RESTORATION DIARY
Grumman HU-16 Albatross

After many years outside, our Grumman HU-16 Albatross needed work to stabilize its condition. A preservation plan was approved by the Naval Aviation Museum. A donation of black paint for aircraft livery and simulated de-icing boots has been promised by a vendor, and we applied for and received grants from the Mortenson Foundation to begin the preservation project. Since the exterior preservation requires dealing with the degrading painted surface, we began by investigating multiple paint removal and preparation techniques.

The aircraft cannot be moved into the Restoration hangar for work because of its size. So much of the work will be completed outside, while some components can be removed and worked on inside the hangar. Maintenance work has already started to both the aircraft and some control surfaces. So far this year, the aircraft’s main wheels and tires have been replaced for better mobility. Once the landing gear was repaired, the aircraft was towed onto the pavement in front of the storage hangar. Persistent water leaks in upper fuselage have been mitigated.

September 2025

Restoration crew raised in our man-basket and painting a test section of the Albatross' wing's leading edge. The black paint replicates the rubber deicing boots that were badly degraded. In addition, the propeller team is using ladders to paint the propeller blade tips with the proper markings for this aircraft.