Alstede (AF 48) Class: Photographs

USS Alstede (AF 48) Off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard on 18 May 1946. Her armament was originally limited to 20mm guns but she later also received four 40mm twin mounts. Photo No. 19-N-94572 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Aludra (AF 55) Photographed in August 1952 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard soon after her full SCB 57 conversion. She is being assisted by two yard tugs including Achigan (YTB 218) aft. She is carrying her designed armament of six 3"/50 twin gun mounts, which was reduced to four in 1956 by the removal of the two aft of the bridge house. Photo No. BUSHIPS 149526, NAID 6928377 Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-19-NN, BUSHIPS negatives)
USS Zelima (AF 49) This ship was acquired in 1946 with Alstede (AF 48) and is shown here on 16 November 1953. She has a 40mm twin mount to starboard forward and one to port aft, the opposite positions being vacant. Photo No. USN 686543 Source: Shipscribe
USNS Bald Eagle (T-AF 50) Note the lack of military features (including underway replenishment rigs) on this ex-Army refrigerated cargo ship that was transferred to MSTS in 1950. The MSTS C2 reefers were intended for point-to-point transportation of refrigerated cargos and not for fleet support. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USNS Golden Eagle (T-AF 52) Another Army refrigerated cargo ship transferred to MSTS in 1950 for point-to-point service. She was converted in 1961 for fleet replenishment duty and renamed USS Arcturus (AF 52). Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (MSC)
USS Aludra (AF 55) Photographed on 17 September 1954 by USS Yorktown. Note the armament of six twin 3"/50 gun mounts, two abreast forward, two amidships aft of the bridge house (bulwarks visible), and two on the centerline aft. This armament was reduced to four mounts in 1956 as in AE 23-25 and AF 58-59 by the removal of the two aft of the bridge house. Photo No. NH 104028 Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command
USS Pictor (AF 54) Photographed on 2 May 1956 by an aircraft from NAS Alameda, Calif. She was essentially a repeat of Alstede. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-156)
USS Sirius (AF 60) Off San Francisco on 3 April 1957 after activation. She never received a helicopter deck aft. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-156)
USS Alstede (AF 48) With a helicopter deck added on the stern. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-164)
USS Arcturus (AF 52) The former USNS Golden Eagle (T-AF 52) after being renamed and converted in 1961 to a commissioned Navy underway replenishment ship with a helicopter deck aft. Photo No. Unknown Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)
USS Procyon (AF 61) One of two C2s (AF 61-62) acquired in 1961 and given minimal conversions (including a helicopter deck aft) to provide underway replenishment to fleet units. The single 3" gun attributed to them in 1961 was probably displaced by the helicopter deck, leaving them effectively unarmed. Photo No. None Source: Shipscribe
USS Aludra (AF 55) On 12 October 1963 approaching the naval supply depot pier at the Subic Bay Naval Base in the Philippines with four twin 3"/50 mounts. Two of these were removed in around 1966, probably being replaced by a helicopter deck aft. Photo No. USN 1094228 Source: Shipscribe
USS Bellatrix (AF 62) Showing off the helicopter deck on her stern and the absence of a gun armament. Photo No. None Source: NavSource
USNS Blue Jacket (T-AF 51) On 9 March 1965 with tugs assisting after having run aground at Cheatham Annex. This MSTS ship is fitted for point-to-point refrigerated cargo operations and not fleet support. Photo No. USN 1111477 B Source: Shipscribe