FICON project

The FICON (Fighter Conveyor) program was conducted by the United States Air Force in the 1950s to test the feasibility of a B-36 Peacemaker bomber carrying an F-84 parasite fighter in its bomb bay. This article also covers wingtip coupling experiments including Tip Tow and Tom-Tom.

FICON concept

Although the experimental XF-85 Goblin escort fighter proved to be a failure, USAF believed that the bomber-borne fighter concept was still viable. Instead of escort, the focus had shifted to a strike role with a Convair B-36 Peacemaker carrying a Republic F-84 Thunderjet fighter. The plan was for the heavy bomber with superior range to arrive in the vicinity of the target and deploy a faster, more maneuverable F-84 to deliver the tactical nuclear bomb. The F-84 would then return to the ‘mothership’ and be carried home.

FICON testing

A production RB-36F-1 Peacemaker (serial number 49-2707) was modified with a special trapeze mechanism in its bomb bay and designated GRB-36F, and a production F-84E Thunderjet (serial number 49-2115) was fitted with a retractable hook in the nose in front of the cockpit. The hook would link the fighter to the trapeze which would hold the aircraft in the bomb bay during flight, lower it for deployment, and raise it back in after the mission. Due to the size of the fighter, only the cockpit, the fuselage spine, and the tailfin actually fit inside the GRB-36, which considerably increased the drag and reduced the big bomber's range by 5-10%. On a positive note, the fighter pilot was able to leave his airplane while attached to the carrier, making the 10-hour flights to and from the target much more bearable.

The initial FICON trials were performed in 1952. First hookup took place on January 9, with first retrieval into the bomb bay on 23 April, and first flight of the complete system from takeoff to landing on 14 May. In 1953, the GRB-36/F-84E was sent to Eglin Air Force Base where 170 airborne launches and retrievals were subsequently performed. In May 1953, the F-84E was replaced by the faster F-84F Thunderstreak, with the original YRF-84F (briefly called YF-96A) prototype (serial number 49-2430) modified for the role and briefly designated GRF-84F. When RF-84F Thunderflash tactical reconnaissance fighter began entering service, the FICON role was changed from attack to reconnaissance. As with the F-84, the RF-84 was supposed to utilize its smaller size and superior agility to overfly heavily defended targets and gather intelligence while the bomber loitered outside the range of enemy defences. The scheme was found to be "tactically sound" and USAF ordered 10 production RB-36D to be converted to GRB-36D carriers with a complement of 25 RF-84K tactical reconnaissance fighters. The RF-84K differed from RF-84F in having retractable hookup equipment and anhedral tailplanes to better fit inside the GRB-36. Since it retained an armament of 4x 0.50 in. machine guns, it could also act as an escort fighter. The RF-84K could be deployed at altitudes of up to 25,000 ft (7,550 m) and added 1,180 mi (1,900 km) to GRB-36D's already impressive 2,800 mi (4,500 km) combat range.

FICON in service

The FICON system saw limited service with Strategic Air Command in 1955-1956. The GRB-36D carriers from 99th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing (Fairchild AFB) operated in conjunction with RF-84K from 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (Larson AFB).

Subsequent test flights demonstrated the FICON concept was indeed "tactically sound," but its operational implementation was difficult. Hookups with the carrier aircraft were challenging for the experienced test pilots under ideal conditions. In combat or in adverse weather, and by less-experienced pilots, they proved difficult, and several RF-84Ks were damaged attempting it. In addition, the RF-84 dramatically reduced the bomber's ground clearance: with 450 gallon (1700 liter) external tanks on the fighter, the FICON combination cleared by a mere six inches (15 cm). These adversities, combined with the advent of Lockheed U-2 and passing of the B-36 into obsolescence, resulted in cancellation of the project in 1956, with the last FICON flight taking place on 27 April.

Wingtip Coupling Experiments

Wingtip coupling experiments were evolved from the concept that adding extra floating panels to extend the effective wingspan of an aircraft in the hope this would extend the range of the aircraft. This would theoretically act in the same manner as the long narrow wings of a glider. It is reported that the Germans experimented with the idea in 1944 and 1945 by coupling two equal-sized light planes together, then the idea was further developed by Dr. Richard Vogt who came to the US from Germany after WW2. The idea was tested at Wright Field in the late 1940s using a Douglas C-47A Skytrain and Culver Q-14B Cadet. These tests showed the idea had promise, and Republic Aviation was awarded a contract to investigate further. Thus began the Tip Tow project.

Project MX-1016 aka Tip Tow

One of the more interesting experiments undertaken to extend the range of the early jets in order to give fighter protection to piston-engined bombers, was the provision for in-flight attachment/detachment of fighter to bomber via wingtip connections. One of the several programs during these experiments was done with a B-29 mother ship and two F-84D "children", and was code named "Tip Tow." The Tip Tow aircraft consisted of a specially modified EB-29A (serial number 44-62093) and two EF-84B (serial numbers 46-641 and 46-661). A number of flights were undertaken, with several successful cycles of attachment and detachment, using, first one, and then two F-84s. The pilots of the F-84s maintained manual control when attached, with roll axis maintained by elevator movement rather than aileron movement. Engines on the F-84s were shut down in order to save fuel during the "tow" by the mother ship, and in-flight engine restarts were successfully accomplished.

Wing flexibility of the B-29 as well as wing-tip vortices were concerns, and the mechanisms for attachment required modifications. The first hookup of both F-84s with the B-29 occurred on the 10th flight on Sept. 15, 1950. The longest flight with all connected was on Oct. 20, 1950, and lasted for 2hr 40min. All of these flights were accomplished with manual control of the F-84 aircraft. Republic received an additional contract to continue the experiments by incorporating an automatic flight control system. Meanwhile, as the modifications proceeded, additional test flights were made, including night flights. The automatic flight control modifications were ready for testing in March 1953, and a number of hookups were made with only one or the other of the F-84s while attempting to sort continuing electrical issues. On April 24, 1953, the left-hand F-84 hooked up and the automatic system was activated. The F-84 immediately flopped over onto the wing of the B-29 and both crashed with loss of all on board personnel.

The pilot of the right-hand F-84D, Major Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson wrote of the Tip-Tow experiments in an article entitled "Aircraft Wingtip Coupling Experiments" published by the "Society of Experimental Test Pilots"

Project Tom-Tom

In parallel, a similar configuration, called Tom-Tom, was being developed using an RB-36F previously used in the early FICON trials and two RF-84F (serial numbers 51-1848 and 51-1849). The aircraft were attached wingtip-to-wingtip using articulated arms and clamps. Although several successful hookups were performed in 1953, turbulence and vortices continued to present a major problem. In late 1953, an RF-84F was actually torn away from the RB-36. All aircraft landed safely but the concept was deemed too dangerous. Developments in the area of inflight refueling at the time promised a much safer way of extending the range of the fighters and Project Tom-Tom was cancelled.

References

;Notes;Bibliography
* Air Force Flight Test Center. "Two Warfighters in One Package." [http://www.edwards.af.mil/moments/docs_html/56-04-27.html FICON] Access date: 18 December 2006.
* Baugher, Joe. "B-36 Peacemaker." [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher2/b36.html B-36 Peacemaker] Access date: 18 December 2006.
* McLaren, David. "Republic F-84 Thunderjet, Thunderstreak & Thunderflash: A Photo Chronicle". Atglen, PA: Schiffer Military/Aviation History, 1998. ISBN 0-7643-0444-5.
* National Museum of the USAF. "Convair GRB-36F." [http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=2550 USAF Fact sheets] Access date: 18 December 2006.
* Major Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson. "Aircraft Wingtip Coupling Experiments," Society of Experimental Test Pilots.