<hi style=afpcap>Ongoing development of the parasite theory spurned several designs during the early '50s. McDonnell built two XF-85s in 1946 for transportation beneath a large aircraft such as the B-36, although trials with a B-29 as the mothership were abandoned. In its place was the Republic GRF-84F which was attached to the GRB-36F by a trapeze which was mounted beneath the mothership. A further 12 B-36s were modified to carry fighters in this manner, or to serve as launch vehicles and controllers for the GAM missile development. The programme was known as FICON which was an abbreviation for Fighter Conveyor. </hi>
