Grumman Albatross SA-16B (oz13927)

About this Plan

Grumman Albatross SA-16B. Radio control scale model twin seaplane.

Direct submission to Outerzone.

Note main pic shows image from front cover of MAN, Nov 1968.

Update 11/9/2024: Added article, thanks to Pit.

Quote: "Grumman SA-16B Albatross, by Chester Brabbin. If off-water is your thing, then this fine scale amphibian is for you, but if no water it flies just as well off grass or regular fields. What we are trying to say is that it's good!

Westchester County, New York, is no haven for model airplane fields. The county is beautiful, hilly, full of people and loaded with obstacles for a model to hit, as there just are not very many cleared areas remaining. But there is one saving grace, and that is the many lakes and large shore area. The natural thing to do in a place like that is to build a plane suitable to the region, and if possible, to be able to fly it from the land as well. Thus an amphibian. The Grumman Albatross SA-16B is ideal - it can fly well, carry a large load, has plenty of power, and easily converts to land or water operation.

The model described in this article is 95% scale. Overall dimensions are exact, taken from the general arrangement plans of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation in Bethpage, New York. Further details can be obtained from their PGB-64-2 booklet of February 1957. In addition, Monogram Models of Chicago has a plastic all-scale kit (Plastikit PA 20.149) completely detailed. The scale deviations in this model are: the locations of the engines 1-1/2 in farther out than they should be to accommodate an 11 inch prop for a .45 engine; detailing of the landing gear, which had to be made removable; and one cockpit spar which is located on the center line but shouldn't be. The plans show all the details, and can be copied for true scale if the ambition is there.

CONSTRUCTION Wing: Start construction with the wing. This is the most complicated part of the building and is really the only unconventional part of the construction. It is built upside down, using the main spar as an aligning device.

The main spar is made of one piece of 3/8 x 3/4 x 72 in maple or cherry. Spar is tapered to 1/4 in at the tips, starting the taper 10 in from the center line and tapering from the bottom up. Top of the spar remains flat. Nail spar upside down to the table with fine brads. Four or five are enough to keep it in place. Pin the leading edge of 1/4 x 3/4 x 36 balsa on the plans. Don't do anything yet about any of the other spars or trailing edge. Cut ribs R 0 through R 5 of 3/16 hard balsa and ribs R 6 through R 15 of 1/8 hard balsa. The air foil is NACA 23012 and has slight undercamber to about 20% of the chord. This is designed to give additional lift to the wing and will add considerably to the performance when flying, so try not to lose this when planking the wing.

Notch each rib and place upside down on the main spar with tail tip of each rib 1/2 in from the table. This will line them up all perfectly. I strongly suggest tacking them in place with glue gun; they can be put in place quickly, since the glue hardens when it cools. When they are all correctly in place, go over the joints with epoxy, Ambroid or Sigment, but don't use a glue that might soften later if the joints get wet. Make the trailing edge from 1/2 in trailing edge stock, and glue it securely in place after slicing off a 1/2 in piece of each rib tail.

Both ailerons and flaps are built into the wing while it is still nailed down. Add the ailerons furst by slicing through ribs R9 through R14..."

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