Grumman HU-16 Albatross American Clipper

[bilwor]

Grumman HU-16 "Albatross" (G90)(USN 149836)(USCG 1026)(N7026C)(American Clipper)
Tucson International Airport (TUS) July 25, 2012

[Rajay]

Looks like it has been well cared for, but I gotta say that to me an Albatross looks funny without the nose radome. At least one if not more have had the nose radome replaced with a clear bubble window of the same shape, but while the view must be really cool, it still looks funny to me.

[Fouga23]

Nice! Movie paint or a tribute by the owner?

[bilwor]

Newly restored former US Coast Guard 1026 with permanent paint. Work is being done on the interior. It made a short flight from one of the private bone yards to TUS for completion.
bill word

[CoastieJohn]

Bill,

Do you have the CG logbook for it?

Thanks....John

[andyman64]

i don,t think Grumman ever made an ugly aeroplane!!! and that is a beauty!!!!

[CoastieJohn]

Uh oh!!!

We need to cross-check some numbers. My CG airplane historian say's this was not CG-1026. Here's the response.

Beautiful machine....................BUT..!
All of the numbers that are contained in the header atop the first pic are a mixed-match an most
are incorrect.

Grumman HU-16 "Albatross" (G90)(USN 149836)(USCG 1026)(N7026C)(American Clipper)
Tucson International Airport (TUS) July 25, 2012

1. MSN G-90 indicates a USAF serial of 51-017 was an A-model ( as noted by the straight
trailing edge of the wing and the horizontal tab is set back behind the leading edge of the vertical
fin.

2. It was not CG 1026 as this airframe was modified to a UF-2G/HU-16E.

3. BUNO went from the USAF to the USN in 1960 and was retired in late 1962 when it was
placed in open storage at NAF Litchfiled Park, AZ, where it remained in storage between
1963 and 1965 when it was sold as scrap.

[TAdan]

Love it!

[C VEICH]

That is really beautiful in my opinion. Thanks for sharing the pics Bill.

[bilwor]

Thanks CoastieJohn for setting some things straight. Further I did not do my research very well
It is registered N7026C, c/n G.90, s/n 149836. It did serve with USAF as 51-0017. Warbirds Directory has it listed as a SA-16A, then a UF-1 and finally as a HU-16C. No mention of USCG service.

Sorry for the misinformation at first.
bill word

[CoastieJohn]

Bill,

No worries. It's a beautiful plane.

Anytime I see a prospective former CG plane/helo I send it of to our CG aircraft historian. For a longtime he has been documenting the history of every aircraft the CG ever had in inventory. This goes back to the first ones in the early 1900's.

John

[dirkCO]

fantastic looking aircraft! Do you have any more photos? interior?

[bilwor]

These were the only photos I have. It left Tucson a couple of days later
bill word

[WallyB]

i don,t think Grumman ever made an ugly aeroplane!!!

XF-5F

[dirkCO]

well thanks for these!