The McDonnell Aircraft Corp. developed the XF-85 Goblin "parasite" fighter to protect B-36 bombers flying far beyond the range of conventional escort fighters. The "parent" B-36 would carry the XF-85 within a bomb bay -- if enemy fighters appeared, the Goblin would be lowered on a trapeze and released to combat the attackers. Once the enemy had been driven away, the Goblin would return to the B-36, reattach to the trapeze, and be lifted back into the bomb bay.
Two test aircraft were ordered in October 1945, and flight testing with a modified B-29 began in 1948. Test pilots could successfully launch the XF-85, but the turbulent air under the B-29 made recovery difficult and hazardous. About half of the Goblin flights ended with emergency ground landings after the test pilot could not hook up to the B-29.
No XF-85s were ever launched or carried by a B-36. The program ended in late 1949 when aerial refueling of conventional fighter aircraft showed greater promise. The XF-85 was transferred to the museum in 1950.
TECHNICAL NOTES:
Crew: One
Armament: Four .50-cal. machine guns
Engine: One Westinghouse XJ-34 turbojet of 3,000 lbs. thrust
Maximum speed: 650 mph
Weight: 4,550 lbs.
Maximum endurance: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Info source:
http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/195800/mcdonnell-xf-85-goblin.aspx
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More info here:
http://military.wikia.com/wiki/McDonnell_XF-85_Goblin
Great find. I had never seen that video or the other info. On a historical note, they mentioned the flight test was at Muroc, renamed Edwards AFB in 1949 for Capt. Glen Edwards. The site was a water stop on the Southern Pacific since 1876. You knew I would find a train connection. :)
ReplyDeleteThe B-36 was a cool aircraft also. Six turnin, four burnin.
https://youtu.be/VGjyH2ulsCk
I won't even mention the alien connection with the reference to "mothership".
Good link, thanks! Just thought this was a neat idea - way ahead of it's time!
ReplyDeleteI remember building model kits of those when I was but a wee sprout.
ReplyDeleteI think we all did back then. My brother and I would hang ours from the ceiling with a piece of string! Models were fun to make except - if you lost a part! :o)
DeleteWe visited the Museum of The Air Force this summer, saw both the B-36 and the Goblin. Great museum and we spent two days there.
ReplyDeleteI've seen pictures of that museum on line. Fascinating place and I bet you could have spent more than two days looking at everything!!
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