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.

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.

Sep 16, 2024 · Designed primarily to defend the gigantic Convair B-36 and Northrop’s planed B-35 flying wing bomber, the XF-85 project began with two prototypes in 1947 built by McDonnell Aircraft. It was named...

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.

The purpose of the XF-85 Goblin was to defend nuclear-capable Convair B-36 "Peacemaker" bombers. As the first aircraft with the ability to travel with a nuclear weapon without needing to have special modifications, the B-36 was a tremendous feat and needed protection.

Aug 11, 2024 · One of the most amazing products of this period was the diminutive McDonnell XF-85 Goblin. To understand the genesis of this little jet-powered hot rod, let’s understand the …

Dec 3, 2021 · The XF-85 was intended to protect gigantic B-35 fly-wing and B-36 Peacemaker strategic bombers designed to fly thousands of miles carrying nuclear weapons in their capacious bomb bays.

Apr 3, 2025 · Since the fighter would be making only short local flights, fuel was no longer an issue. The resulting fighter aircraft was the XF-85 Goblin. It was built by McDonnell Aircraft. The 5,600 pound aircraft was 14 feet 10 inches long, 8 feet 4 inches tall, and had a wingspan of 21 feet. It was powered by a single Westinghouse J34 turbojet engine.

May 24, 2021 · The turbojet would push the XF-85 Goblin to a top speed of 650 miles per hour, with an operational ceiling of 48,000 feet. To hold its own in a fight, the parasite fighter was armed with four .50 caliber MR Browning machine guns.

Oct 24, 2016 · The intended aircraft XF-85 was a strangely shaped machine; a diminutive aircraft with an egg-shaped fuselage fitted with a forked-tail stabilizer design. The prototypes had already been built and went under testing by the end of 1948.