Any possible ways to have the XF-85 Goblin enter production in a reconnaissance or jet fighter role?

[All Rounder]

The XF-85 "Goblin" was created by McDonnell Aircraft to be a parasitic aircraft utilized by modified Convair B-36 to defend it from enemy fighter jets. It was cancelled after numerous tests and seven total flights showed that docking the jet back into the bomber required near veteran skill to do so, with Edwin Schoch having to belly land it three times, being the only pilot to fly the jet. It's speed would have been 648 mph at the most, but the turbulence from being inside the bomber could have proven too great for the jet. Also it had only an armament of four M3 Browning machine guns with it, missiles or bombs could have been attached in later models but it wouldn't have occurred, since the USAF cancelled the project on October 24, 1949.

But what if it wasn't? What if the project wasn't cancelled and was removed from the parasitic fighter role and redesigned to be a reconnaissance or jet fighter? Could this have any effect on the USAF at all?

*Pulled from Wikipedia*

*Quoted from Wikipedia*

Specifications:
Crew: 1
Length: 14 ft 10 in (4.5 m)
Wingspan: 21 ft 1 in (6.4 m)
Height: 8 ft 3 in (2.5 m)
Wing area: 90 sq ft (8.3 m²)
Empty weight: 3,740 lb (1,700 kg)
Loaded weight: 4,550 lb (2,050 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 5,600 lb (2,500 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Westinghouse XJ34-WE-22 turbojet, 3,000 lbf (13.3 kN)

Performance:
Maximum speed: 650 mph (estimated) (565 knots; 1,069 km/h)
Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (14,600 m)
Rate of climb: 12,500 ft/min (3,800 m/min)
Wing loading: 51 lb/sq ft (247 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.66

 

[bsmart]

NO!!! It never accomplished a reattachment to the mother aircraft.

 

[Carl Schwamberger]

Someone must have been involved with the old trapeze rigs for airships like the Akron carrying fighter planes.

 

[All Rounder]

NO!!! It never accomplished a reattachment to the mother aircraft.

Doesn't have to be a parasitic fighter.

 

[Just Leo]

In what way could it have competed with the other parasite fighter, Republic's F-84F/RF-84F?

 

[Dalekiller]

Truth be told, it wasn't feasible for it was underperforming, it would probably be better to attach nuclear missiles on the wings and use them as anti air missiles(yes I watched FailSafe)

 

[All Rounder]

In what way could it have competed with the other parasite fighter, Republic's F-84F/RF-84F?

F-84F
Maximum speed: 695 mph (604 knots, 1,119 km/h, Mach .91) at sea level
Range: 810 miles (704 nmi, 1,304 km) combat radius with two droptanks
Service ceiling: 46,000 ft (14,000 m)
Rate of climb: 8,200 ft/min (42 m/s)
Wing loading: 86 lb/ft² (423 kg/m²)
Cost: 769,384 dollars


Goblin
Maximum speed: 650 mph (estimated) (565 knots; 1,069 km/h)
Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (14,600 m)
Rate of climb: 12,500 ft/min (3,800 m/min)
Wing loading: 51 lb/sq ft (247 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.66
Program cost: 3.1 million

The Goblin had a clear altitude advantage over the F-84F, but the F-84F had an armament and likely a speed advantage and was utilized as a photo reconnaissance plane in the form of the RF-84F as you mentioned above. IMO, if the .9 Mach quality was added to the Goblin as planned, it could compete with it as a better reconnaissance plane but could not defend itself as well as the Thunderflash unless missiles or bombs and better machine guns were added to it.

 

[Dilvish]

F-84F
Maximum speed: 695 mph (604 knots, 1,119 km/h, Mach .91) at sea level
Range: 810 miles (704 nmi, 1,304 km) combat radius with two droptanks
Service ceiling: 46,000 ft (14,000 m)
Rate of climb: 8,200 ft/min (42 m/s)
Wing loading: 86 lb/ft² (423 kg/m²)
Cost: 769,384 dollars


Goblin
Maximum speed: 650 mph (estimated) (565 knots; 1,069 km/h)
Service ceiling: 48,000 ft (14,600 m)
Rate of climb: 12,500 ft/min (3,800 m/min)
Wing loading: 51 lb/sq ft (247 kg/m²)
Thrust/weight: 0.66
Program cost: 3.1 million

The Goblin had a clear altitude advantage over the F-84F, but the F-84F had an armament and likely a speed advantage and was utilized as a photo reconnaissance plane in the form of the RF-84F as you mentioned above. IMO, if the .9 Mach quality was added to the Goblin as planned, it could compete with it as a better reconnaissance plane but could not defend itself as well as the Thunderflash unless missiles or bombs and better machine guns were added to it.

What was the XF-85's range? There doesn't appear to be much room for fuel. I don't see any way it would have the range to be a useful photo reconnaissance plane on its own. Where would the cameras go on the plane?

 

[All Rounder]

What was the XF-85's range? There doesn't appear to be much room for fuel. I don't see any way it would have the range to be a useful photo reconnaissance plane on its own. Where would the cameras go on the plane?

Wasn't made to be a reconnaissance plane, likely on the bottom of the wings and angled toward the bottom of the fuselage.

 

[Dalekiller]

I've always like the RF-84 better for it succeeded. The Goblin always felt like a niche idea meant for 20 years back. Hence my sense of horror when I saw it in The Big One book by Slade

 

[Dilvish]

I've always like the RF-84 better for it succeeded. The Goblin always felt like a niche idea meant for 20 years back. Hence my sense of horror when I saw it in The Big One book by Slade

Jet-powered fighters flying from airship carriers? That would be so cool. How it could work, or be feasible, I have no good idea.

 

[Just Leo]

Wasn't made to be a reconnaissance plane, likely on the bottom of the wings and angled toward the bottom of the fuselage.

I suppose one of these could be mounted under the wing right beside the non-existent undercarriage. Have you looked up the FICON project which replaced the Goblin?

 

[All Rounder]

View attachment 287639

I suppose one of these could be mounted under the wing right beside the non-existent undercarriage. Have you looked up the FICON project which replaced the Goblin?

Where the Goblin was replaced with the RF-84K Thunderflash?

 

[bsmart]

Doesn't have to be a parasitic fighter.

The XF-85 had no way of taking off or landing except as a parasitic aircraft. It had no landing gear and not enough fuel to fly a complete mission.

 

[Dalekiller]

The XF-85 had no way of taking off or landing except as a parasitic aircraft. It had no landing gear and not enough fuel to fly a complete mission.

It had skids! And that's all I have. In retrospect the XF-85 wasn't that brilliant of an idea

 

[bsmart]

It had skids! And that's all I have. In retrospect the XF-85 wasn't that brilliant of an idea

I believe the skids were only supposed to be on the test and training aircraft. The operational aircraft were supposed to have skids that were much lighter and only expected to be used in emergencies.

 

[BlondieBC]

Truth be told, it wasn't feasible for it was underperforming, it would probably be better to attach nuclear missiles on the wings and use them as anti air missiles(yes I watched FailSafe)

I love that movie. But wouldn't it actually work, even if a bit crude? Shoot a nuclear missile towards the fighters which are probably approaching from the front.

 

[Dalekiller]

I love that movie. But wouldn't it actually work, even if a bit crude? Shoot a nuclear missile towards the fighters which are probably approaching from the front.

Or a fuel air explosive on a timer, it's not really feasible, I know. However I was just bringing up a comparison

 

[marathag]

I love that movie. But wouldn't it actually work, even if a bit crude? Shoot a nuclear missile towards the fighters which are probably approaching from the front.

Pye Wacket, a 360 degree capable missile with 72 mile range for the XB-70

http://www.astronautix.com/p/pyewacket.html
Some versions were to have had a small atomic warhead.

 

[eltf177]

The XF-85 had no way of taking off or landing except as a parasitic aircraft. It had no landing gear and not enough fuel to fly a complete mission.

I don't see anywhere to install landing gear. And somehow I don't see it being a very forgiving aircraft if you made any mistakes on touchdown...