Boeing 747 AAC Concept

[Smokeysama]

I tried searching to see if this was something anyone ever spoke about on here, but couldn’t find any such thread.

So with that, how many of you were aware of this concept 747-200 from the early 70’s? The concept was to create (basically) an airship that could launch, refuel, and resupply “micro-fighters”. Yes, you read that correctly. I happened to stumble across the source randomly through the “Aviation” page on Reddit, which then routed me to this site! Definitely an interesting read. Albeit I totally get how this never went into production. The thought of launching another aircraft out of a larger one and then somehow catching it and storing it until the next sorti is absolutely bonkers. Yet still I keep asking myself would it even be possible by today’s standards.

p.s. The C-5 Galaxy was also a contender as a possible airship, but Boeing thought the 742 be best (of course they did)

http://www.boeing-747.com/special_boeing_747s/boeing-747-aac.html

[Daniel14]

Well… that looks interesting.🤔

[Aussie_Cockatoo]

Wish this actually came to life!

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Flying aircraft carriers…hmm…

[Aussie_Wombat]

Oh, wow. Never knew of this. It certainly looks interesting

[Mario_Puig]

Interesting! Boeing and its unique ideas. Thanks for sharing.

[Fynn]

They did this but actually went into test fasces on the B-36 Peace Maker

[anon31652286]

Wow, never heard of this. Would’ve been pretty cool, but slightly insane at the same time of course.

[Gavin_Hertel]

Would the jets land in the recovery bay? It would be interesting to watch the pilots pull it off if they did land there. 👌

[Fynn]

It actually worked for the b-36 but was hard to land back in this sling device

[Smokeysama]

Wow had no idea this B-36 variant even existed!! Based on the photos I found it was a pretty crazy design. And such a narrow body to try and fit other aircrafts inside. Incredible the main hick up was trying to get fighters back inside. But again, I see how difficult that could be. Especially to try and get the craft to hook onto a “sling” basically, and then retract it back inside.

[CJLAviation]

They probably wouldn’t build this now a days. They wouldn’t have much need for something like this anymore. :)

[Smokeysama]

Well yeah, but aircraft carriers in the 70’s weren’t the same as what they are now

[Spencer_Chapman]

This would have made for a very scary experience for our enemies. A 747 giving birth to baby killers. Imagine looking to the sky and seeing that.

[Smokeysama]

RIGHT!! It makes me think of like a reverse Independence Day with a mothership 747 just spewing smaller craft

[Sam_S]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing. I wonder how many would fit inside of a C-5.