Tom Cruise is a Hollywood superstar known for his action-packed roles and his love for performing his own stunts. One of the most iconic scenes in his career is the opening sequence of the movie Top Gun, where he is seen piloting a fighter jet. The jet, a F-14 Tomcat, is a symbol of the movie and is now synonymous with Tom Cruise’s name.
The Movie Top Gun
Top Gun is a 1986 American action drama film directed by Tony Scott and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. The movie follows the story of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise), a young naval aviator who is sent to the Navy’s elite fighter weapons school, also known as “Top Gun”.
The movie features a number of iconic scenes but the most famous one is where Tom Cruise’s character is seen piloting a F-14 Tomcat fighter jet. The scene is set to the song “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins and has become a pop culture phenomenon.
The F-14 Tomcat
The F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable-sweep wing fighter aircraft. It was developed for the United States Navy’s Naval Fighter Experimental (VFX) program following the collapse of the F-111B project. The F-14 is capable of speeds of over Mach 2 and has served as the Navy’s primary air superiority fighter, fleet defense interceptor, and tactical aerial reconnaissance platform.
The F-14 Tomcat is known for its distinctive “swing wing” design, which allows the aircraft to operate from both aircraft carriers and land-based airfields. It was in service with the US Navy from 1974 until 2006 and was used extensively in combat during the Gulf War and the Iraq War.
Tom Cruise’s Training
Tom Cruise is known for performing his own stunts in his movies, and the flying scenes in Top Gun were no exception. In order to prepare for his role as a fighter pilot, Tom Cruise underwent extensive training with the US Navy at their Top Gun school in Miramar, California.
During his training, Tom Cruise flew in the backseat of an F-14 and was able to experience firsthand what it is like to fly a fighter jet. He also learned how to perform various maneuvers, including the barrel roll and the vertical climb.
The Top Gun Sequel
After more than 30 years since the original movie, a sequel to Top Gun, titled Top Gun: Maverick, is set to be released in 2022. Tom Cruise is reprising his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and the movie is set to feature a new generation of fighter pilots.
The new movie will see Maverick as a flight instructor at the Navy’s Top Gun school, where he will mentor a new generation of pilots, including the son of his former best friend and wingman, Goose. The movie promises to feature some of the most advanced fighter jets in the world, including the F-35 Lightning II and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Conclusion
Tom Cruise’s role in Top Gun and his love for flying has made the F-14 Tomcat a symbol of his career. The movie’s opening scene, featuring Tom Cruise piloting a fighter jet, has become one of the most iconic scenes in Hollywood history. The F-14 Tomcat is a legendary aircraft that has served the US Navy with distinction for over three decades, and its legacy lives on in the movie Top Gun. With the release of Top Gun: Maverick, fans of the original movie are eagerly awaiting to see what new thrills and excitement Tom Cruise will bring to the screen.
