Trumpeter 02821 1/48 HU-16A Albatross

Grumman HU-16 Albatross was an American flying boat from the post-war period. The prototype flight took place in 1947. The aircraft was characterized by a high-wing configuration and had a wheeled triple support, retractable in flight, and a float landing gear. In the HU-16B version, its length was 19.16 meters with a wingspan of 29.47 meters. The drive was provided by two Wright R-1820-76 Cyclone engines, 1425 HP each. The maximum speed was up to 380 km / h. The machine did not have on-board weapons.

The Grumman HU-16 Albatross was developed as a development of the Grumman Mallard flying boat. It was capable of landing and taking off on the surface of the sea or ocean. Shortly after the flight (1947), the machine entered the line in the US Navy under the designation UF-1, and later also used by the USAAF under the designation SA-16. In 1962, the designation of the aircraft was standardized to HU-16. The machine was used in both the Korean War (1950-1953) and the Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975). The machine was used primarily for search and rescue tasks, but the HU-16B version was also developed for ZOP (anti-submarine combat) operations. The machine was used by many foreign operators, including Argentina, Greece, West Germany and Italy.

The Grumman HU-16 Albatross was an American Cold War flying boat. The prototype flight took place in 1947. Serial production was carried out in the years 1949-1961. In total, about 465 copies of this aircraft were built. The drive was provided by two motors Star Wright R-1820-76A / B . The plane's top speed was 380 km / h, and the maximum range was 4,600 kilometers with external fuel tanks.

The Grumman HU-16 Albatross was created as a far-reaching modernization of the Grumman Mallard plane. The changes in the design mainly concerned the hull, which was adapted to landing in open sea and ocean waters. The machine turned out to be successful and was adopted by the US Navy (under the designation UF-1) and the Air Force (under the designation SA-16). They also served in the US Coast Guard. In 1962, all aircraft of this type were given the designation HU-16. The main tasks of this type of aircraft focused on search and rescue operations. Only one version (SHU-16B) was adapted to anti-submarine warfare. Grumman HU-16 Albatross was used during the Korean (1950-1953) and Vietnam (1964 / 1965-1975) wars. The machine also found its way to many foreign recipients, including Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Germany