The McDonnell Aircraft Corp. XF-85 Goblin, the smallest jet-propelled fighter ever built, was a “parasite” designed to be carried by a B-36 bomber
The McDonnell Aircraft Corp. XF-85 Goblin, the smallest jet-propelled fighter ever built, was a “parasite” designed to be carried by a B-36 bomber. If the host ship was attacked, the Goblin would be launched from the bomb bay to protect it. The Goblin was egg shaped and its wings — swept back 37 degrees — could fold upward. It had no landing gear and was launched from the bomber. It was then recovered using a hook and a retractable trapeze under the parent airplane. For emergencies, the Goblin had a steel skid under the fuselage and small runners on its wingtips. It was named the Goblin because company founder James McDonnell had previously decided to name the company’s jet fighters after supernatural creatures. The Goblin followed the Phantom and the Banshee. The tiny fighter was stable, easy to fly and recovered well from spins. However, hooking the Goblin in flight to its bomber’s trapeze was difficult. Its first fully released flight was on Aug. 23, 1948 at Muroc (now Edwards ...