# Parasite aircraft

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Small plane aboard an airborne carrier

An [F-84 Thunderjet](/source/F-84_Thunderjet) hooked on a [FICON](/source/FICON_project) trapeze beneath its mother ship

A **parasite aircraft** is a component of a [composite aircraft](/source/Composite_aircraft) which is carried aloft and [air launched](/source/Air_launch) by a larger carrier aircraft or [mother ship](/source/Mother_ship) to support the primary mission of the carrier. The carrier craft may or may not be able to later recover the parasite during flight.

The first parasite aircraft flew in 1916, when the [British](/source/United_Kingdom) launched a [Bristol Scout](/source/Bristol_Scout) from a [Felixstowe Porte Baby](/source/Felixstowe_Porte_Baby) [flying boat](/source/Flying_boat). The idea eventually developed into jet [bombers](/source/Bomber) carrying fully capable parasite fighters. With the advent of long-range fighters equipped with [air-to-air missiles](/source/Air-to-air_missile), and [aerial refueling](/source/Aerial_refueling), parasite fighters fell out of use.

## Parasite fighters

[Bristol Scout](/source/Bristol_Scout) on [Porte Baby](/source/Porte_Baby)

Until the middle of the 20th century there was military interest in parasite fighters – fighter aircraft intended to be carried into a combat zone by a larger aircraft, such as a [bomber](/source/Bomber_aircraft). If the bomber were threatened, the parasite would be released to defend it. Parasite fighters have never been highly successful and have seldom been used in combat. A major disadvantage of a parasite aircraft was that it reduced the payload capacity of the carrier aircraft. Projects for this type were designed to overcome the great disparity in range between bombers and their [escort fighters](/source/Escort_fighter). Development of [aerial refueling](/source/Aerial_refueling) has made parasite fighters obsolete.

### 1910s

The first parasite fighters were launched and recovered from trapezes mounted externally to military [airships](/source/Airship). In 1915 [Neville Usborne](/source/Neville_Usborne) and another British officer worked on a plan to lift a [BE.2](/source/BE.2)C fighter under an [SS-class](/source/SS_class_airship) non-rigid airship. This would allow the fighter to reach the height of a raiding Zeppelin rapidly while also conserving fuel. In the first experimental flight on 21 February 1916, the envelope lost pressure and the plane was prematurely separated from it at 4,000 feet. Both officers were killed and there was no further experimentation with small airships.[1]

In May 1916 a [Bristol Scout](/source/Bristol_Scout) flown by Flt. Lt. M. J. Day was mounted above the top wing of a [Porte Baby](/source/Felixstowe_Porte_Baby) flying boat flown by Sqn. Ldr [John Cyril Porte](/source/John_Cyril_Porte), and was successfully released at a height of 1000 ft (300 m). Although successful, the scheme, intended to provide long-range defence against [Zeppelins](/source/Zeppelin), was not pursued.[2]

A [Sopwith 2F.1 Camel](/source/Sopwith_Camel) secured under the British [HM Airship 23r](/source/23-class_airship#23r)

In 1918 the [Royal Air Force](/source/Royal_Air_Force) experimented with launching [Sopwith Camel](/source/Sopwith_Camel) fighters from [HM Airship 23](/source/23-class_airship).[1]

The Germans also experimented with the idea, suspending an [Albatros D.III](/source/Albatros_D.III) fighter aeroplane below a Zeppelin and releasing it at altitude: the intention was to use the aeroplane to defend airships against the British seaplane patrols encountered over the North Sea. Although the single trial, made on 25 January 1918, was successful the experiments were not continued.[3]

On 12 December 1918, in a test to determine the feasibility of carrying fighter aircraft on dirigibles, the airship [C-1](/source/C-class_blimp) lifted a US Army [Curtiss JN-4](/source/Curtiss_JN-4) aircraft to 2,500 feet over [Fort Tilden](/source/Fort_Tilden), New York, and at that height released it for a free flight back to base. The airship was piloted by Lieutenant George Crompton, Dirigible Officer at NAS Rockaway, and the airplane by Lieutenant A. W. Redfield, USA, commander of the 52nd Aero Squadron based at [Mineola](/source/Roosevelt_Field_(airport)) (Long Island, NY).

### 1920s

The British [Imperial Airship Scheme](/source/Imperial_Airship_Scheme) of 1924 envisaged a commercial airship that could also carry five fighter aircraft if put into military use, but this requirement was abandoned.[4] In [1925](/source/1925_in_aviation) first the [DH.53](/source/De_Havilland_Humming_Bird) light aeroplane and then [Gloster Grebes](/source/Gloster_Grebe) had been launched from the airship [R.33](/source/R33_class_airship).[1]

### 1930s

A [Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawk](/source/Curtiss_F9C_Sparrowhawk) attached by a "skyhook" to [USS *Macon*](/source/USS_Macon_(ZRS-5))

In 1930, the US Navy airship [USS *Los Angeles*](/source/USS_Los_Angeles_(ZR-3)) was used to test the trapeze system developed to launch and recover fixed wing aircraft from rigid airships.[5] The tests were a success, and the newly built Navy airships [USS *Akron*](/source/USS_Akron) and [USS *Macon*](/source/USS_Macon_(ZRS-5)) were designed to carry parasite aircraft inside a hangar bay within the hull. Each airship could carry up to five single-seat [Curtiss F9C Sparrowhawks](/source/Curtiss_F9C_Sparrowhawk) for scouting or two-seat [Fleet N2Y-1s](/source/Fleet_Model_1) for training. In 1934, two two-seat [Waco UBF XJW-1](/source/Waco_Aircraft_Company) biplanes equipped with skyhooks were delivered to the [USS *Macon*](/source/USS_Macon_(ZRS-5)).

The temporary system was removed from the *Los Angeles*, which never carried any aircraft on operational flights.[6] In 1930, the *Los Angeles* also tested the launching of a [glider](/source/Glider_(aircraft)) over [Lakehurst, New Jersey](/source/Lakehurst%2C_New_Jersey).[7]

Although operations of these parasite aircraft were quite successful, the accidental loss of the *Akron* in 1933 and the *Macon* in 1935, ended the program.

The first bombers to carry parasite fighters did so as part of the [Zveno experiments](/source/Zveno_project) carried out in the [Soviet Union](/source/Soviet_Union) by [Vladimir Vakhmistrov](/source/Vladimir_Vakhmistrov) from 1931. Up to five fighters of various types were carried by [Tupolev TB-1](/source/Tupolev_TB-1) and [Tupolev TB-3](/source/Tupolev_TB-3) bombers.

### 1940s

In August 1941, these combinations would fly the only combat missions ever undertaken by parasite fighters. TB-3s carrying Polikarpov [I-16SPB](/source/Polikarpov_I-16) [dive bombers](/source/Dive_bomber) attacked the [Cernavodă bridge](/source/King_Carol_I_Bridge) and [Constantsa](/source/Constantsa) docks, in [Romania](/source/Romania). After that, this squadron, based in the Crimea, carried out a tactical attack on a bridge over the river [Dnieper](/source/Dnieper) at [Zaporozhye](/source/Zaporizhia), which had been captured by advancing German troops.[8]

Later in [World War II](/source/World_War_II), the *[Luftwaffe](/source/Luftwaffe)* experimented with the [Messerschmitt Me 328](/source/Messerschmitt_Me_328) as a parasite fighter, but problems with its [pulsejet](/source/Pulsejet) engines could not be overcome. Other late-war [rocket](/source/Rocket)-powered projects such as the [Arado E.381](/source/Arado_E.381) and [Sombold So 344](/source/Sombold_So_344) never left the experimental stage. By contrast, the [Empire of Japan](/source/Empire_of_Japan) was able to get the [Yokosuka MXY7 Ohka](/source/Yokosuka_MXY7_Ohka) [kamikaze](/source/Kamikaze) rocket plane type into active service, typically using the [Mitsubishi G4M](/source/Mitsubishi_G4M) (Betty) bomber class to carry them within range. However, their effectiveness proved minimal in part because Allied air naval defense took advantage of the weight of the parasitical aircraft payload slowing the carrying bombers, making them vulnerable to interception before the rocket plane could launch.[9]

### 1950s

During the early years of the [Cold War](/source/Cold_War), the [United States Air Force](/source/United_States_Air_Force) experimented with a variety of parasite fighters to protect its [Convair B-36](/source/Convair_B-36) bombers, including the dedicated [XF-85 Goblin](/source/XF-85_Goblin), and methods of either carrying a [Republic F-84 Thunderjet](/source/Republic_F-84_Thunderjet) in the bomber's bomb bay (the [FICON project](/source/FICON_project)), or attached to the bomber's wingtips ([Project Tom-Tom](/source/FICON_project#Project_Tom-Tom)). One configuration studied for the XF-85/B-36 combination was for a B-36 to drop the XF-85 for a dash across enemy territory for bombing or reconnaissance and for the pilot to hook onto a different B-36 on the other side of the enemy territory. These projects were all soon abandoned, partly because [aerial refueling](/source/Aerial_refueling) appeared as a much safer solution to extend the range of fighters.

## Drone motherships

As of 2014[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Parasite_aircraft&action=edit), [DARPA](/source/DARPA) was working on a project to launch and recover [unmanned aerial vehicles](/source/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle) from larger aircraft.[10]

## Examples

Examples that have flown include:

- A [Bristol Scout](/source/Bristol_Scout) was flown from a [Porte Baby](/source/Felixstowe_Porte_Baby) to become the first parasite aircraft (1916)

- An [Albatros D.III](/source/Albatros_D.III) was flown from [*L 35* (LZ 80)](/source/List_of_Zeppelins) to become the first parasite fighter flying from an airship (January 26, 1918)

- A [Sopwith Camel](/source/Sopwith_Camel) was flown from airship [HMA 23](/source/HMA_23) (1918)

- A [Sperry Messenger](/source/Sperry_Messenger) biplane was launched and recovered by [non-rigid airships](/source/Non-rigid_airships) [Tc-3](/source/Tc-3) and Tc-7 (1923)

- Several [DH 53 Hummingbird](/source/DH_53_Hummingbird) monoplanes were launched and recovered by airship [*R33*](/source/R33_class_airship) (1924), followed by two [Gloster Grebe](/source/Gloster_Grebe) fighters (1925).

- A glider and a biplane were recovered by the [USS *Los Angeles*](/source/USS_Los_Angeles_(ZR-3)). These were followed by the [F9C Sparrowhawk](/source/F9C_Sparrowhawk) escort fighter which flew operationally from [USS *Akron*](/source/USS_Akron_(ZRS-4)) and *[Macon](/source/USS_Macon_(ZRS-5))* (1935).

- [Ohka](/source/Ohka) Rocket plane on the [Mitsubishi G4M](/source/Mitsubishi_G4M).

- [Short S.20 and Short S.21](/source/Short_Mayo_Composite) composite used for transatlantic mail (1937).

- The [Polikarpov I-16](/source/Polikarpov_I-16) modified into a dive bomber carrying two 250 kg bombs (variant TsKB-29), flown from a [Tupolev TB-3](/source/Tupolev_TB-3) as the [Zveno-SPB](/source/Zveno_project) ("composite dive bomber"), was the first parasite aircraft to see combat (1941)

- The [Messerschmitt Me 328](/source/Messerschmitt_Me_328) escort fighter was intended to fly from the [Dornier Do 217](/source/Dornier_Do_217)/[Heinkel He 274](/source/Heinkel_He_274), but this was unsuccessful due to engine problems.

- The [XF-85 Goblin](/source/XF-85_Goblin) was an attempt to equip [B-36](/source/Convair_B-36) [bombers](/source/Bomber) with their own escort fighters, it was also the smallest plane to ever been flown in the airforce (1948)

- The [RF-84K](/source/RF-84K) was a more successful attempt to provide the B-36 with a parasite escort fighter in the [FICON project](/source/FICON_project) (1952)

## Parasite aircraft in popular culture

- In the 1957 film *[Jet Pilot](/source/Jet_Pilot_(film))*, starring [John Wayne](/source/John_Wayne), parasite fighters are an important part of the plot.

- In the 1989 film *[Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade](/source/Indiana_Jones_and_the_Last_Crusade)*, a [Bücker Bü 131 Jungmann](/source/B%C3%BCcker_B%C3%BC_131_Jungmann) biplane is stolen by Indy and his father to escape a [Zeppelin](/source/Zeppelin).

## Gallery

		- [HM Airship 23r](/source/23_class_airship#23r) with underslung [Sopwith Camel](/source/Sopwith_Camel) in 1918.

		- [R33](/source/R33_class_airship) with [Gloster Grebe](/source/Gloster_Grebe) fighters in 1926.

		- [F9C Sparrowhawk](/source/F9C_Sparrowhawk) inside *Akron*'s hangar.

		- [F9C Sparrowhawk](/source/F9C_Sparrowhawk) successfully hooks on to *Akron* trapeze, May 1932.

		- Boeing EB-29 with recovery trapeze deployed for FIghter CONveyer (FICON) trials with McDonnell XF-85 Goblin parasite fighter, seen at bottom

		- A Republic F-84E on [FICON](/source/FICON_project) trapeze

		- EB-29A docked wingtip-to-wingtip with two EF-84Ds in Project Tip-Tow

		- Model of an [Arado Ar 234](/source/Arado_Ar_234) V21 carrying an [Arado E.381](/source/Arado_E.381) at the [Technikmuseum Speyer](/source/Technikmuseum_Speyer)

		- The [USS Los Angeles](/source/USS_Los_Angeles_(ZR-3)) in flight with attached fighter

		- Project *Gremlin* of DARPA

## See also

- [Index of aviation articles](/source/Index_of_aviation_articles)

- [Mistel](/source/Mistel) – German World War II project in which a piloted fighter aimed, then released, a pilotless ("bunker-buster") bomber with an explosive warhead in its nose

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CompositeHistory_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CompositeHistory_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-CompositeHistory_1-2) H. J. C Harper ["Composite History"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1937/1937%20-%203094.html) *Flight* 1 November 1937

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["The Felixstowe Flying Boats"](http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%201726.html). *[Flight](/source/Flight_International)*. 2 December 1955.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Robinson, Douglas H. (1971). *The Zeppelin in Combat* (3rd ed.). Henley-on Thames: Foulis. pp. 246–7. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-85429-130-X](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-85429-130-X).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [Imperial Airship Service](http://www.aht.ndirect.co.uk/airships/imperial/index.html), The Airship Heritage Trust. Accessed 10 June 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Plane Hitched To Dirigible by Hook in Flight."](https://books.google.com/books?id=iuIDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1930+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA182) *Popular Mechanics*, August 1930.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Big Changes Give Giants Of The Air Far Wider Range."](https://books.google.com/books?id=UigDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1931+plane&pg=PA51) *Popular Science,* September 1930; rare photos in article.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Dirigible Launches Glider."](https://books.google.com/books?id=TuQDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1930+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA528) *Popular Mechanics*, April 1930.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Lesnitchenko, Vladimir *Combat Composites: Soviet Use of 'Mother-Ships' to Carry Fighters, 1931-1941* [Air Enthusiast](/source/Air_Enthusiast) No.84 November/December 1999 pp. 4-21

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [https://www.nevingtonwarmuseum.com/german-emergency-fighter-program.html](https://www.nevingtonwarmuseum.com/german-emergency-fighter-program.html)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Locker, Ray (10 November 2014). ["Pentagon seeks aircraft-based drones for future missions"](https://www.usatoday.com/story/nation/2014/11/10/aircraft-based-drones-sought-by-pentagon/18779017/). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. Retrieved 10 November 2014.

## Bibliography

- Hallstead, William F. (2001). "Parasite Aircraft". *Aviation History*. **12** (2): 38–45. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1076-8858](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1076-8858).

- Lesnitchenko, Vladimir (November–December 1999). "Combat Composites: Soviet Use of 'Mother-ships' to Carry Fighters, 1939–1941". *Air Enthusiast* (84): 4–21. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0143-5450](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0143-5450).

## External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Parasite aircraft](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Parasite_aircraft).

- [Pre World War II Russian parasite fighters](https://web.archive.org/web/20070203191515/http://aeroweb.lucia.it/rap/RAFAQ/Zveno.html)

- [pictures of parasites](https://web.archive.org/web/20091027072156/http://www.geocities.com/usarmyaviationdigest/airborneaircraftcarriers.htm)

- [Recent article advocating parasite aircraft](https://web.archive.org/web/20070206084642/http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj05/sum05/kramlinger.html)

- [Video including XF-85 Goblin in flight and FICON aircraft](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7gdbCVu3_M)

- Goebel, Greg (August 1, 2011). ["The Parasite Fighters"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091103094741/http://www.vectorsite.net/avparsit.html). Archived from the original on November 3, 2009.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Parasite aircraft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite_aircraft) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasite_aircraft?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.