During the Cold War, McDonnell's aircraft such as the "Banshee" and "Demon" earned mixed reputations, with the latter being less favorably remembered. However, one of the aviation firm's more audacious projects was the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin. Designed as a "parasite fighter," the XF-85 was a small jet intended to be carried by bombers, notably the Convair B-36 Peacemaker. This aircraft could be launched during missions to defend bombers from enemy fighters, a concept that initially seemed promising due to the challenges of providing fighter escorts for long-range bombing runs.
Despite its innovative idea, the XF-85 faced significant technical challenges during its testing phase. The Goblin's design as a bomber-support fighter faced issues, particularly with turbulent air making it hazardous to launch and recover from the bomber. These complications were exacerbated by the limited flight capability of the Goblin, rendering it impractical as a reliable bomber defender. With only two prototypes built, the program concluded with the preference towards aerial refueling as a more viable method for extending the range of fighter escorts, leaving the XF-85 as a fascinating but ultimately unsuccessful experiment.
Visit the original article for more detailed information on this unique chapter in Cold War aviation history: McDonnell XF-85 Goblin — The Air Force’s Parasite - The Armory Life
```
No comments:
Post a Comment