ZE360 History – The 74(F) Tiger Squadron Association

This page is for the operational history, mainly from the US perspective, of ZE360

F-4J-34-MC Phantom II/Bu. 155574

First Flight – 6th April 1968

Accepted into Navy inventory by NASC Representative at St. Louis – 29th April 1968

McAir Fly Away date – 22nd May 1968

VF-31 as AC-101 – May 1968 to January 1969

Based at NAS Oceana

` Tomcatters `

VF-101 – January 1969 to November 1969

Based at NAS Key West

` Grim Reapers `

` 155574 ` MISHAP REPORT

From VF-101 Det. Oceana 1969 Command History:

“AAR 2-69A, F-4J’s BUNO’s 155574 and 153826. This accident occurred on 6 March 1969 and resulted in DELTA damage to both aircraft. Following a launch from NAS Oceana on a four plane conventional ordnance flight, the aircraft collided during a lead change after formation rendezvous off-target. Both aircraft landed without further incident.”

Pilot of 155574 was LTJG William Joseph Rieke with LT Stephen Bruce Husak flying 153826. DELTA damage translates as minor damage.

The following is the same mishap and comes from the Navy Safety Center’s Approach Magazine. My info in square brackets.

“During a hung ordnance check Phantom No. 1 [155574 Rieke] dropped back to check Phantom No. 2 [153826 Husak], while both aircraft were in port turn. Following the check, No. 1 advised No. 2 that he was moving up on the starboard side to resume the lead. F-4 No. 2 failed to hear the word “starboard” and continued to look to his left. He did not acknowledge No. 1’s call because he did not have him in sight.
No.1 Phantom rolled wings level as he passed No. 2 on the right side. Simultaneously, No. 2, unable to find No. 1 on the port side, rolled wings level. The two aircraft collided with No. 1’s port stabilator contacting No. 2 just aft of the ram air intake. Jet exhaust from No. 1 induced an immediate flame out of No. 2’s starboard engine. A relight was obtained, however, and both aircraft were subsequently landed with only minor damage.”

……. and finally from a McDonnell authored Mishap listing:

“After completion of a practice bombing mission and during a hung ordnance check aircraft 153826’s right refrigeration intake duct came into contact with the left stabilator of aircraft 155574.”

After a small period of awaiting repair, they were started 18 March 69 and 155574 returned to operational status 9 April 69 (153826 repairs were completed between 18 March – 2 April 69).

(with many thanks to Peter Greengrass for supplying these details)

VF-41 – November 1969 to December 1972

Based at NAS Oceana

Deployed aboard the USS Roosevelt

` Black Aces `

VF-33 – December 1972 to May 1974

Based at NAS Oceana

Deployed aboard the USS Independence

` Tarsiers `

Bill Jarrott

I was a Tarsiers RIO from June ’70 to March ’73. I had 11 flights in 155574 between January and March ’73! 7 were on an unplanned 9-day cross country to NAS Lemoore and back. We departed on 2 March and didn’t get back to NTU until 11 March due to heavy fog from 4 through 10 March!. I was flying with Craig Pairan and we RON’d in Memphis, Columbus, and Pax River. We had to drop by JC Penney’s on Monday or Tuesday to buy clean underwear!! Ahhh, those were “the GOOD old days!”

Bill`s log book with the flights in 5574 listed

(With many thanks to Bill for his assistance in supplying this additional data)

Jack Parry

Jack explains…., I was a pilot with VF-33 from Oct 71 – Apr 74. Two deployments on Independance CVA-62 to the Med. Thereafter with VF-101 as Replacement Squadron LSO and Instructor. I flew 155574 with both squadrons. Bill Jarrott and I flew a few times together but not in this aircraft. I am sending copies of my pilot log where the pages show flights in 155574.

Jack`s logbook with VF-33

(With many thanks to Jack for his assistance in supplying this additional data)

David A Peterson

Joined 33 in 12/72 as a nugget RIO. Flew 5574 first time on 1/26/73. A “round robin” flight to get 3.7 hours of night time. Pilot was Harold Schwartz. My last flight in 5574 was 3/27/74 with Dan Bunting-a 2 hour training hop.

(With many thanks to David for his assistance in supplying this additional data)

Terry Dailey

Between February 15, 1973 and March 25, 1974, Terry flew F-4J 155574 20 times for a total of 26.0 hours (2.4 at night), 7 Field Landings, 7 Field Carrier Landings, 14 Traps (1 at night), 3 Carrier Touch & Goes, 1 Bolter and 14 Cat Shots!

Overview

And finally Terry standing in front of the F-14 that he had his last active duty flight in on April 9, 1982 which is currently on display at the National Air and Space Museum’s Udvar Hazy Center out by Dulles Airport.

(With many thanks to Terry for his assistance in supplying his logs and the additional information)

Rick Brachvogel

I worked on the J model from 68-70 as a Jet Mechanic. During this time we discovered the new GE (hotter) combustion cans were coming apart. All I did for two years was drop both J79’s and remove both combustion outer cases and remove and replace all 10 cans with the original cans. I’m sorry I can’t help you with your project but wanted to share while aboard the USS Saratoga we had British F-4’s land and launch off our ship. They had Rolls Royce engines and 32 or 42 inch nose wheel extension. On the the first cat shot it burnt off the non skid on the Jet Blast deflector. Sweet! Go Royal Navy!

Thomas Ashovlin

A RIO with VF-33, his logbook shows 5 flights in 155574 in 73-74. His pilot was Dick Wyman who shot down a MIG-17 on 14th December 1967.

VF-101 – May 1974 to September 1975

Based at NAS Oceana

` Grim Reapers `

Bill Jarrott

Bill flew in 5574 a number of times again when he transferred to VF-101 as an instructor.

Bill`s log book with the flights in 5574 listed

The flight on 2/21/75 was a little interesting. I was CQing with a nugget pilot (Don Coker) and on our first touch and go, the starboard axle sheared off on touch down and we lost the wheel/brake assembly – and Utility Hydraulics! We had to Bingo back to Oceana with the gear down and land on 32L in the foam! Don did a great job and we stopped within about 3 or 4 feet of center-line. Minimum damage to the plane. They hoisted it onto jack stands, replaced the main strut assembly and all, swung the gear and it was back flying the next day! We DID consume a few beers at the O’Club that evening!!

(Again, many thanks to Bill for his assistance in supplying this additional data)

Jack Parry

Jack`s logbook with VF-101

(Again, many thanks to Jack for his assistance in supplying this additional data)

VF-103 – September 1975 to May 1981

Based at NAS Oceana

Deployed aboard the USS Saratoga

` Sluggers `

LT Charles Frank “Chic” Burlingame

Harold Elliott Jr writes….., You may be interested to know that “Clubleaf 206” (5574) was piloted by LT Charles Frank “Chic” Burlingame during his assignment to VF 103. He was the murdered pilot of Flight 77 that was flown into the Pentagon on 9/11. Myself and other VF-103 members had the honor of having served with Mr. Burlingame.

Lieutenant Travis Brannon

LT Brannon started flying 5574 as a Lieutenant Junior Grade finishing as a Lieutenant. He has 20 arrested landings with 5574 aboard USS Saratoga between 1977 and 1979, his log book showing dates and flight times below.

(with special thanks to Travis for allowing us to show his flight logs in 5574)

EDIT – It with sadness to report that Travis passed away recently which makes his addition to the history of BuNo 155574/ZE360 that much more relevant.

Charles Travis Brannon – Feb 3, 1952 – Oct 7, 2020

VF-33 – May 1981 to August 1981

Based at NAS Oceana

Deployed aboard the USS Independence

` Tarsiers `

VMFAT-101 – August 1981 to December 1981

Based at MCAS Yuma