National Air and Space Museum Archives

Project FICON Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NASM.2004.0065
Creators:
United States. Air Force
Dates:
bulk 1954
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.18 Cubic feet
(1 box)
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
This collection consists of the following Project FICON material: one 8 by 10 inch print of the B-36 with YRF-84F: Consolidated Vultee report, "FICON Doors, 11/1/1954;" and two Air Force manuals, "USAF Series GRB-36D-III Maintenance Instructions, 7/30/1954" and "Utility Flight Handbook for GRB-36D-III/RF-84F revised 8/27/1954."

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
During the early 1950s, the Air Force decided to conduct experiments on the feasibility of B-36s carrying fighter aircraft suspended under their bellies so that the bomber could carry the fighter longer distances to a combat zone. Upon reaching the edge of the enemy's territory, the fighter would be released to conduct reconnaissance or bombing missions on its own. The fighter could then return for hookup and the flight back to home base.
Biographical / Historical
The YRF-84F "FICON" (which is a contraction of "Fighter" and "Conveyer") was redesigned from the YF-96A so that it could be carried by a B-36. As the FICON, it made its first flight on March 30, 1953. Twenty-five RF-84Fs were eventually converted to the FICON configuration and were operated by the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. However, subsequent development of midair refueling for range extension of fighter aircraft proved so successful that experiments with parasite fighters were discontinued.

Administration

Immediate Source of Acquisition
Willis L. Supri, Gift, 2004

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
Project FICON Collection, Accession 2004-0065, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Consolidated GRB-36F (FICON/F-84F Carrier) Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Aeronautics Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Aeronautics, Military Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Technical manuals -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

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