Curtiss (AV-4) Class: Photographs
| These photographs were selected to show the original configuration of this class and major subsequent modifications. For more views see the former NHHC (now Hyperwar) Online Library of Selected Images and the NavSource Photo Archive. |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
|
USS Curtiss (AV-4) On trials off Rockland, Maine, on 8 October 1940. Of her four 5"/38 guns, only the forwared one was in an enclosed mount. Photo No. 19-N-22647 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
 |
|
USS Albemarle (AV-5) At anchor in Havana harbor, Cuba, on 22 February 1941 "dressed" for Washington's birthday. Splinter protection (gun tubs) have been fitted around her single enclosed and three open 5"/38 gun mounts. The ship's OS2U Kingfisher float planes are on deck aft. Photo No. NH 96538 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
 |
|
USS Albemarle (AV-5) In Narragansett Bay on 8 August 1942. All four 5"/38 guns are in enclosed mounts, probably fitted during an overhaul at Boston in April 1942. Her sister Curtiss never received this upgrade. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
 |
|
USS Albemarle (AV-5) Near Norfolk, Virginia, on 7 September 1943. The ship is loaded with aviation cargo for transportation to the British Isles. Photo No. 80-G-204836 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
 |
|
USS Albemarle (AV-5) Off the Boston Navy Yard on 10 May 1944 in Measure 32 Design 5Ax camouflage. She was out of commission between 1950 and 1957. Photo No. 19-N-69278 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
 |
|
USS Curtiss (AV-4) Near the Mare Island Navy Yard on 31 October 1945. Photo No. 19-N-71570 Source: U.S. National Archives, RG-19-LCM |
 |
|
USS Curtiss (AV-4) Underway in 1954. The superfiring 5"/38 mount forward is still in its original protective tub without a shield but the two 5"/38 mounts on the hangar top have been replaced with 40mm quads. Photo No. NH 97416 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
 |
|
USS Curtiss (AV-4) At North Island, San Diego, on 6 February 1955. The helicopter deck forward replaced the forward 5"/38 mounts in November-December 1954. The ship participated in a major amphibious exercise in March 1955 and in Operation Deep Freeze II in Antarctica in early 1957. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file) |
 |
|
USS Albemarle (AV-5) Photographed in January 1958, probably at Guantanamo Bay, soon after recommissioning and after the first stage of her conversion to support the P6M Seamaster jet flying boat. Note the well in the stern for a ramp and hoisting gear (never installed) that were to enable the ship to bring the huge P6M on board without using a crane. The P6M program was cancelled in August 1959 and Albemarle never serviced this aircraft. Photo No. USN 1033848 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
 |
|
USS Albemarle (AV-5) Photographed in the Azores on 21 August 1958 with her stern showing the extensive modifications made to enable her to handle the projected Martin P6M Seamaster flying boats. She was in the Azores to take scientific readings for Project ARGUS, atmospheric nuclear tests in the South Atlantic conducted from Norton Sound (AVM 1). Note the scientific equipment on her after deck. Photo No. USN 1044231. Photo by PHC Leuko. Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command |
 |