THE XF-85

e [Music] [Applause] World War II saw the emergence of the United States Air Force as a potent weapon of Destruction an aerial arm that could range far over enemy territory to smash home pulverizing [Music] assault the war also lefted a tactical problem that of developing fighter aircraft for the protection of its new super bombers aerial giant with several times the range of World War II planes this problem was shared with the McDonald aircraft Corporation of St Louis Missouri after months of joint research planning designing and often redesigning the result was the xf85 parasite fighter this Tom Thum jet fighter can be carried completely in close closed in the belly of a giant v36 bomber for this reason its stby unusual configuration must be compacted into an overall length of 15 ft upon release the parasite must at least equal the speed maneuverability and Firepower of the land-based fighter but let's go downstairs for a closer look first we note its efficient single Westinghouse j34 jet engine forming an axis around which the plane is literally wrapped for maximum compactness of [Music] design despite severe space limitations sufficient Armament is provided to give the tiny plane a Firepower approaching that of large conventional [Music] Fighters a tail structure with an unconventional X configuration has been tentatively installed to avoid the necessity of folding the tail before enclosure in the parent Flame in this experimental plane flight test instruments occupy the space intended for gun sights and electronic equipment pressurizing essential for extremely high altitude operations is assured by the canopy design which seals the cockpit besides providing excellent visibility the sky hook which engages the trapeze mechanism in the mother plane is the parasite's sole means of affecting a [Music] landing for emergency use separate pneumatic actuation is provided in a in addition to the normal electrical actuator the stubby folding Wings measuring only 21 ft from tip to tip are sharply swept back for compactness and high speed potential this action adapts the plane for complete enclosure in a b36 bom B the cockpit contains an astonishing variety of equipment designed for safety and convenience an ample supply of oxygen to prevent anoxia at high altitudes and a built-in ejector for catapulting the pilot clear in a high-speed emergency the xf85 is automatic fuel system operates without the use of a tank selector switch fuel is First Fed into the main fuselage tank below the pilot from the more vulnerable Wing tanks so that these will be complet Ely exhausted and purged before the plane reaches its critical zone of operations preparations are made for a trial launching and retrieving of the xf85 from a modified b29 not intended for tactical use with this bommer the parasite uses it for flight test purposes at mck Air Force Base in California because of the underslung fuselage of the parent plane a specially built pit is required to facilitate loading and functional checks first the parasite is carefully lowered into position there its sky hook is engaged and the stabilizing Yol lowered into place the tiny fighter is then retracted to its snug position beneath the bomber and pre-flight ground preparations are completed the fighter carries no conventional landing gear being equipped only with skids for test purposes [Music] [Music] as the parent bummer takes off the xf85 appears as a slight bulge below the fuselage with the modifi b29 Airborne the pilot stabilizes flight at the altitude and speed required and final preparations are completed for the launching the pilot of the parasite is in constant radio contact with the trapes operator and the mother plane pilot now he orders the trapeze to the extended [Music] position we start the westing house jet engine then checks his instruments and places his Flaps in proper takeoff position next he orders the tries operated to raise the nose stabilizing structure the throttle is Advanced until no drag is being created on the arresting bar finally the pilot releases the Skyhook the xf85 parasite drops clear and is in Free Flight the hook is then retracted into its flush position the pilot must have constant knowledge of the mother plane's location this is done by special electronic equipment showing the pilot at all times the most direct route to his flying traes in actual operations the fighter can return periodically to the mother plane for replenishment of fuel and ammunition making possible several missions over hostile territory be careful little friend these are your very first trials and it will take a little experience to learn this new technique the retrieving operation itself is in effect a reversal of the launching procedure first the pilot brings the xf85 up slowly from below and feels gingerly for the arresting bar with his Skyhook the trapeze mechanism includes a shock absorbing device to push any impact of the Skyhook on the arresting bar after contact the nose stabilizing structure is lowered the engine shut off and the plane retracted used tactically in L bomber additional step of folding and unfolding its wings for retrieving and launching is required since the parasite is designed for hanging within a bomb bay of the Air Force giant b36 if it can be said that this answers the problem of bomber protection McDonnell is more than satisfied its future is speculative for this is but the first step in solving the problems connected with refueling rearming and remaning protecting fighters in Flight the invaluable data being gathered in development of the world's first parasite jet fighter will make it possible for McDonald to be of even greater service in the future in carrying forward developments made possible by the advanced thinking of the United States Air Force [Music]