Ordered 1942 as a parasite escort for the B-29, this freakish aircraft was only 14 feet 10 inches long, armament of four .5 in. Browning machine guns was planned. As development proceeded the carrier aircraft was changed to the massive Convair B-36. The XF-85 was designed to be tucked into the bomber's bomb bay, in effect each carrier aircaft would carry it's own fighter escort, up to four each. When enemy interceptors were sighted the Goblins were supposed to detach from the B-36's, drive off the attackers and then to hook back onto the carrier aircraft. On August 23rd, 1948 a brave pilot detached the prototype XF-85 from a B-29 test aircraft. Turbulent air beneath the B-29 made hooking back on a nerve-wracking and dangerous chore, several attempts were made. Near disaster struck as the Goblin suddenly pitched up, smashing the canopy on the hook and tearing the pilot's oxygen mask off. He stuffed the remnants of the oxygen hose into his mouth and made a 200 mph emergency landing on a retractable belly skid. The wheeled gear shown in the picture above was for handling it on the ground! This project was cancelled in 1949, but the prototype Goblin can still be seen today at the Strategic Air Command Museum.