Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!decwrl!labrea!eos!steve
From: steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson)
Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle
Subject: Re: Aurora recovery by C-5
Message-ID: <3014@eos.UUCP>
Date: 28 Mar 89 05:35:51 GMT
References: <7.UUL1.3#5131@mvac.UUCP> <3412@aplcomm.jhuapl.edu> <2953@eos.UUCP> <385@illusion.UUCP>
Reply-To: steve@eos.UUCP (Steve Philipson)
Organization: NASA Ames Research Center, Calif.
Lines: 28

In article <385@illusion.UUCP> marcus@illusion.UUCP (Marcus Hall) writes:

>There was a project that used a B-36 to carry small fighters around (F-86's?)
>and they did launch and recover them in flight.  They did use a system where
>the fighter flew in formation under the B-36 until an attachment was made,
>then the B-36 hauled the fighter in.  I believe that they tried out two
>systems, one carried a single fighter under the belley, another carried two
>planes, one under each wing.

   The project never got beyond the research stage, and was deemed
impractical for operational use.  Also, the advent of mid-air
refuelling helped to kill the "parasite fighter" programs.

   One of the test fighters for this system is available for public
viewing at the Planes of Fame Museum at Chino airport (east end of
the Los Angeles basin).  Some interesting features of the plane are
horizontal stabilizers canted DOWN to avoid interference with the
mother ship, and a large hook attachement in front of the canopy.
The material that the hook is made of is quite interesting... after
many years under the sun, the aluminum skin of the aircraft appears
somewhat worn and corroded, but the hook shines brightly as if it
just came right off a production line.  Chrome moly steel perhaps?

-- 

						   Steve
					(the certified flying fanatic)
					    steve@aurora.arc.nasa.gov