The Fighter Conveyer was an unusual approach to the problem of bombers flying without fighter escort. Utilizing a trapeze mounted in the bomb bay of a B-36, an F-84F could be launched and retrieved when needed during flight. I'd like to see the arrangement on the ground, (or maybe the F-84 took off separately.)
Update, here's a view of the fighter mount from underneath. The B-36 is up on blocks. Very limited ground clearance.
It seems they could indeed take off as a unit, but with a ground clearance of 6 inches...! Begs the question about a landing...?
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FICON_project
It would be awful heavy for landing too.
ReplyDeletePerhaps not so heavy less cargo and fuel returning
ReplyDeleteupdated with another photo of the mounted fighter on the ground
ReplyDelete