Albatross flying boat manufacturing returns and will be built in Australia

And unlike the Clipper this thing has landing gear which will make it even more versatile. I have no doubt that if performance is good and the price is right this thing will be a huge success. And it looks great too!

When I was based at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Texas back in 1963 and 1964 the Coast Guard had 2 HU16-E based there. As a Navy Diver, my dive partner and I had a chance to ride along on a mission. There was a Shrimp boat in the gulf taking on water so we delivered a pump so they could stay afloat and maintain a sea worthy vessel. The delivery was a water landing. Everything worked out for the Shrimp boat. As I remember the aircraft was very noisy with only 3 to 4 seats in the cabin area. It had an auxiliary power unit (very noisy) in the back of the cabin area. They used it to start both engines. We were glad to help and enjoyed the ride. What an interesting day that was. BTW… Navy Corpus had at that time squadrons of T-34 / T-28 / A-1E Skyraders and TS-2A Grumman Tracker for multi-engine training. They also had P2V Neptune’s. Those were the days of Round Engines. What a sound to remember.

Good to hear, for many of these smaller island-hops and locations this type of A/C is a much need.

Assuming this is built like the original Grumman it will be an amphibian, not just a flying boat.

Not quite the Boeing 314 Clipper but I'll take it!!

When flight testing new airframes in Darwin Harbor, mate, keep an eye out for giant salties!

https://www.facebook.com/FL360aero/videos/649193429304462/

https://theglobalherald.com/news/why-are-salties-nesting-closer-to-darwin-part-1-saltwater-crocodiles-abc-news/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saltwater_crocodile

An exciting development! And, it's planned for manufacturing in Darwin is icing on the cake. Many capable people there, great resources too. And the NT needs opportunities like this. Boeing and Airbus really cant devote resources to something that is really a niche market, so leave it to the small guys with the money (I hope)

About time. The Island communities and rescue teams need an amphib that allows them to get to the victims they find instead of waiting for hovering short range/slow Helo. So, we talking the original range and speed of the original design, or something longer legged and a few knots faster? Note if zero emissions are a major goal then the design will be flawed and not the rescue and service aircraft of its ancestor. If after the design for toughness, and superb performance for the missions it is to serve you can get Low emissions engine without losing Capability that is great. Low emissions should only be a follow-on goal after the new aircraft has been in the field a few years. Again Toughness, Capability, Sea worthiness, Range, payload and versatility 1st and foremost. Low emission for fuel efficiency and range will come in follow up models.

Living in the NT and the doing some research into the company behind this, I have real doubt that this project ever will lift up. The initial proposal and contract was cancelled in an other state.
For me it looks more like a scam, unfortunately.

Wow! A speck of heavy industry returns to Oz!

Good

Which means that there may be more opportunities for amphibious pilots. Exciting!

Readers may not recall that this was to be built at Warnervale, NSW.
I also believe in Santa Claus.

Brilliant! A tough and versatile aircraft resurrected.

That's great news. Nicely done.

This is VERY cool news. :)

I'll believe it when I see them rolling down the production line.

A converted Albatross: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnFdnvU1pA4

The only thing missing will be the rumble of two big Pratt & Whitney radial engines instead will have the turboprop whine