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 retrieved from an EB-29B on several test flights, it was
never flown from a B-36. The test program was canceled in late 1949
when mid-air refueling of fighter aircraft for range extension began
to show greater promise.
TYPE: XF-85 Number built/Converted: 2
Remarks: Parasite fighter
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 turbojet 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
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* Origin: Volunteer BBS (423) 694-0791 V34+/VFC (1:218/1001.1)
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