In the late 1940's, Grumman developed the HU-16 Albatross as a larger, faster replacement for the G-73 Mallard. Its deep V-shaped hull gave it stability on water, and its tricycle landing gear allowed it to operate on land, making it well suited for amphibious search and rescue work. The Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard all ordered the aircraft, with the Air Force operating the most and the United States Coast Guard using it the longest, including some aircraft transferred from the USAF after their service ended. The Coast Guard operated 99 HU-16's in total, and the aircraft proved valuable in harsh environments including Vietnam, Alaska, Greenland, and, in the 1950's, Antarctica during Operation Deep Freeze. Crews nicknamed the dependable but stubborn aircraft "Goats." From August to September of 1962, U.S. Navy and Coast Guard crews set seven world records for speed and altitude with payload. Although best known for search and rescue, the Albatross also flew fishery patrols, pollution surveillance, and law enforcement missions. It left USAF service in July of 1973 and U.S. Navy service in August 1976, and it was the last amphibious plane operated by the USCG. The HU-16E on display was donated by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard and flown from the Coast Guard Aviation Training Center in Mobile to Battleship Memorial Park on May 2nd, 1972, where it has remained ever since. The final flight of an Albatross for the USCG was in March of 1983, though the aircraft still flies in civilian hands, including Jimmy Buffet's "Hemisphere Dancer," which he retired in 2003.