FIGHTER SQUADRON ONE SEVEN FOUR_ VF-174 HELLRAZORS

VF-174 F8U-1 143788 at Master Field, Miami, Florida, on
1-25-58 with the squadron's original "AB" tail code. The
stripes on the tall were black with yellow diamonds. (Swisher)

VF-174 started out as Bombing Squadron 81 (VB-81). Equipped with three SB2C-3 Helldivers, VB-81 was commissioned at Wildwood, New Jer¬sey, on 1 March 1944. The squadron adopted its current insignia in May 1944, a ferocious-looking batlike crea¬ture with a razor for a beak.


On 15 November 1946, while fly¬ing SB2C-5 Helldivers from the decks of the USS Princeton (CV-37), VB-81 was redesignated Attack Squadron Thirteen Able (VA-13A). VA-13A be¬came VA-134 on 2 August 1948 while flying F4U-4 Corsairs from the USS Tarawa (CV-40). Late in 1949, VA-134 moved to NAS Jacksonville, Florida, where the squadron was redesignated VF-174 in February 1950.


VF-174 made two deployments to the Med with their Corsairs. One aboard the USS Coral Sea (CVB-42) from September 1950 until January 1951, and one aboard the USS Fran¬klin D. Roosevelt (CVB-43) in 1951 and 1952.


Conversion to swept-winged F9F-6 Cougars was completed by January 1953 with the squadron moving to NAS Cecil Field in 1954. VF-174 joined CVG-1 aboard the USS Midway (CVB-41) from December 1954 until June 1955. Upon their return to Cecil Field, the squadron transitioned to the FJ-3 Fury which was exchanged for F9F-8 Cougars in the spring of 1956. The Hellrazors de¬ployed their Cougars aboard the USS Bennington (CVA-20) from October 1956 until May 1957.


VF-174 was selected to spear¬head a new Navy program which would establish Fleet Replacement Squadrons (FRS), later to become Replacement Air Group Squadrons (RAGS). The Hellrazors were chosen as the AIRLANT F-8 RAG and re¬ceived their first six F8U-1 Crusaders in November 1957. F-8 pilot training was supplemented with the evaluation of the MK. IV full pressure suit, the F8U-1T Twosader and the training of French F-8E(FN) pilots.


On 1 July 1966 VF-174 was rede¬signated VA-174, and traded in their F-8s for the new Vaught A-7A Corsair 11, to become the AIRLANT A-7 RAG. VA-174 was disestablished on 30 June 1988 and VA-122 at NAS Le¬moore, California, took over all A-7 training.

VF-174 F8U-1 141360 equipped with DELMAR target towing gear in 1958 after the "AB" tail code was changed to "AD" to reflect assignment to (RCVG-4). (USN via Barry Miller)

A US$ Saratoga-based VA-34 A4D Skyhawk refuels VF-174 F8U-1 144434. The tail stripe between the "AD" and the "33" was yellow. (USN via Barry Miller)

Flight of four VF-174 F8U-2NEs (F-8E) from NAS Cecil Field from above in July 1962. The "00" or double nuts on the lead aircraft designates it as the CO's. (USN via Barry Miller)

VF-174 CARRIER QUALIFICA
TIONS, IN AUGUST 1963,
ABOARD FORRESTAL CVA-59
F-8D 223 prepares to launch on the starboard catapult. F-8E 149167 (#232) launches from the starboard CAT. 149167 taxing for¬ward. (Arther Schoeni via AAHS)

VF-174 F-8E 149166 (#202) pulls up to the starboard catapuli on the Forrest¬al with F-8Es 150345 (#204) and (#219) on the port side. (USN)

VF-174 F-8C 146945 takes a wave-off from the Forrestal. The yellow tail stripe shows up well. (Arthur Schoeni via AAHS)

VF-174 F-SC 145598 (#209) and F-8E 149167 (#232) wait for their turn at the catapult as another VF-174 Crusader launches during August 1963. (Arthur Schoeni via AAHS)

VF-174 F-8E 150296 at MCAAS Yuma, Arizona, on 3-16-63.
Notice the "Y" missile racks. (William Swisher)

VF-174 F-8D 148641 in flight over Mayport, Florida, on
8-18-64. (USN via Barry Miller)