Drapes,
I believe that our septic cousins did at one time experiment with a fighter rocket launched from the back of a lorry. It would be recovered to a normal runway after it's mission was complete. The idea being to have fighters close to the "enemy" border ready for close support for the army.
I also believe that an aircraft carrier was fitted with a rubber covered deck for aircraft landing trials for aircraft with no landing gear fitted! The aircraft being launched by a catapult like Seafires off WW2 merchant ships. This idea was never pursued further than the trials stage! I understand that this idea was British and Vampires/Venoms were used.
Maybe somebody from the History/Nostalgia forum will be able to add some input to this.
CC