SKYHOOKERS: An Illustrated History of Hook-on Aircraft and Their Dirigible Motherships

1-251960

Details how Zeppelins and large bombers were vulnerable to fast, maneuverable interceptors -- and to combat this, a solution was the use of Composite aircraft, where larger bombers carried smaller short-range fighters which could be launched and retrieved as needed. Analyzes how the Germans briefly experimented with carrying parasite aircraft, while the British conducted post-war trials, and the US Navy and Army further developed this concept. The US perfected the carry/launch/retrieval method for airship defense and scouting, notably with the USS Los Angeles. Contains 175 mono illustrations.