Cold War Long-Range Jet Fighter Program
Language: English
Published by Pen and Sword Books Ltd, GB, 2026
- Hardcover
- New
Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, London, United KingdomRarewaves.com USA
AbeBooks seller since June 11, 2025
Condition: New
£ 31.40
Quantity: 4 available
Add to basketItem description from seller
After the Second World War, the introduction of the six-engine Consolidated-Vultee B-36 Peacemaker bomber, capable of intercontinental ranges of 5,000 miles or more, reignited the long-standing problem of fighter escort. Early-generation US jet fighters consumed enormous amounts of fuel and lacked the endurance to accompany the B-36 over extended distances. Designing a jet fighter with enough fuel capacity for such missions would result in an aircraft far too large and unwieldy to engage smaller, more agile enemy interceptors effectively.In response, during the early Cold War, the United States Air Force explored two experimental methods to extend fighter range. The first was wingtip-to-wingtip towing, in which a fighter would attach itself to the bomber's wing for fuel support. The second involved carrying a fighter inside the bomber's bomb bay on a trapeze mechanism, allowing it to be launched and later recovered in flight.Because the B-36 faced developmental delays, the widely available Boeing B-29 Superfortress initially served as the test platform. Boeing ETB-29A bombers were paired with Republic EF-84D Thunderjet fighters, which practiced attaching and detaching from the B-29 wingtips. Following these early trials, the concept of the bomb-bay-mounted 'parasite' fighter resurfaced with the diminutive, jet-powered XP-85 Goblin. Designed exclusively as a parasite aircraft, the Goblin could launch from the B-36 to intercept enemy aircraft and later dock again in midair. Despite promising test flights, docking challenges and the Goblin's underwhelming performance relative to enemy jets led to cancellation.In 1952-53, the FICON (FIghter CONveyor) program tested carrying an RF-84F/K Thunderflash inside the B-36's trapeze-equipped bomb bay. While escort missions were initially envisioned, the program shifted toward tactical reconnaissance and strike missions. The B-36 would deliver the faster, more agile fighter near a target for reconnaissance or nuclear strike, then recover it afterward. The success of the U-2 spy plane and midair refueling ultimately rendered parasite aircraft experiments obsolete.Packed with over 150 photographs, this book is the first to examine this extraordinary and unusual chapter in Cold War aviation history, highlighting some of the most inventive and unconventional experiments ever attempted.…
Seller Inventory # LU-9781036196080
- Title
- Cold War Long-Range Jet Fighter Program
- Author
- William Wolf
- Publisher
- Pen and Sword Books Ltd, GB
- Publication year
- 2026
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Hardback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1036196089
- ISBN 13
- 9781036196080
"Synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
"About the title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Rarewaves.com USA
London, London, United Kingdom
AbeBooks seller since June 11, 2025
Shipping rates from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
| Item | 7 to 12 business days | 7 to 12 business days |
|---|---|---|
| First item | £ 0.00 | £ 0.00 |
Payment methods
Seller's business information
RAREWAVES.COM LIMITED
Elsley Court, 20-22 Great Titchfield Street
London, United Kingdom W1W 8BE
Right of withdrawal
If you are a consumer you can withdraw from the contract in accordance with the following. Consumer means any natural person who is acting for purposes which are outside his trade, business, craft or profession.
Information regarding the right of withdrawal
Statutory right to withdraw
You have the right to withdraw from this contract within 14 days without giving any reason.
The withdrawal period will expire after 14 days from the day on which you acquire, or a third party other than the carrier and indicated by you acquires, physical possession of the last good or the last lot or piece.
To exercise the right of withdrawal, electronically fill in and submit a clear statement on our website, under "My Purchases" in "My Account". We will communicate to you an acknowledgement of receipt of such a withdrawal on a durable medium (e.g. by e-mail) without delay.
To meet the withdrawal deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right of withdrawal before the withdrawal period has expired.
Effects of withdrawal
If you withdraw from this contract, we will reimburse to you all payments received from you, including the costs of delivery (except for the supplementary costs arising if you chose a type of delivery other than the least expensive type of standard delivery offered by us).
We may make a deduction from the reimbursement for loss in value of any goods supplied, if the loss is the result of unnecessary handling by you.
We will make the reimbursement without undue delay, and not later than 14 days after the day on which we are informed about your decision to withdraw from this contract.
We will make the reimbursement using the same means of payment as you used for the initial transaction, unless you have expressly agreed otherwise; in any event, you will not incur any fees as a result of such reimbursement.
We may withhold reimbursement until we have received the goods back, or you have supplied evidence of having sent back the goods, whichever is the earliest.
You shall send back the goods or hand them over to Rarewaves.com USA, Unit 144 The Lightbox, 111 Power Road, W4 5PY, London, London, United Kingdom, without undue delay and in any event not later than 14 days from the day on which you communicate your withdrawal from this contract to us. The deadline is met if you send back the goods before the period of 14 days has expired. You will have to bear the direct cost of returning the goods. You are only liable for any diminished value of the goods resulting from the handling other than what is necessary to establish the nature, characteristics and functioning of the goods.
Exceptions to the right of withdrawal
The right of withdrawal does not apply to:
- The delivery of newspapers, journals or magazines with the exception of subscription contracts; and
- The supply of digital content which is not supplied on a tangible medium (e.g. on a CD or DVD) if you accepted when you placed your order that we could start to deliver it, and that you could not withdraw once delivery had started.
Shipping terms
Please note that we do not offer Priority shipping to any country.
We currently do not ship to the below countries:
Russia
Belarus
Ukraine
Please do not attempt to place orders with any of these countries as a ship to address - they will be cancelled.