The restoration of Grumman HU-16B Albatross 51-7144 is under way at the Museum of Aviation in Georgia, US
Delivered to the USAF in 1954 and assigned to the 41st Air Rescue Squadron (ARS) at Hamilton AFB in Canada, it was transferred to the 33rd ARS in 1964, flying from Naha in Okinawa. During its tenure with the 33rd it flew numerous search and rescue missions in Vietnam. The amphibian was finally retired in 1971 and became one of the first aircraft to feature at the Museum of Aviation in 1983.
Following decades on external display, during which its condition inevitably deteriorated, the Albatross was moved indoors pending a complete overhaul. This is now taking place within the attraction’s Scott Exhibit hangar.
Meanwhile, a second Albatross, the fully airworthy N98TP, flew into the UK recently, landing at Southampton on August 5. The 72-year-old machine, which served the USAF as SA-16B 51-7186, completed a four-hour flight from Bergen, Norway, as part of a European tour. This charismatic machine is expected to remain in the UK for a few months before departing for the US. It recently appeared at September’s Goodwood Revival. With thanks to Tony Sacketos and Richard Vandervord
