. Deployed to Seymour Johnson AFB, NC, 51-7254 flew search and rescue missions until being retired to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in 1960.

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A new lease on life was obtained when the Coast Guard took possession, rechristening her USCG 7254. 7254’s first flight with the Coast Guard occurred at Air Station Traverse City, MI, in February 1965. Transferred to Air Station Miami, FL, in November 1966, the “Goat” (the Coast Guards nickname for the "Albatross") served there until being transferred again to Air Station Annette, AK, in January 1970. Serving two years in Alaska, 7254 flew search- and rescue missions before being transferred to Air Station Cape Cod, MA. In April 1979, 7254 performed its final flight with the Coast Guard and was retired once again and returned to the boneyard. At some point, 51-7254 was in the Smithsonian’s collection before being transferred back to the Air Force in 1988.

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In June 1989 the Travis AFB Aviation Museum officially took possession of 51-7254. On April 8, 1989, our "Albatross" was flown from the Davis-Monthan boneyard to Travis AFB. After being repainted in Air Force colors, 51-7254 placed on static display at the museum.

Information based on, “Travis Heritage Center” by Nick Veronico, copyright Travis AFB Historical Society and Travis AFB Heritage Center Foundation.

This book is available from the Travis Heritage Center gift shop.

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