Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: What type of aircraft is this?

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Posted by Paul G. Thompson (Member # 655) on 08-27-2002, 01:31 PM:

I don't know what it is, where it came from, who made it, or if it as just a fake. But it almost looks like it would fly.

Looks like a high-tech skateboard to me.

For the aviation enthusiasts, here are some more: http://www.aviationpics.de/mystery/page_01.htm

Posted by Jason Burroughs (Member # 68) on 08-27-2002, 02:06 PM:

Looks like any early jet X- plane.

Posted by Dick Prather (Member # 1136) on 08-27-2002, 02:43 PM:

Paul,
I think I saw that on "Discovery Wings" cable chanel. I believe it was nicknamed the "Goblin" and was designed to hook up in flight with a mother aircraft such as a bomber. The dark part in front of the cockpit is were the hook is. I think the program was expermental aircraft. This one was not a success.
Dick

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 08-27-2002, 04:51 PM:

McDonnell XF-85 "Goblin"

Posted by Jeffry L. Johnson (Member # 453) on 08-27-2002, 07:48 PM:

6524 is at the
Strategic Air Command Museum in Nebraska.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 08-27-2002, 08:30 PM:

There is one in Dayton, also. There were only 2 ever built. The one pictured was the second one (but the first to fly).

It was originally supposed to protect the mighty B-36. This from the Air Force Museum web page:

"Another EB-29 was used carry the XF-85 and test the parasite fighter concept. The XF-85 "Goblin" 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."

I believe they display it under the B-36 which sits INSIDE the Air Force Museum in Dayton (they built the building around its 230' wing span...they are soon going to take out the walls to move it to yet another building).

The B-36 is my all-time favorite airplane. What a beautiful rumbling beast. It is shown in all of its VistaVision glory in the film STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND.

Here (from the USAF Museum web page) are the specs:

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 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.

Posted by Jim Ziegler (Member # 86) on 08-28-2002, 01:03 PM:

The SAC museum is very impressive, especailyl the hanger where a B-36 and a B-52 sit practically side by side.