Republic YRF-84F Ficon 49-2430 USAF Museum 26-9-07
"Ficon" stands for Fighter Conveyor, a 1950s USAF project to test the feasibility of a Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber carrying a Republic RF-84K Thunderflash parasite fighter in its bomb bay. This particular aircraft was originally designated YF-96A, and was the prototype of the standard F-84F Thunderstreak. The Ficon program was cancelled in 1956, due to the B-36 having become obsolete and the advent of aircraft such as the U-2.
Republic YRF-84F Ficon 49-2430 USAF Museum 26-9-07
"Ficon" stands for Fighter Conveyor, a 1950s USAF project to test the feasibility of a Convair B-36 Peacemaker bomber carrying a Republic RF-84K Thunderflash parasite fighter in its bomb bay. This particular aircraft was originally designated YF-96A, and was the prototype of the standard F-84F Thunderstreak. The Ficon program was cancelled in 1956, due to the B-36 having become obsolete and the advent of aircraft such as the U-2.