NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin aircraft were developed as a result of the success of long range bomber escort fighter aircraft.
When transcontinental range bombers were to be introduced, and before mid air refueling, the only way to have full time fighter escorts was for them to be carried by "mother ships."
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin aircraft were intended as escort fighters that would be carried and launched by bombers on long missions.
In March of 1947 the U.S.A.F. contracted with the manufacturer to produce two prototype aircraft of the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin aircraft, after flying their missions, were expected return to the host aircraft using a hook and trapeze.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin aircraft had skids instead of landing gear. These were to be used in case it couldn't be recovered by the host bomber and had to make a forced landing.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin aircraft had folding wings In order to fit in to the host aircraft.
McDonnell XF-85 Goblin aircraft were reported by test pilots as being easy to fly. A big problem, however, was that the tiny aircraft had alignment difficulties with the recovering aircraft's trapeze due to wake turbulence. Docking of the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin with the mother ship was virtually impossible.
The Air Force saw that even the best test pilots had a hard time flying the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin
back to the mother ship and reattach it to the trapeze. Therefore it would be almost impossible for other pilots to perform the operation with the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin.
The advancements of aircraft at that time also showed that the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin would soon not be able to perform to their standards in the areas of maneuverability and supersonic flight.
Standard fighters would soon be able to escort bombers on long missions using mid air refueling. Congress was also reducing the budgets of the armed services from war time funding levels.
The McDonnell XF-85 Goblin project was ended on October 24, 1949.
