The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin is an American prototype fighter aircraft conceived during World War II by McDonnell Aircraft. It was intended to deploy from the bomb bay of the Convair B-36 bomber as a parasite fighter. The XF-85's intended role was to defend bombers from hostile interceptor aircraft, a need demonstrated during World War II.

DAYTON, Ohio -- McDonnell XF-85 Goblin at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo) The McDonnell Aircraft Corp. developed the XF-85 Goblin "parasite" fighter to protect B-36 bombers flying far beyond the range of conventional escort fighters.

Oldsmobile's solution was a light, small V-8 fitted with a turbocharger to give it the performance of a heavier, larger-displacement engine. The platform for this powerplant was Oldsmobile's unibodied F-85, introduced for 1961 as one of GM's upscale "senior" compacts (though billed as "intermediate" in size, on a 112-inch wheelbase).

Dec 21, 2024 · The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin, a prototype “parasite” fighter jet, is shown attached to the belly of a B-29 bomber. This compact aircraft was designed to defend bombers on intercontinental flights. Image: U.S. Air Force. Yet, the infamously problem-plagued Demon may have been a better design than another McDonnell aircraft of the early Cold ...

Sep 16, 2024 · Looking more like a flying egg than a jet fighter, the XF-85 was an unusual aircraft concept with an unconventional method of protecting U.S. heavy bombers at the outset of the Cold War.

Dec 3, 2021 · Its manufacturer called it the “Goblin”—and by looks alone, the egg-shaped jet certainly deserved the name. The McDonnell XF-85 jet resembled little more than a pressurized cockpit on top of...

Jan 14, 2016 · 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 Peacemaker bomber as a defensive “parasite fighter”. Because of its small and rotund appearance, it …

Aug 11, 2024 · McDonnell engineers managed to shoehorn 112 gallons of jet fuel into this 14-foot-long, 8-foot-high, and 21-foot-wide (wings extended) package. This gave the Goblin a combat endurance of 30 minutes, equivalent to today’s required VFR fuel reserve.

The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin, the smallest jet propelled fighter ever built, was a "parasite" designed to be dropped from a bomber, perform its mission and return to the mother ship. The XF-85...

Sep 11, 2014 · The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was a small parasite jet fighter intended to be carried on long range bombing missions aboard B-36 strategic bombers, and although it was never carried on a B-36 it was flight tested on a B-29.

Oct 27, 2022 · That was the plan for the McDonnell XF-85 “Goblin,” truly a testament to the fact that given enough money and time, the Air Force will try out just about any idea. The Goblin measured just 15 feet...

Aug 3, 2024 · The XF-85 Goblin was the first and only jet-propelled, onboard fighter designed to protect long-range bombers.

Besides being one of the most unique aircraft ever built, its purpose was also one-of-a-kind. Despite giving James Bond vibes, the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin was a very real design for a necessary purpose. So, what became of this odd proposition? Explore the unique history of the smallest fighter jet ever made.

McDonnell unveiled the first XF-85 and modified a B-29 into the EB-29B “MONSTRO” to take the trapeze which would engage the fighter’s retractable hook. Testing of the first XF-85 began at …

Jun 11, 2021 · The McDonnell XF-85 jet resembled little more than a pressurized cockpit on top of a bulbous J34 turbojet engine, with small stubby swept-back wings that could fold inwards.

Jan 29, 2019 · Page details technical specifications, development, and operational history of the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin (Parasite Fighter) Prototype Jet-Powered Fighter / Bomber Escort including pictures.

Jul 31, 2022 · During WWII, McDonnell Aircraft created two XF-85 prototypes to protect the Northrop XB-35 and B-36 planes. Their idea was to launch this fighter jet when enemies attacked these planes. However, the XF-85 was slow compared to its competition, and pilots had difficulty landing the fighter jet back inside the bigger planes.

May 26, 2021 · America’s first jet-powered fighter, the Bell P-59 Airacomet, first took to the skies in 1942, and the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star followed suit in 1944. If the B-36 was going to secure...

Oct 9, 2020 · It was designed to be carried by a much larger aircraft, the massive Convair B-36 bomber and the proposed Northrop B-35 flying wing, as point-defence fighters.

Jun 13, 2024 · Summary and Key Points: The McDonnell XF-85 "Goblin" was a unique "parasite fighter" designed to be deployed from large bombers, like the B-36 Peacemaker, to defend against enemy aircraft. -This...

A fleet of about 100 future B-21 stealth bombers at an estimated total cost of at least $130 billion is also planned. The first B-21 aircraft are now in test flights. With evolving drone and space warfare likely to be the center of any fight with China, Dan Grazier, a military procurement analyst, questions whether “another exquisite manned fighter jet really is the right platform going ...

Apr 4, 2025 · As these initiatives unfold, they represent crucial steps toward reducing aviation's carbon footprint, aligning with Washington State's incentives like the $1- to $2-per-gallon tax credit for SAF production that substantially cuts carbon dioxide emissions compared to standard jet fuel. Source: Puget Sound Business Journal