XF-85 Goblin: The Jet-Powered Parasite Fighter

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[owenlong]

I saw the Goblin at the USAF museum when I was around 10 years old and remember telling my dad I was so glad they finally started making planes kid's size after WWII. Thanks Simon for ruining my dreams of stuffing my own child into an experimental aircraft and dropping him from a high altitude bomber. "Difficulty reattaching." Such a cop out.

[bryangonzalez]

The second XF 85 and the one that made most of the flights and had the crash is on display at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace museum in Ashland Nebraska. Used to be an educator there and while I didn't get a chance to get inside the goblin, we used to explore the B36 it sits under (though never did get to go down the tunnel in the 36). Would love to see an episode on the B47 stratojet bomber!.

[Bearthedancingman]

I absolutely love the ugly little goblin.

I have here a completely useless what-if scenario but it's just fun to imagine.

Imagine a navy version of the XF-85.
*20% longer.
*replace Westinghouse J34-WE-22 (3, 000lb thrust) with J34-WE-17 which has an afterburner giving 3, 350lb thrust without afterburning and 4, 850lb thrust with afterburning.
*Increase fuel stores from 110 gallons to 250 gallons.
*Very short, compact landing gear.
*Aerial refueling boom in nose that can double as a tow-cable.
*equipped with two 20mm cannon instead of 4 MGs.
*Able to carry two Sidewinder missiles either on wingtips or on top of each wing.
*Able to carry two 500# bombs or two 70 gallon drop tanks.
*Empty weight 4, 800-5, 200#.
*Max takeoff weight 6, 500-7, 500#.
Max speed would probably be the same 650mph without afterburning and 750-780mph with afterburning.
Endurance would be ~ 2 hours, giving an operation radius of 600 miles.
Since the wings fold up and it's so small a carrier could carry a whole bunch of them.
Since the refueling boom is also able to tow the craft, longer range missions could utilize "air ferrys". With a refueling plane towing four or five fighters close to the edge of the combat zone before releasing them to complete their mission then collecting them afterwards and towing them back close to the carrier or airstrip for them to land. If there was more then five planes in the mission they could rotate turns on the tow-line. The rest flying behind in formation waiting their turn to refuel and rest while being towed.

Just a silly mind game but fun to consider.

[jonathanmatthews]

a 2:27 minute introduction advertisement!

That's almost a side project by itself! :)

[ignitionfrn]

4:05 - Chapter 1 - Evolution & history
5:35 - Chapter 2 - Enter the goblin
8:40 - Chapter 3 - Performance & weapons
9:50 - Chapter 4 - Takeoff & tethering
11:20 - Chapter 5 - Tests flights
15:10 - Chapter 6 - Further development

[draymanil]

The B-36 is worth a side projects or mega projects video. It’s a fascinating and massive aircraft

[Sdcreech]

I live outside Cincinnati Ohio which is roughly an hour or so from Dayton, I've been to Wright patt a few times and see the goblin, it looks even weirder in person. That museum would make for a good side project video though, lots of neat stuff on display there.

[michaelpipkin]

Please do the battle to see who would become the Next-gen fighter.

The YF-22 vs the YF-23.

[chefjrmz]

Do an episode on the A10 Thunderbolt
BBRRRT!

[Dvergenlied]

I love how any video about military machines ends up sounding like a bunch of chess moves or someone playing Battleship against themselves.

[kdrapertrucker]

Goblin was built in 1948, the U.S.A.A.F. ceased to exist in 1947 when the U.S.A.F. was created by an act of congress. So the goblin was not a WWII project, but a cold war project.

[ultra_gagayay]

Bro this is litterally a tiny eggplant looking aircraft that fit into a bomber. Litterally feels like a fever dream

[Srelde]

I'd love a video on Akron and Makon! They were so huge their hangars have their own internal weather systems

[danielwaterton]

Thank you sir for your content. Its helped me deal with my ptsd. Your special

[leoschenk]

Grew up right near WPAFB, love to hear dayton (pronounced D8n if anyone ever asks) in anything, really fascinating adorable little sideproject there.

[pmgn]

Nice job on the video selection. A nitpick or two at the end but the video editor got it right for a change.

[fps]

Simon makes things that are common knowledge fun and interesting. Thanks Simon. I bet Simon could make a story on pocket lint interesting.

[mbryson]

I can see him
his bald scalp shinin' in the sun
He's got his beard slicked back
and those Wayfarers on

[megaflux]

how exactly can a company "cut out the middle man" if they are selling oakleys and raybans YET they arent oakley or rayban?

[darrellmerino]

You only touch on the USS Akron and USS Macon. I suggest that a "flying aircraft carrier" is more than a "parasite fighter" and deserves an episode of its own.