Early Aircraft

Updated 8/30/97

JRF-3

The JRF-3 was a twin-engine flying boat that came into the service in 1939. Design features such as the retractable landing gear allowed it to land and take off from both land and water.The HU-16 Albatross which came into service following World War II can trace it's lines to the JFR-3.

PBY

The Patrol Bomber or PBY as it was called, severed the US Navy during World War II as an amphibious bomber, scout and as a search and rescue platform for rescuing downed pilots. Following the war, PBY's were transfered to the Coast Guard from the Navy to be used for offshore search and rescue. The PBY served the Coast Guard until the HU-16 Albatross joined the service. PBY's were able to land and take off from botrh land and water and had the unusual feature of having wings made from wood metal and cloth. Few PBY's still fly but in their time, they served the nation well.

P4Y-2G

The P4Y-2G was operted by the US Coast Guard follwing World War II. It had served as a patrol bomber during the war and was well suited for long range patrol operations.

HU-16 "Albatross"

The HU-16 "Albatross" was a two engine amphibian used by the US Coast Guard from the end of World War II to the late 1970's. It was designed for open water landings for SAR.

C-131

The C-131 served in the role of transport and search and rescue during the 1960's and 1970's.

 

H-52 "Sea Guard"

The H-52 as seen above was a single engine helo used from 1963 to the 1980's. It served from both land stations and could be flown from most medium and high endurace cutters. The H-52 could land on water to pick up survivors but most often used it's hoist.