McDonnell XF-85 Goblin

The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was a fighter aircraft, conceived during World War II and intended to be carried in the bomb bay of the giant Convair B-36 bomber as a defensive "parasite fighter." Because of its small and rotund appearance, it was nicknamed "The Flying Egg." McDonnell built two Goblin prototypes (USAF Serial no. #46-523 and #46-524). During wind tunnel testing at Moffett Field, California, the first prototype XF-85 was damaged. Consequently, it was the second aircraft that was used for the initial flight trials; its first flight was on 23 August 1948. As a prototype B-36 was unavailable, all XF-85 flight tests were carried out using a converted Boeing EB-29 Superfortress parent ship. On the first flight, after a little over two hours it became obvious that turbulence around the bomber created difficult control problems. In flight, the tiny fighter was stable, easy to fly and recovered well from spins.[2] However, many pilots found it difficult to hook the Goblin to its bomber's trapeze.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• McDonnell
• XF-85
• Goblin
• Cold
• War
• parasite
• fighter
• aircraft
• USAF
• The
• Flying
• Egg
• B-29
• Superfortress
• B-36

[testpilot123]

Carrier has arrived.

[greenhornet299]

You have a GREAT site....5 star videos....keep them coming my friend!!

[ProjectFlashlight612]

The system was tried again in the mid-50s, with a Republic F-84 Thunderstreak, and this time it worked. So well, in fact, that the B-36/F-84 combo entered actual service...for about nine months, ending in 1956. By that time, the B-36 was completely obsolete and was being replaced by the B-52, so there was no point to it any longer.

[Trackball115]

Very ugly plane

[matrix49A]

Looks like he approached too fast

[BlackHawk571X]

The World's Second Airborne Piston Engine Carrier

[FierySockHat]

I wonder if my great grandpa helped design this one :/

It is an extremely good idea though!

[FierySockHat]

@testpilot123 WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN

[Opalin]

Got to see one of these at the AF museum, I love the idea, but understand why it was scrapped. 

[eazyrider17]

That's why I love the Air Force, we actually try stuff that insane.