Mystery Albatross

[Clifford Bossie]

The date on this slide in January, 1988. I even vaguely remember taking it. The N number is N248M, which is now carried by a Cessna. It also has the name "Katanga" on the fuselage. Anybody have an idea of the serial/Bu. No.?

[Roger Cain]

On page 91 of the book Grumman Albatross: A History of the Legendary Seaplane by Wayne Mutza, it shows an Albatross registered as N46RG painted under the cabin windows with "Katanga" on it. A HU-16B serial number 51-7169. Maybe the same plane? Here's a picture of it in a Brown paint scheme later registered as N113LA and finally N123RK. It was supposedly destroyed in a hangar collapse in October of 2004. http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=11715&nseq=341

[Clifford Bossie]

On page 91 of the book Grumman Albatross: A History of the Legendary Seaplane by Wayne Mutza, it shows an Albatross registered as N46RG painted under the cabin windows with "Katanga" on it. A HU-16B serial number 51-7169. Maybe the same plane? Here's a picture of it in a Brown paint scheme later registered as N113LA and finally N123RK. It was supposedly destroyed in a hangar collapse in October of 2004. http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=11715&nseq=341

Good info! 7169 was one time registered as N24BM, what I took to be an "8" looks more like a "B" now that I look closer. Thank you!

[CoastieJohn]

Hmmm....I seen a 12/99 registry that had N248M as a Beech 95-B55. N24BM is probably a better fit.

The HU-16 website shows 51-7169 as destroyed in a hanger collapse with a ?. It also shows it as an A model.
http://maisonemaison.smugmug.com/Catego ... &k=7W474Tf

Ok....here is a Jimmy Buffet website and the Katanga is mentioned. Pics of his plane too on display in Orlando.
http://www.buffettnews.com/forum/viewto ... b8598d0094

Here are some pics of the Katanga inside the collapsed hanger and outside once they reached it...ugly demise.
http://www.seaplaneops.com/photogallery ... abella.htm

[Woodsy Airfield]

I have a couple of photos of KATANGA taken while she was at the Saginaw Michigan Airport dated December 4, 1974. Saginaw had a collection of military aircraft on display, but were up for sale by DOD as Museum was closing down. I was able to crawl around inside her, but I don't remember her interior condition. On the outside, the Albatros looked a little weather worn, but not bad. I have often wondered what her fate was....now I know.
By the way, other complete aircraft that went up for sale was an H-19, C-97, C-124, C-47, C-119, RF-84, and a B-57....