(still frame from US Air Force film 17593 XF-85 Initial Flight)Ī special pit was dug into the tarmac at South Base for loading the XF-85 into the EB-29B. The XF-85 is only five feet wide with its wings folded. XF-85 46-0524 with its hook extended on the Edwards Air Force Base flight line.(Air Force Flight Test Center History Office). The pilot for all XF-85 Goblin flights was Ed Schoch. (McDonnell Corporation negative D4E 10112) It made six of the seven free flights flown by the Goblins. It was the first to fly on August 23, 1948. Goblin 46-0524 at the McDonnell plant in St. (NASA Dryden Fllight Research Center technical library) The Goblin's ventral speed brake is extended below the rear fuselage. Goblin 46-0524 was tested in the 40-foot by 80-foot wind tunnel at the Ames Research Center. (McDonnell Corporation negative D4E 5281) Republic assembled a mockup of the XF-85 Goblin and its trapeze.
XF 85 GOBLIN SERIAL
Due to the unavailability of a B-36 for the flight tests, they were conducted using an EB-29B, serial 44-84111, which was named Monstro, after the whale that swallowed Pinochio. The wings of the Goblin were designed toįold up alongside each side of the fuselage to fit into the Peacemaker. The constraints were that the fighter had to be only sixteen feet long, and only five feet wide when stowed. The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin program was intended to provide the B-36 Peacemaker with a fighter for self defence which could be carried entirely within the bomb bay of the bomber. The great size of the B-36 Peacemaker made it possible for the behemoth to carry, launch, and retrieve other airplanes.