Video Fix: Nuclear Bomber's Parasite Fighter

The Cold War's B-36 "Peacemaker" was the largest combat aircraft ever built, and the first plane to deliver thermonuclear weapons. But with a wingspan of 230 feet, some worried that the Peacemaker would be a sitting duck for enemy attacks. So the military designed a second, teeny-tiny plane that could be deployed, in case of attack. Officially, it was known as the XF-85 Goblin.

But it's gone down in aviation history as the "Flying Egg." Check out the video, and you'll see why.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=&rel=1&border=1

[It] flew for the first time on August 23, 1948. The small fighter showed good flying characteristics, was stable and easy to fly. During the initial two hours test flight it was however obvious that the turbulence around the bomber severely affected the Goblin. The turbulence made it even harder for pilots to dock the Goblin with the trapeze system created for the recovery. Because of its role as a parasite fighter, the XF-85 Goblin was not fitted with landing gear.

In the summer of 1949, the XF-85 Goblin parasite jet fighter program was canceled by the USAF. The reasons for the cancellation were quite sensible. First of all the recovery of the fighter was potentially dangerous both for the Goblin pilot as well as for the mothership bomber. Also, the Goblin was no match for interceptors of the day, slower and lightly armed it was no match for an enemy fighter. Developments in jet engine technology led to breakthroughs in fuel consumption, increasing range of escort jet fighters. The XF-85 Goblin was considered obsolete.

The good news is, "two prototypes were built, and both still survive," as Wikipedia notes. One is the National Museum of the United States Air Force, near Dayton, Ohio. The other is at the Strategic Air and Space Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.

(High five: Adam Stanhope)