McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

The XF-85 parasite aircraft was developed to protect B-36 bombers flying beyond the range of conventional escort fighters. In theory, a B-36 penetrating enemy territory would carry its protecting fighter in the bomb bay. If attacked by enemy aircraft, the bomber would lower the Goblin on a trapeze and release it to combat the attackers. After the enemy had been driven away, the parasite fighter would return to the bomber, hook onto the trapeze, fold its wings, and be lifted back into the bomb bay. Although the XF-85 was successfully launched and flown from an EB-29B on several test flights, it was never successfully recovered in flight or flown from a B-36. The test program was cancelled in late 1949 when mid-air refuelling of fighter aircraft for range extension began to show greater promise.

Two Goblins were built. Flight of the No. 1 aircraft was delayed by ground test damage, so on August 23, 1948, the No. 2 aircraft (S/N 46-524) made the first flight. The XF-85 on display (S/N 46-523), the first Goblin built, made its first and only flight on April 8, 1949. It was transferred to the USAF Museum on August 23, 1950 after cancellation of the XF-85 program.

SPECIFICATIONS
Span: 21 ft. 1 in.
Length: 14 ft. 1 in.
Height: 8 ft. 3 in.
Weight: 4,550 lbs.
Armament: Four .50-cal. machine guns
Engine: One Westinghouse XJ-34 of 3,000 lbs. thrust
Crew: One

PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed: 650 mph.
Combat speed: 581 mph.
Maximum endurance: 1 hr. 20 min.
Combat Ceiling: 46,750 ft.