Grumman Iron Works
UF-1L "Albatross"
The Albatross is the largest of the production flying boats from the "Grumman Iron Works," Bethpage, NY.
It was the last amphibious aircraft operated by the services.
The versatile "Albatross" amphibian was designed to meet a Navy requirement for a utility aircraft
which could operate from land or water and, with skis, from snow and ice. The prototype first flew
on  October 24, 1947.  The USAF turned over two SA-16A Albatross aircraft to the US Navy and
were then redesignated under the old Navy aircraft  identification system as UF-1L aircraft.
Its enormous versatility prompted its use in countless singular tasks, as for example its use in the "Deep Freeze"
operations in Antarctica, where it was fitted with skis, the equipment being called "Triphibian Kit".
Like most "Iron Works" designs they were exceedingly rugged. Enough so that Grumman was able to modify most
airframes (at their mid-life!) to a "triphibian configuration". These were fitted with a keel
skid for operations from sand or snow - in addition to land and water.
 
142428
Grumman Constructor Number G212
(USAF S/N  51-7162)
  
 
142428 was originaly ordered by the USAF as a SA-16A and it was delivered to the US Navy as a UF-1L.
It was redesignated as a LU-16C in 1962.
(Joe Baugher)
 
Current FAA registration has N51025 listed as being owned by Howard Shelby, Storage Western Intl Aviation, Tucson, AZ.
(Grumman Albatross webpage -  http://hu-16.home.att.net/)
 
 
142429
Grumman Constructor Number G214
(USAF S/N  51-7164)
 
"Shake, Rattle and Roll"
(Info from Milton F Henke)
 
 
aleutiangoose1.jpg (50731 bytes) aleutiangoose2.jpg (76352 bytes) aleutiangoose3.jpg (79322 bytes) aleutiangoose4.jpg (64320 bytes)
Photos by Terry Smith, Owner of 142429, "The Aleutian Goose".
Avalible for flights in Alaska -  aleutiangoose@aol.com 
 
142429 was originaly ordered by the USAF as a SA-16A and it was delivered to the US Navy as a UF-1L.
It was redesignated as a LU-16C in 1962.
(Joe Baugher)
 
At some time in its life it was sold as surplus and it is now registered as to AirCorp Inc. as FAA registration number N116AG.  
(Grumman Albatross webpage -  http://hu-16.home.att.net/)
 
142429 is owned by Terry Smith and is located in Anchorage, Alaska.
(Phone call from Terry Smith)
 
 
Albatross Data:
 
SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 80 ft (UF-1L specific)
Length: 62 ft 10 in
Height: 25 ft 10 in
Weight: 36,000 lbs max
Engines: Two Wright R-1820s of 1,425 hp ea
Cost: $510,000
 
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 250 mph
Cruising speed: 165 mph
Range: 1,650 miles - 2700 miles with drop tanks installed
Service Ceiling: 22,000 ft
 
Interesting article about an Albatross owner who now owns VX-6 Albatross BUNO 142429.
The owner is a pilot for Alaska Airlines named Terry Smith.
http://www.alaskasworld.com/news/2001/05/25_KTNGrumman.asp
 
Noel Gillespie's article:
http://www.radiocom.net/vx6/noel2.htm
 
The Grumman Albatross Homepage:
http://hu-16.home.att.net/
 
Joe Baugher's webpage on US Military serial / BUNO's:
http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/
 
A really REALLY nice website about the Albatross by the USAF Test Pilots school at Edwards AFB:
http://www.edwards.af.mil/tps/pix/albatross/albatross.htm