The versatile HU-16 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 and soon after the USAF ordered a quantity for air-sea rescue duties as SA-16As. (In 1962, the USAF changed the designation to HU-16.) Grumman delivered 297 SA-16As to the Air Force; most were assigned to the Air Rescue Service.