OK, airdales... what is this beauty?

Thanks to Quentin Heron of Hong Kong, this plane has been identified as a Grumman HU-16B Albatross. Quentin went on to add that some 460 were made in several variants, between 1947 and the late 1950's. The Albatross ws purchased by the USAF, the USN and the US Coast Guard (as well as by the military services of a number of other countries), and the aircraft saw service in the Korean War, and to a lesser extent the Vietnam War. It's primary roles were maritime patrol and air-sea rescue, the latter often being performed in the open ocean, or under enemy fire. Thanks, Quentin!

How appropriate that the Albatross would be working at Midway :)