Chuck's Challenge on the Grumman HU-16B Albatross

Grumman designed the versatile Albatross to meet a U.S. Navy requirement for an amphibious utility aircraft which could also operate from snow and ice with skis. During the Korean War, Albatrosses rescued almost 1,000 United Nations personnel from coastal waters and rivers, often behind enemy lines. They also made numerous dramatic and hazardous rescues in Southeast Asia, on occasion taxiing many miles over rough, open water when unable to take off.
The prototype first flew on Oct. 24, 1947, and soon after the U.S. Air Force ordered a quantity for air-sea rescue duties as SA-16As. Grumman delivered 297 A models to the Air Force, mostly for the Air Rescue Service. In 1962 the USAF changed the designation to HU-16.
In 1955 Grumman developed an improved version with a 16 1/2 foot increase in wingspan and larger aileron and tail surfaces. Beginning in 1957, many A models were converted to the B configuration with these improvements.
The HU-16 on display was one of the last operational USAF Albatrosses. The aircraft established a world altitude record for twin-engine amphibians when it reached 32,883 feet on July 4, 1973. The crew for this record setting flight included Lt. Col. Chuck Manning, pilot; Maj. Paul Schaefer, co-pilot; and Tech. Sgt. Ed Schindler, flight mechanic. Two weeks later, the aircraft was retired and flown to the museum.

[@riffmatic]

I met this gentleman today while waiting at a DMV office in Florida. I was an honor sir to have met you and hear your story about this remarkable aircraft and your outstanding airman-ship.

[@n44pw]

Ironically, My Dad, Retired Lt. Col Peter Weber, Jr, USAF, flew this very aircraft while he was stationed in Greenland with the 51st Air Rescue Squadron in Narsarssuak (now spelled Narsasuaq), Greenland. On a flight from Narsarsuaq to the States in 1955, he lost the right engine off the coast of Prince Edward Island, Canada and made a single engine landing in the harbor. The plane was secured on a beach and remained there for more than a month while a replacement engine was flown in and brought overland along with a crane and other equipment to change the engine. My mother and I waited in Greenland for two months for his return. It was my dad who recognized the tail number as being the same from a picture taken while repairs were underway in 1955. He and my mom are 97 and 96 respectively and still doing well. My dad still flies regularly and held the Guinness record as world's Oldest Active Pilot for a time when he was 95.

[@USAFmuseum]

Awesome story, thanks for sharing and please thank your dad from the museum.

[@n44pw]

if you're interested, he has a newspaper story of his visit to PEI 49 years later when he was remembered for the flight and we have a photo of the bird on the beach in 1955. My dad is still on top of his game at 97 and would love to share his memories. If interested, let us know how to contact you. Thanks!

[@stellamuscle8156]

Chuck is my HERO!! He is so humble and doesn't even mention he's a WWII Vet let alone a Guinness Book of Holder.
He's a beautiful person and a joy to be around and it's a privilege to know him. LOVE you Chuck!!

[@burtvincent1278]

Great story. Quite the pilot.

[@USAFmuseum]

He is in his late 90's now and doing great!

[@user-rf1dk8np4s]

I was a flight engineer on the hu16b usaf air rescue 1965_67 was station in the Philippines and flew tdy in Vietnam made a open sea rescue of a downed navy pilot near Hanoi

[@volvo245]

Wonderful plane, humble pilot....cool story!

[@stevelaine6296]

Memories, Memories! Chuck, Iris & I were standing along side Government Cut when you came in! What a day to celebrate! Thanks for sharing with me today! Iris is checking this all from above! Blessings, Steve Laine

[@JohnChandler2006]

What an awesome piece of history!!! We cannot let the future forget the greatness of our past....

[@wufchyld3977]

Chuck has led the most incredible life of anyone I know , he is a huge inspiration and one of the kindest I have ever had the privilege to meet . I am honored to know him and wish I had met him In my 20s lol......

[@N1RKW]

Flying into a thunderstorm to set a record? That takes some serious intestinal fortitude! Kudos, Sir! What an awesome flight, and what a great pilot! Also, thank you for your service, Sir.

[@ronmutz1983]

Brings back good memories. My dad flew SA 16 rescue out of Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya 1950-52 time.

[@RaviKumar-rn2uc]

A salute to the world's respected old 👨‍✈️️pilot.
👑⛑👒🎩Hats off.

[@bobbyshaftoe]

It took a Navy Enlisted to fly an AF bird to a record :-)

[@barryhopesgthope686]

Seen this plane and the rest of the anfibs at W-P AFB