Top Gun 2
- Thread starter Matej
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Meet the Lake Orion, EMU grad who flew F-18's in 'Top Gun: Maverick'
The new sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" set a box office record for Memorial Day weekend, marking the biggest box office debut in Tom Cruise's career.
www.wxyz.com
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While watching the film I was curious what happened to Maverick's character over the last 36 years.
From the movie I heard he spent 6 months as a Top Gun instructor, a tour in Bosnia (1992-1995), two tours in Iraq (1991, 2003-2011), and the hypersonic aircraft program (2020 (original movie scheduled release), 2022). That leaves nine years completely unaccounted for.
Maverick was an LT at Top Gun. (I think I heard in the movie that he got 'canned' for the first time likely due to his maverick behavior at Top Gun as an instructor). It usually takes four additional years to make Captain, which would have been around 1990. So possibly he was Captain Mitchell in the Gulf War (1991). After his two tours in Iraq he may have gone on to USN Test Pilot School or possibly USAF Test Pilot School as an exchange pilot.
Test pilot school would account for at least another year of his time in training. With the Navy's expense in training test pilots they would have sent him on to an assignment developing another aircraft project(s) after graduation. Certainly before being considered the prime pilot for a hypersonic program. A couple of large projects that were available during that time were F/A-18E,F (which would account for his remarkable employment of the aircraft in the movie having come most recently from the hypersonic aircraft tests) or F-35C. There is also a photo of an F-117A Stealth Fighter in the movie with what appears to be him standing next to the aircraft. The F-117A retired in 2008. Of course its been sighted more recently. The plaque has a USAF shield and banner that looks like the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, which he removes his sunglasses from. A small placard says Test Pilot Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.
There is the possibility that his character became an inactive Naval Reservist and went on to work for a contractor after the Navy's test pilot program. Maintaining fighter aircraft flying skills testing the Hornet or Lightening II.
Possibly, due to the classified nature of the hypersonic program the Navy may have recalled him back to service as the prototype aircraft was expected to become operational (similar to the Stealth Helicopter, i.e. prototype used for a mission).
Just some thoughts. Maybe the writers of Top Gun Maverick will explain why or how he retained his Captains rank.
From the movie I heard he spent 6 months as a Top Gun instructor, a tour in Bosnia (1992-1995), two tours in Iraq (1991, 2003-2011), and the hypersonic aircraft program (2020 (original movie scheduled release), 2022). That leaves nine years completely unaccounted for.
Maverick was an LT at Top Gun. (I think I heard in the movie that he got 'canned' for the first time likely due to his maverick behavior at Top Gun as an instructor). It usually takes four additional years to make Captain, which would have been around 1990. So possibly he was Captain Mitchell in the Gulf War (1991). After his two tours in Iraq he may have gone on to USN Test Pilot School or possibly USAF Test Pilot School as an exchange pilot.
Test pilot school would account for at least another year of his time in training. With the Navy's expense in training test pilots they would have sent him on to an assignment developing another aircraft project(s) after graduation. Certainly before being considered the prime pilot for a hypersonic program. A couple of large projects that were available during that time were F/A-18E,F (which would account for his remarkable employment of the aircraft in the movie having come most recently from the hypersonic aircraft tests) or F-35C. There is also a photo of an F-117A Stealth Fighter in the movie with what appears to be him standing next to the aircraft. The F-117A retired in 2008. Of course its been sighted more recently. The plaque has a USAF shield and banner that looks like the 412th Test Wing at Edwards AFB, which he removes his sunglasses from. A small placard says Test Pilot Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.
There is the possibility that his character became an inactive Naval Reservist and went on to work for a contractor after the Navy's test pilot program. Maintaining fighter aircraft flying skills testing the Hornet or Lightening II.
Possibly, due to the classified nature of the hypersonic program the Navy may have recalled him back to service as the prototype aircraft was expected to become operational (similar to the Stealth Helicopter, i.e. prototype used for a mission).
Just some thoughts. Maybe the writers of Top Gun Maverick will explain why or how he retained his Captains rank.
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Saw it this afternoon and enjoyed it. Next up, IMAX with the guys only. The movie theatre we saw it in was LOUD. Ears still ringing but did not notice this while the movie was running. Yep, could feel it - also Jurassic Park in the adjacent movie theatre!!
Darkstar is too small - should be double that size at the very least. Like the shape though and the Skunkworks logo was a nice touch.
Impressed with the CGI of the Su-57s and the Tomcat flying. FYI - the Tomcat was from the San Diego Air & Space Museum collection - they got credit there in the end and a "free" paint job for it. "Different than the you know what country was the bad guy" paint scheme in the movie.
Enjoy the Day! Mark
Darkstar is too small - should be double that size at the very least. Like the shape though and the Skunkworks logo was a nice touch.
Impressed with the CGI of the Su-57s and the Tomcat flying. FYI - the Tomcat was from the San Diego Air & Space Museum collection - they got credit there in the end and a "free" paint job for it. "Different than the you know what country was the bad guy" paint scheme in the movie.
Enjoy the Day! Mark
theponja
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Seems was not just the logo:
https://lockheedmartin.com/topgun
"Lockheed Martin conceptual designers, engineers and aircraft model developers work each day to bring aircraft concepts for today and tomorrow to life. These aircraft support critical global security missions and advance the future of aviation and technology.
We partnered with the Top Gun: Maverick film’s creative team to collaborate on bringing our expertise in hypersonic capabilities and aircraft design to the big screen."
Nice videos and wallpapers on the page.
I loved the movie, a great movie to see more than one time and always in the big screen.
Phenomenal! Buzzing Over 3 Super Hornets, A Private Jet Comes Stunningly Close To Landing On A US Aircraft Carrier
As the Top Gun: Maverick movie continues to ‘roar & soar’ at the box office, a footage has emerged offering a glimpse of how some of the breathtaking aerial stunts were shot in the action-packed film. Mission 2027 – Chinese Military Will Be ‘Ready For Action’ Against Taiwan & Allies In 5 Years...
eurasiantimes.com
More on the same, including revelations that 800hr of aerial footage are lingering somewhere!
Cabin view of the modified Phenom 300:
Cabin view of the modified Phenom 300:
'Top Gun: Maverick' F-18 dogfighting action scenes filmed by an Embraer business jet
A customized private jet helped "set the standard for aerial cinematography," said Kevin "K2" LaRosa II, aerial coordinator and lead camera pilot.
eu.floridatoday.com
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First thought, when I saw this picture just after waking up:
Playing like a professional the game battleships on the Carreidas 160.
Playing like a professional the game battleships on the Carreidas 160.
Aubi
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Just saw it. Great remake of Iron Eagle 2!
@publiusr : Yes the F-14 dogfight is truly amazing. Not as good as what was given to us in the first movie (not real) but still.
Went a second time and the aerial sequences are truly amazing. I was trying to guess which one was shot from the Phenom and I hardly guessed. When there is flying sequences, the tempo is much too quick, to say the least.
I guess that they have tweaked some of the shots to give a more dramatic angle (ex: the pull-out sequence at the end of the bombing run where the camera follow the Super Hornet up a climbing valley, so low that snow is lifted).
Went a second time and the aerial sequences are truly amazing. I was trying to guess which one was shot from the Phenom and I hardly guessed. When there is flying sequences, the tempo is much too quick, to say the least.
I guess that they have tweaked some of the shots to give a more dramatic angle (ex: the pull-out sequence at the end of the bombing run where the camera follow the Super Hornet up a climbing valley, so low that snow is lifted).
Was a bit surprised to hear Rooster express surprise the wings were moving.......
Yeah the mission should have been done with TLAMs, they can do it in terrain following mode without GPS, but then we wouldn't have had a great movie.
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Saw it on IMAX and totally worth the huge expense.
Last week I read, but cannot find, a very good little article on the similarities that Top Gun Maverick shares with many previous movies. Obviously including Star Wars but also several hints back to the original. I hadn't realised that quiet Bob is played by the son of Bill Pullman, who played an F-18 pilot and US President in Independence Day!
Last week I read, but cannot find, a very good little article on the similarities that Top Gun Maverick shares with many previous movies. Obviously including Star Wars but also several hints back to the original. I hadn't realised that quiet Bob is played by the son of Bill Pullman, who played an F-18 pilot and US President in Independence Day!
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Saw it today and thoroughly enjoyed it. First 10 mins very The Right Stuff. Impressed by the Tomcat and Felon footage. I might even take the velociraptor to see it.
Worth the wait and annoyed I missed the IMAX screenings.
Chris
Worth the wait and annoyed I missed the IMAX screenings.
Chris
pathology_doc
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Just remember, everyone, that the reason this movie exists is for a couple of hours of entertainment where disbelief should be suspended and nits should not be picked. Were you sufficiently entertained? If so, let it be.
It's always controversial to speak about money when Internet, generally, thinks that everything should come for free, but let's rejoice that Hollywood Majors now can't ignore the fact that Aviation is very, very profitable.
variety.com
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Soars Past $1 Billion, Overtakes ‘Doctor Strange 2’ as the Highest-Grossing Movie of the Year Globally
Paramount and Skydance’s all-American blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick” is still flying high at the box office, crossing the coveted $1 billion milestone over the weekend. It’…
variety.com
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Ha! It's on at the IMAX tonight. I've booked. I'll get a proper look at the Felons.
Chris
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Will wait until Top Gun 2 gets released onto Blue-Ray, I cannot remember the last time I ever went to see a movie at the cinema.
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Cannonfodder43
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A bit annoyed that they have it back in IMAX for limited viewings at one of the nearby theatres. Cause two weeks ago my little brother decided to watch it again and dragged my older brother and the parents along to a standard showing since Jurassic World Dominion was taking up the IMAX slots for the time.
It wasn't bad but it's just not the same as IMAX.
It wasn't bad but it's just not the same as IMAX.
Do you fear getting 60?... Yet another day for Tom:
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/chrismcquarrie/status/1543571296604364801/photo/1
View: https://mobile.twitter.com/chrismcquarrie/status/1543571296604364801/photo/1
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just saw Top Gun 2..
came out later here in Japan than in the US
I appreciate that they had a lot of connections with the first movie, but didnt try to bring everything back.
I think the decision to make Penny the main love interest instead of bringing back Charlie, probably would have been more acceptable for audiences.. as Tom aged much better than Kelley.
I re-watched Top Gun 1 before watching this. I used to think Iceman was an arse when I first watched TG1 as a kid.. but actually he was right on a lot of things when you think about it. He wasnt that bad.
Was really glad to see Iceman/Val Kilmer on the big screen again.
Hangman is basically Iceman 2.0
A lot of the movie gave me Ace Combat vibes. The mission seemed straight out of the many Ace Combat games where you needed to fly low, navigate through canyons, then at the end, take out some land target and escape. Even the design of the hypersonic aircraft seemed like one of the Ace Combat aircraft. I also thought of the Israel-Osirak strike as well
Obviously the unnamed enemy airforce seemed like half Iran half Russia.
I thought a lot of the film was very realistic. But when it got to that scene where Maverick got shot down, survived an Mi-24, then proposed to steal a plane.. That part was just pure Hollywood and unrealistic.
But then when he suggested stealing the F-14.. all that nostalgia came rushing back and I'm glad they did it
to be frank, the F-18 just doesn't look as "cool", and they basically wrote out the F-35. Didn't buy the reason why they couldnt use it.
So seeing the F-14 again was nice.
I was actually thinking throughout that last part..
what if in real life.. some one really did steal an Iranian F-14 and tried to land it on a carrier.
how would everyone react on deck. Could the modern ship still catch and launch an F-14?
Did the Iranians do away with the tailhook? etc
I was also thinking about that scene where the Su-57 dodged the missile, how realistic was that manouver?
also the hand signs made between the Tom and the enemy pilots, were they based on anything?
came out later here in Japan than in the US
I appreciate that they had a lot of connections with the first movie, but didnt try to bring everything back.
I think the decision to make Penny the main love interest instead of bringing back Charlie, probably would have been more acceptable for audiences.. as Tom aged much better than Kelley.
I re-watched Top Gun 1 before watching this. I used to think Iceman was an arse when I first watched TG1 as a kid.. but actually he was right on a lot of things when you think about it. He wasnt that bad.
Was really glad to see Iceman/Val Kilmer on the big screen again.
Hangman is basically Iceman 2.0
A lot of the movie gave me Ace Combat vibes. The mission seemed straight out of the many Ace Combat games where you needed to fly low, navigate through canyons, then at the end, take out some land target and escape. Even the design of the hypersonic aircraft seemed like one of the Ace Combat aircraft. I also thought of the Israel-Osirak strike as well
Obviously the unnamed enemy airforce seemed like half Iran half Russia.
I thought a lot of the film was very realistic. But when it got to that scene where Maverick got shot down, survived an Mi-24, then proposed to steal a plane.. That part was just pure Hollywood and unrealistic.
But then when he suggested stealing the F-14.. all that nostalgia came rushing back and I'm glad they did it
to be frank, the F-18 just doesn't look as "cool", and they basically wrote out the F-35. Didn't buy the reason why they couldnt use it.
So seeing the F-14 again was nice.
I was actually thinking throughout that last part..
what if in real life.. some one really did steal an Iranian F-14 and tried to land it on a carrier.
how would everyone react on deck. Could the modern ship still catch and launch an F-14?
Did the Iranians do away with the tailhook? etc
I was also thinking about that scene where the Su-57 dodged the missile, how realistic was that manouver?
also the hand signs made between the Tom and the enemy pilots, were they based on anything?
@helmutkohl : The manoeuvre is part of many Su-57 display in Russia. It's even more spectacular when the Su-35 does it.
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TopGun booms French air Corps recruitment:
Even Mr Macron got hooked and had to fly the Alpha jet!
www.lepoint.fr
Even Mr Macron got hooked and had to fly the Alpha jet!
Comment l’armée profite du phénomène « Top Gun : Maverick »
La suite de « Top Gun » survole les 5 millions d’entrées. Marine nationale et armée de l’air déploient leurs forces marketing pour séduire de jeunes recrues.
www.lepoint.fr
Also: Someone like "Maverick" seems unlikely to stick with one person for thirty years. Equally unlikely, someone sticking with *him* for thirty years. Even with marriage and kids thrown in, he seems like the sort of character who would be far too into his career and being Mr. Adventure to settle down.
Hmmm, don't remember any RAAF Tornadoes...
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