Ask any pilot about Tony Scott's 1986 film, which starred Tom Cruise as high flying Navy pilot Maverick, and they'll probably say that it had a profound effect on their interest in aviation. Or at the very least that the film's theme song, Kenny Loggins's Danger Zone, is an absolute banger. With it's sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, in theatres right now, it's the perfect time for some Top Gun Trivia!
TOP GUN: MAVERICK
Benjamin Franklin once wrote: "nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes." If Ben had lived another couple centuries he probably would have added: "Oh, and pilots love Top Gun."
Top Gun Facts Highest grossing movie of 1986. The original film featured F-14 jets from the VF-51 "Screaming Eagles" squadron. Reports estimate that Paramount Studios paid as much as $7,800 per hour (about $20k in 2022) for fuel and operating costs. It's unclear whether or not this is part of the $1.8 million the Pentagon charged Paramount for usage. The movie itself was quite the recruitment ad. Renting out planes to a movie studio might be risky, but it was worth it for the Navy. In the year after Top Gun's release, US Navy enlistment rates went up and applications to flight school shot up an astounding 500%. It probably didn't hurt that the Navy set up recruitment booths outside of theatres. Val Kilmer didn't want to be in the film, but was forced to by contractual obligations. Now it's one of his most iconic roles. The amazing airborne shots were made possible by special camera mounts attached to the planes. Paramount wanted the best, so they went straight to Grumman, who made the F-14s in the first place. Kelly McGillis stands at 5'10, which was a problem for the shorter Tom Cruise, who stands at 5'7. For their scenes together, Cruise's shoes were fitted with lifts. While 5'7 may not be ideal for shooting romance, it's the ideal height for fighter pilots. Tim Robbins, at 6'5, wouldn't have been able to fit in the F-14's cockpit. Anthony Edwards is the only actor who didn't lose his lunch after a ride in the F-14s. Being a fan of this movie could be expensive if you work for the real Top Gun School, where quoting the movie will earn you a $5 fine.
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