XF-85 Goblin
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| McDonnell XF-85 Goblin | ||
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| Missing image Goblin.jpg XF-85 Goblin | ||
| Description | ||
| Role | Parasite fighter | |
| Crew | 1 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 14 ft 10 in | 4.5 m |
| Wingspan | 21 ft 1 in | 6.4 m |
| Height | 8 ft 3 in | 2.5 m |
| Wing area | 90 ft² | 8.3 m² |
| Weights | ||
| Empty | 3,740 lb | 1,696 kg |
| Loaded | 4,550 lb | 2,063 kg |
| Powerplant | ||
| Engines | Westinghouse XJ-34 | |
| Thrust | 3,000 lbf | 13 kN |
| Performance | ||
| Maximum speed | 664 mph | 1,069 km/h |
| Combat range | ||
| Ferry range | ||
| Service ceiling | 48,000 ft | 15,000 m |
| Rate of climb | 12,500 ft/min | 3,800 m/min |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 4 times 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns | |
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. Its first flight was on 23 August, 1948.
Two prototypes were built, and both still survive; one in the USAF Air Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ashland, Ohio and the other at the Strategic Air Command Museum outside Omaha, Nebraska.
Four factors combined to kill the XF-85 program.
- Docking with the bomber 'host' proved much more difficult than thought; even experienced test pilots had trouble.
- The XF-85 was no match for the conventional enemy fighters it would have to engage to defend the bombers - it was slower and much more lightly armed.
- The range of jet escort fighters improved so that they could accompany the bombers further.
- Tight budgets meant that less important programs were canned.
All tests undertaken on the XF-85 were carried out using a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber because a prototype B-36 was unavailable. Later, a B-36 was used as a mother ship for similar tests, carrying a conventional Republic F-84 Thunderstreak fighter. These tests, known as FICON (Fighter Conveyor) experiments, were also found to be of little long term practical use and the whole concept was dropped.
External links
- USAF Museum: XF-85 on display (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/air_power/ap38.htm), XF-85 testing (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/air_power/xf85t.htm), and more XF-85 information (http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/research/fighter/f85.htm).
| Related content | |
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| Related Development | |
| Similar Aircraft | |
| Designation Series | |
| Related Lists | List of military aircraft of the United States - List of fighter aircraft |
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