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echo: aviation
to: ALL
from: JIM SANDERS
date: 1998-04-11 11:24:00
subject: Xf-85

                      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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--- DB 1.39/004487
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* Origin: Volunteer BBS (423) 694-0791 V34+/VFC (1:218/1001.1)

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