Txmustangflyer

The spruce goose comes to mind. Origionally designed for safe troop transport out of reach of German Uboats, it started design and prototype by Howard Hughea during the war, but its first, and brief, flight was in like 47 or 48? Otherwise known as the H-4 Hercules

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Not the Spruce Goose, Sir. But you do earn a bonus clue to accompany today's clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Not the Spruce Goose, Sir. But you do earn a bonus clue to accompany today's clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.

Txmustangflyer

In that case, glide testing indicayes ricket power.

the x1 flew first in 49. The x2 started design in 45 as well, but first glide test did not happen until 1952

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Not the X-1, X-2 or any of the series, as your bonus clue will show, Tex. But your logic was impeccable. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.

Txmustangflyer

I don't think the A12/SR71 underwent glide tests...

Junkers Ju 287. Started as a testbed aircraft, prototype was built, later captured by soviets. It flew in 47..

So, how about the F101/rf-101 Voodoo

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sir; neither the Ju 287 or the Voodoo. But you do earn a bonus clue for your efforts as well as the regularly scheduled morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.

Txmustangflyer

Xf85 Goblin

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Tex; you must have one heck of a question you want to ask when you get up next. Not the Goblin; but it wasn't a bad answer and you earn a bonus clue once again. Thanks; Ernie P.
What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.

Txmustangflyer

Leduc 0.10, 0.21 abd 0.22 the first two were purely testbeds. 0.10 was proof of concept, 0.21 to develop controls for the ramjet and 0.22 a self sufficient intercepter prototype which was scrubbed by the french military.
starting development in the 1930s, 0.10 was mostly completed at the outbreak if WWII, with the prototype kept secret from the Nazi's throyghout the war. It first flew in 1947. Glide tests first, followed by powered flight. Its significant as it was the furst manbed ramjet engine.
the 0.22 was also significant as it was the first manned attempt to break the sound barrier but suffered from too much drag to attain that velocity.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

You know, I'm always surprised by how many aircraft fit all the clues, and are still the wrong answer. Maybe the next clue will help your search. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.



13. When it came time for the unpowered glider tests, the subject plane was carried to altitude by a B-29.

Txmustangflyer

That only leaves project tip tow and the F84.

Bud Anderson was part of the program and made the first airborne reconnection.

Hydro Junkie

I want to say the XF-90 but I can't find anything about using landing skids instead of landing gear

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sorry, Tex; but I have to disagree. There is at least one other plane that meets all the clues; that being the correct answer. I'll award one last clue before I call it a night. Good night, Chet. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.



13. When it came time for the unpowered glider tests, the subject plane was carried to altitude by a B-29.



14. The plane was designed with an escape module for pilot safety.

Txmustangflyer

Other than tip tow, all other parasite aircraft programs were used on B36 or B52's

Experimental aircraft that launched from b-29s were the x1 and x2. The x1 had a hatch, no ejection seat, even. The x2 also did not.

the x3 never launched parasite. It was turbine powered and took off from the ground. It led to the F104 starfighter. So other than the F84, the Yrf84 , the goblin, and the x-1 and x-2, no other aircraft used a B29 as a "mothership"

I've checked and rechecked that info across six websites.

Txmustangflyer

Xf90 was never carried by a superfortress. It was tested from ground only. Initial tests showed it to be too underpowered, even with afturburners. The voodoo was also underpowered and was later modified to have afterburners.

What may be confusing the answer is the B29 clue. B-50's were often confused with B29s. They looked similar but the B50 had bigger engines and a taller fin/rudder. It was not a B29 variant, but had its own designation.

A B50 was used alongside a B29 as mothership to the x-1 and x-2 tests, so that clue is ambiguous. I have found a number of picture references of x1 launches calling the mothership a b-29..when, in the picture, its a B50. They are hard to tell apart unless parked right next to each other.

When the B36 came into service, b29 and b50 motherships were no longer used. The b36 had the ability to reach higher altitudes and carry larger payloads. The superfortess motherships were retired with most remaining b29s and b50s being converted to air refueling tankers.

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-americas-b-50-bomber-was-much-more-evolved-b-29-superfortress-105876

Txmustangflyer

The only other aircraft dropped or towed from a B29 was not even American, but German. A captured ME 163 comet was towed to altitude by a B29 and released, but questions about the Komet's structural integrity arose and it was grounded from futher testing. None if the planned, powered, tests were conducted as a result. The X-1 flew 1 year later.
During WWII, the Komet was towed to altitude by Heinkel bombers. The B29 test was not the first flight. The Komet used a skid for landing. It could also take off from the ground if it had its rocket engine, using a wheeled cradle. However, it was generally towed and air launched due to limited fuel capacity.

The captured Komet now sits, unrestored, outside the room which houses the smithsonian air and space spacecraft collection.

Fun fact. The ME 163 was built, largely, from plywood..that, combined with the unstable nature if its rocket engine cost the Germans more than a few pilots..they were, quite literally, death traps. One small fuel leak and it would immediately be engulfed.

The Komet was a glider test bed first, later, the design modified as a rocket powered interceptor. Hence the retractable skid and no provisions whatsoever for more conventional landing gear. In combat, Komets downed 18 aircraft, with ten losses, but greater numbers were lost in training and ground take off, and landing, caused by pilot error, fuel leaks, fires, etc. Over 300 were built, but lack of engines and their H-Stoff fuel relegated most to gliders.

So, other than the X-1, X-2, and the few Voodoo glide tests, the Me 163 Komet was the only other aircraft that used the B-29 as a mothership/tow-ship. It was towed to altitude, as the Voodoo later was. Neither were attached as "parasite" aircraft that I know of, as the X-1 and X-2 later were.

Hydro Junkie

I know there were some aircraft taken up by B-52s, the X-15 and HL-10 being two that come to mind. Both of these, however, were in the 1960s and 70s. In fact, an HL10 crash was actually used as part of the intro to the TV show "The Six Million Dollar Man". The HL-10 was also shown in one episode during the series, where it had been sabotaged and only the bionic arm of the Lee Majors character, Steve Austin, saved the craft from a catastrophic crash.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Sorry, HJ; but I didn't see this last night, probably because I was answering Tex's guess when it came in. I'll award a bonus clue in a separate post. Thanks; Ernie P.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Okay; here's a morning clue and a couple of bonus clues for the efforts and thought HJ and Tex have invested. You guys are thinking straight; but remember who's asking the question. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.



13. When it came time for the unpowered glider tests, the subject plane was carried to altitude by a B-29.



14. The plane was designed with an escape module for pilot safety.



15. The escape module had already been tested on a B-25, with promising results.



16. Wind tunnel and aerodynamic testing has revealed some problems with stability.



17. These problems could lead to a non-recoverable stall.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Afternoon clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.



13. When it came time for the unpowered glider tests, the subject plane was carried to altitude by a B-29.



14. The plane was designed with an escape module for pilot safety.



15. The escape module had already been tested on a B-25, with promising results.



16. Wind tunnel and aerodynamic testing has revealed some problems with stability.



17. These problems could lead to a non-recoverable stall.



18. These were eventually solved by adding aerodynamic devices.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Evening clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.



13. When it came time for the unpowered glider tests, the subject plane was carried to altitude by a B-29.



14. The plane was designed with an escape module for pilot safety.



15. The escape module had already been tested on a B-25, with promising results.



16. Wind tunnel and aerodynamic testing has revealed some problems with stability.



17. These problems could lead to a non-recoverable stall.



18. These were eventually solved by adding aerodynamic devices.



19. Which became almost iconic in their own right.

Ernie P.

My Feedback: (3)

Morning clue. Thanks; Ernie P.


What warbird do I describe?



1. This aircraft’s design was begun during WWII.



2. However, the war ended before the prototype was completed.



3. And there was a delay before work was restarted.



4. Several years passed before the aircraft first flew.



5. And then, only for gliding tests.



6. It didn’t actually fly under power for another three years after the gliding tests began.



7. It originated with plans for a reconnaissance plane.



8. But then it was decided the plane might be used for other purposes.



9. So, a parallel program was started.



10. In the end, the plane was constructed more as a research project; although the intent was always to use the plane, and information gained, for military purposes.



11. The intent for both planes was they be launched from a mother ship.



12. And, for testing purposes, landing skids were used.



13. When it came time for the unpowered glider tests, the subject plane was carried to altitude by a B-29.



14. The plane was designed with an escape module for pilot safety.



15. The escape module had already been tested on a B-25, with promising results.



16. Wind tunnel and aerodynamic testing has revealed some problems with stability.



17. These problems could lead to a non-recoverable stall.



18. These were eventually solved by adding aerodynamic devices.



19. Which became almost iconic in their own right.



20. And a new prototype was built with these improvements.