Colonel Clarence "Bud" Anderson celebrated his 100th birthday today. He remains one of the United States Air Force's most celebrated pilots and is perhaps most well known for his prowess over Europe during WWII, where he is credited with downing 16+ enemy aircraft while flying P-51 Mustangs with the legendary 357th Fighter Group. He flew 116 combat missions with this unit - all without taking any damage to his aircraft or the need to return due to mechanical issues, a remarkable feat which demonstrates both his skill as a fighter pilot and an intimate understanding for his aircraft and its systems.
A Defender or Parasite? The Strange XF-85 Goblin Was a Bit of Both
To top off the Goblin’s disreputable looks, it lacked landing gear, and had to make do with a retractable steel skid for emergencies.
Here s What You Need to Remember: As for the Goblins, the parasite jets went on to enjoy a quiet retirement and can be seen at the U.S. Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio and the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Nebraska.
Its manufacturer called it the “Goblin” and by looks alone, the egg-shaped jet certainly deserved the name. The McDonnell XF-85 jet resembled little more than a pressurized cockpit on top of a bulbous J34 turbojet engine, with small stubby swept-back wings that could fold inwards. Rounding out its ghastly appearance were an unusual three tail stabilizers, three shark-like belly-mounted fins, and a giant extendable hook rising from the open snout of its jet intake.