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McDonnell built two Goblin prototypes (USAF Serial no. #46-523 and #46-524). During wind tunnel testing at Moffett Field, California, the first prototype XF-85 was damaged. Consequently, the second aircraft was used for the initial flight trials; its first flight was on 23 August 1948. As a prototype B-36 was unavailable, all XF-85 flight tests were carried out using a converted Boeing EB-29 Superfortress parent ship. On the first flight, after a little over two hours it became obvious that turbulence around the bomber created difficult control problems. In flight, the tiny fighter was stable, easy to fly and recovered well from spins.[2] However, many pilots found it difficult to hook the Goblin to its bomber's trapeze.

Termination of the XF-85 program in mid-1949 was the result of a number of factors:

Docking with the bomber "host" proved much more difficult than thought; even experienced test pilots had trouble. (On the other hand, Chuck Yeager stated that the XF-85 test pilot was particularly incapable of formation flying.)
The XF-85 was no match for the conventional enemy fighters it would have to engage to defend the bombers - it was slower and much more lightly armed.
The increasing range of jet escort fighters (along with the advent of in-flight refuelling) allowed them to accompany bombers on their full missions.
Tight budgets meant that less important programs such as the XF-85 were canceled.