ODD COUPLING, F-80 coupled to B-29

[Steve Pace]

I just ran across this pdf on a proposed program I've never ever heard of...

Steve Pace

 

[fightingirish]

IMHO, probably a study for the FICON (Fighter Conveyor) program.

 

[Steve Pace]

IMHO, probably a study for the FICON (Fighter Conveyor) program.

or TOM TOM or TIP TOW

 

[Michel Van]

look like NACA made some feasibility study on old german DFS propsals on "Starrschlepp"

Starrschlepp rough translate "stiff to tug"
pulls a big plane a small one by way of a rod

http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/uploads/Jose_Navarrete/non_flexible_1_113.jpg
http://www.retroplane.net/forum/images/uploads/Jose_Navarrete/non_flexible_2_369.jpg

 

[AeroFranz]

Somewhere else on the forum there should be more info on a similar system called deichselschlepp, which could involve several different components, like a towed tank, a bomb, or a V-1.

 

[Michel Van]

oh that also a DFS Invention.

in this case they used a long bar to connect the aircraft
for Me262 tug a glide bomb http://link.okfoto.co.kr/L_storage4/137792/2005022001060225.jpg
and Ar-234 tug fueltank build from V-1 http://z.greyfalcon.us/zz1.jpg
in 1963 the concept reused at Luftwaffe for F-104 for fueltanks
http://www.rolfferch.de/F104G/assets/images/Projekt_Schlepptanks_klein.jpg

 

[Jemiba]

To me it looks, as the F-80 would be carried with its nose in a recess in the B-29s tail, so
maybe the F-80 pilot would be able to board his aircraft during flight. Aerodynamically both
aircraft would be an entity, as long as they stay coupled, whereas in "Starrschlepp" (fixed tow)
or "Deichselschlepp" (drawbar tow), the towed aircraft still had some freedom to move, IIRC.