It's now official.


Something tells me though that this sequel won't have anywhere near the pop culture influence that the original has.

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick-photo-1202826439/

I agree about the influence. But I cannot wait to see what they do with it. I read they were trying to do a flashback with Goose. I would love that.

If they want to use Anthony Edwards they will have to use some major CGI de-ageing effects for that flashback.

Not necessarily, there is always footage on the cutting room floor that didn't work for the original that might work for the sequel?


Wheels

The same goes with Kelly McGillis!

Wasn't there a conversation about this sometime last year? I'm surprised they only started filming now! I hope it'll be good!!

The movie went through a lot of delays of which the major one was the death of Tony Scott. He was the original director and producer.

I guess you mean this one:
http://SimHQ.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4359547/tom-cruise-confirms-top-gun-2#Post4359547

Also:
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1745960/videoplayer/vi2149038105?ref_=tt_pv_vi_aiv_1



Is that an F-18 (Super Hornet?). Hmmm, interesting and kinda makes sense since it replaced the F-14 Tomcat!

Maverick is only a Navy captain now? He's over 50 and with his talent he should at least be a Rear Admiral by now.

Man, I love that pic! That helmet is like seeing an old friend again

Maybe they can fly in Iran where I think they still use Tomcats? While I'm okay with the Hornet, nothing really replaces my first love...

Not gonna lie, seeing that shot with the Super Hornet in the background does make me a bit more interested I'm still hoping the rumored story line involving drones is a rumor though. In my "perfect world" I'd love to see the production hire a group like Draken International to stand in as the "bad guys" for the movie since that company now has a decent sized fleet of dissimilar jets including MiG-21s. Here's hoping it just doesn't turn out to be a huge CGI fest....

I saw an article talking about why they are using Super Hornets instead of F-35s, and I can see just not having Navy F-35s available and not wanting to use them for a movie (don't want any cockpit shots in the film), but it also sounded like maybe Boeing "negotiated"* them into using Super Hornets.


*i.e., offered dumpster-loads of money, or the use of aircraft for cheap, or something similar, I assume

I'm SO IN! Saw the original in the theater and it was AWESOME.
I even hope they get Kenny Loggins to do the soundtrack. Or just reuse the original, I don't care.
I want some cameos from the original. Make Ice Man the admiral who will fly with Mav anytime, but still busts his chops for not fulfilling his potential because he's DANGEROUS. LOL

My guess: Goose's kid will be coming through Top Gun where Mav is training and has a grudge against him for living while Goose died.

The F-18 has a 2 seater variant, right? That alone might be the reason for it. Gotta have someone to take the Polaroids and freak out...or maybe run the Go Pro these days.
Probably easier production-wise too. Not to mention they're a lot cooler looking than the F-35.

Yeah! Re-use the original music, give us cool new airplane shots, and we wouldn't care!


I'm not so sure I'd want that in the movie itself, but put that in a bonus scene on the DVD and it will be gold!!
Maybe make Mav do the rubber-dog-#%&*$#-out-of-Hong-Kong line on a young, reckless pilot too!



Or for throwing away Goose's dog tags instead of giving it to the family. Seriously? Too much emo there, Maverick!!



This!! I don't like the Hornet that much compared to the Tomcat but I'd rather the Hornet than the F-35 any day!

Couldn't be worse than the original!

Well, I don't or resuming I completely and totally disagree with the above!

The F-35C (the version used by the US Navy) looks cooler than the Super Hornet, but this again is obviously my opinion and "beauty is on the eye of the beholder".

Besides the F-35C is better in every sense compared to the Super Hornet.

P.S - This is a long time Hornet fan speaking...

LOL, just hope that pilots don't need to get at a very close range and from the enemy's 6'o clock in order to shoot a missile and down an enemy

And I'm sure the F-18 is better in every sense compared to the Tomcat, but yeah, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

I don't have much faith in Hollywood and their remakes these days. They ought to hire you guys to write the sequel because this stuff I would pay to see.

I'm completely indifferent to this movie. Like most remakes and reboots (especially from the 80's), I might become curious about it if the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. Otherwise, it'll likely be just another new movie I'll never see.

My first impression is to leave Top Gun in the 80's where it belongs. Like hair bands and power ballads, enjoy the nostalgia (if you have any) but don't try to bring it back, it won't work today.

Just to be clear, this movie is a sequel.

Ah, ok then.

I wonder if it'll have terminator missiles that never give up until you're dead!...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P37ONmUq7aY

Real MiGs plz.

Probably just like Colonel John Boyd, gifted pilot but pissed off a lot of higher ups with his antics concerning aircraft theories.

I don't care what anyone says, I love that friggin movie. LOL

I had more fun watching reviews and analysis videos of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi than I did actually watching those movies. Black Panther was good but slightly meh. I think I enjoyed movies like Coco or Your Name (anime) or even Jumanji, but that last one was more of imagining a self-obsessed teenage girl inside Jack Black's body.

I hope they don't mess this sequel, but with cool jets, they'd have to work really hard to mess it up. Then again, never underestimate Hollywood.

Heck yeah, it's in my collection!

I don't know if it's because I was older, but that scene messed up the movie for me. I was like O RLY?? Come on!!

Awesome ejection sequence though, but they still had to Hollywood it by requiring both pilots to pull the handle and then having them collide mid-air? O RLY?? Come on!!

But at least we've moved on from Iron Eagle and Blue Thunder...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAQEZHo68oQ

Blue Thunder was pretty good though...FNG, follow my leader. If they only knew they were dealing with Wittle Awix.

Blue Thunder has its moments, one of which was apparently missed by the YouTube censors (since I have no account, was surprised to see yoga chick clip).

Don’t forget the timed Trans Am slolam in a 4000lb TA.
Blue Thunder was so cool...until Airwolf.

4000 lbs lol.

Don't confuse gross weight with vehicle weight. GVW is car with all occupants, at around 175lbs per person. GWV is on the door sticker

My 1970 Buick convertible (GS455 clone) weighs about 3800 lbs. Before the aluminum engine parts it was around 3890 lbs. That car is a full heavy duty frame convertible. The Buick 455s were quite light compared to other so-called "big blocks" from GM. My engine weighs about what a Chevy 350 with all iron parts weighs. I have picked up the engine block by myself to put it on a work bench. That Buick is a full frame car, an A-body just like a Chevelle, 442 or GTO.

The Trans Am on the other hand is a sub-frame car. A 1978 Trans Am as an example of that generation weighs about 3620 lbs. depending on options. Lightly optioned, 3550 or so. You can get one down around 3400lbs if you want, aluminum intake alone saves almost 45 pounds, tubular headers another 40, aluminum heads 80 easy.

Well, my ‘78 Firebird *felt* like 5000 lbs, so I thought I was being generous. LOL
It had a transplanted 455 from a 70-something GTO, definitely fun!

The film's director, Joe Kosinski, noted how different the Navy is today, so he will have to "adapt" with the sequel.

"Back then, they hadn't been in any war for 15 or 20 years at that point," he said. "The tone of that movie and what those guys were doing was very different. Now, here in 2017, the Navy's been at war for 20 years. It's just a different world now, so you can't remake the first movie."

Kosinski added, "That being said, I certainly want to recreate the experience of that movie, which gives you a front-seat into the world of Naval aviation and what it's like to be in a fighter jet. The approach is going to be appropriate for the times we live in."

From here:
https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/...-then-now-88978/photos/tom-cruise-131647

Kosinski is absolutely correct.

The original movie was set in and also was released during the Cold War so that set the overall tone. It was absolutely the right choice to make a sequel instead of just remaking the original.

Anyone remember that "Red Dawn" remake that flopped?

Blue Thunder has its good moments and of course Malcolm McDowell ALWAYS makes a compelling villain but the movie suffers from what I call "80's itis". By that I mean the movie is full of that typical 70's and 80's campy acting and clunky dialogue.

Oh damn, just when I was hoping to watch Mig-69s...

Or would it be Mig-68s?? Well, +1 and it spins

Yeah, good point

Only once?

I saw it in the theater at least three times.

That's because the world's raised a 'buncha pussies, and some 80's stuff will put hair on their chests and make a man outta 'em.

I agree to an extent with Mark. I wish they would just leave it alone, there is something cool about having it frozen in the 80s. The best part about the movie was the Tomcat, and the community about naval aviation, not the hot music, not the pretty boys, but about that awe that the F-14 inspired and the difficulties and stress of naval aviation and air combat. Can they recreate that? Probably not. Maybe they can get close. That is the part that does intrigue me....seeing what they can do. I'm just afraid that it will become "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." You are obligated to accept it since it is canon in the Indiana Jones series, but it is a black mark on the stellar history.

Now the geek in me speaks: I do notice also that Maverick is still using an HGU-33/P, which was standard in the 80s and early 90s, but if he was in the Super Bug now, he should have the new helmet with the HMCS. He also has no survival vest on, just the g-suit, MA-2, and LPU-32. Not even the older SV-2B. He should be higher an Admiral by now, but given his maverick attitude, he probably got busted for something and that affected his promotion, haha.Or he refused promotion so that he can keep on flying regularly?

v6,
boNes

Yeah, like the volleyball scene, hahaha!

BTW, Harold Faltermeyer has been brought back to the the musical score.

v6,
boNes

Faltermeyer is timeless.

I am now very worried. The two writers don't have much beneath their belts, and what they do have are adaptations or mostly crap. Oh, and the oldest of the two writers is Sally Field's son. O_O Not a good sign... queue political correctness pandering in 3...2...1...

I hope I'm wrong.

I saw it in the theater 8 times in 1986, and about 5 times more in its limited big screen releases over the years. Watching it on VHS/DVD/BluRay, brings my total to well over 100 (I lost count after then). It just never gets old to me. My wife tested me once and turned HBO on when "Top Gun" was on a few weeks ago and said don't look and tell me what movie this is. All I heard was 2 seconds' worth of ambient bar noise from a hallway and "Hot Summer Nights" playing and instantly I said "Top Gun" and called out the next few lines. Joanna was amazed. "How do you know that from only a second or two?" I just shrugged and said I've seen it over 100 times.

One thing I do hope they don't do is CGI it. One of the things that made "Top Gun" so special is that the footage is real, captured for the movie, and they used ALL of it. There is nothing left on the cutting room floor. That's why some of those scenes appear exactly in other places in the movie. That's one reason why they didn't make a sequel right away--they had no more footage and there was no budget to partner with the Navy to do more.


Again, I am intrigued.

v6,
boNes

I think my

We had already been primed for it...



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SwgU42XSpw



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkOsXNF_ZoM

Will he use the classic main theme again or will he write a new one? I am intrigued!

If they really have the heart and vision to and make the effort to do so I think they could without question create a worthy Top Gun 2. If its done in the right spirit where it counts. No CGI. If they approach the aerial photography with Final Countdown and Top Gun's philosophy of capturing real footage and working with the military folks that a big part of it right there. I'd personally like to see them also use models and practical effects again for combat stuff and explosions. That with certainly new camera tricks would be great. In my opinion, talented model work and practical effects are still king. I'd love to see them film with film too. I'm so tired of all the digital and sterile looking shows in the cinema. Them bringing back the original composer can be a great thing too. If Faltermeyer can organically borrow from the original, maybe even keeping a base theme the same, and then expound on it and take it further like good composers can do then that's also a big deal as far as how this movie could potentially turn out. The other actors. If they choose wisely, maybe even picking some folks who we've never heard of that would help. Especially get people who have the look but also prescense if even they aren't "pretty". I really would like to see them bring in some serious and even unknown actors and not the over used, popcorn, multi-sequel Marvel movie actors. I also do not want to see someone's modern social agenda find its way into or leading the narrative. If they can also carefully craft the scenes of the movie they could be not only nostalgic but visually attractive and stand on its own, securing the sequel's likelihood of being timeless in its own right. Scenes like the Tomcats trapping in the dusk light, all the glowing ship electronics and sweaty people tensely managing the air traffic, deck crew personality, beautiful use of sunlight in scenes, another "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" kind of moment but not done in a corny or obvious way, realistic spaces that are not over produced(sparse base rooms with windows open and fans blowing), getting the right actor that can achieve what Tom Skerritt brought to the film, perhaps some poignant encounters with old characters like "Jester" and so on.

I really hope this movie pays homage to the first in every good possible way while maintaining a Top Gun look and feel but managing to also stand on its own and to absolutely not crash an burn as either a caricature of itself or as a platform for pushing modern social agendas. If Final Countdown and Top Gun achieved what it did with aerial photography back in the early 80s, imagine what they could achieve now with potentially better camera setups and options available to them now.

I vote classic!!

Surely they'll open up with the original theme.
I don't mind CGI, but only as far as adding to a scene, not creating one. We want real aircraft. Cruise is an aviation nut, so I would imagine we'll be ok in that area. I'm looking forward to that new MI movie as well, the chopper scene is supposed to be really good with him flying.

Answers to your questions in the following videos:







He talks about aircraft carriers,the music score, actual planes, and he seems reluctant to talk about drones.

Must have had low numeric rear gears

I dunno guys! These Japanese animators can be quite good with making aerial combat sequences. Anyone seen the OVA to Macross Plus or Macross ZERO? Bloody awesome IMHO!

I wouldn't mind a Top Gun animated series with the above art and animation as long as it had a singular emphasis on naval aviation and a fun 80s vintage theme.

I've always loved that sequence.

Like "Electric Avenue"?

It was a Frankenstein and not a well done transplant, so I’m sure the rear end was what came with the original 305. I certainly couldn’t fix it, but it was fun while I hsd it! It was no Grand National, but ate Mustangs. (this was in ‘88). I’d love a nice TA now, stock, but those are $$$ now.

Usually base gears were like 2.56:1 or similar, for highway MPG. Could have also been torque converter; I have made that mistake. Although almost anything was an improvement over that 305. My '78 Formula had that engine. Awful.

We were talking about this elsewhere a year or so ago, and as far as I can see, the script practically writes itself.
http://community.combatsim.com/topic/42402-f14-tomcat/?do=findComment&comment=5188932

Tom Cruise rides Kawasaki again in Top Gun 2

''Tom Cruise is reprising his famous role as Maverick in the long-awaited Top Gun sequel and he’s again riding a Kawasaki, but this time it’s a supercharged H2R, not the GPZ900R he made famous in the original 1986 movie.''

https://motorbikewriter.com/tom-cruise-rides-kawasaki-again-in-top-gun-2/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/tv...ise-does-motorcycle-stunt-set-Gun-2.html

Funny thing is that at the time of "Top Gun", Tom Cruise did not know how to ride a motorcycle. Those were all stand-ins. The scene where he races a Tomcat down the runway, he was on the bike, but the bike was on the back of a truck so he just had to pretend he was riding it. In some versions of "Top Gun", depending on the screen fromat, you can barely make out the truck underneath him.

It's the little things that are interesting...

v6,
boNes

You are right,but then again he didn't only pretend to ride a bike but he also pretended to fly the F-14

I doubt it will happen but I'd love to see cameos by both Tom Skeritt and Michael Ironside.

BLASPHEMY!!!

Here, here. I'd like that very much too. Once again I hope the movie manages both to pay homage to the first but stand on its own and to not fall prey to being corny and a characterization of itself. I don't want to see the writing playing wink, wink, nod, nod with an audience it suspects or assumes are Top Gun fans. I think a well written an unassuming visit by Mav or some other character to Jester and Viper, wherever they are retired to, could be a nice touch.

Just please don't make it "Iron Eagle 4"!

v6,
boNes

This movie will have way too big of a budget to end up being like Iron Eagle.

I am kinda hoping for Firefox II - The Business Jet



Lots of plot possibilities.

Ex and maybe even future Presidents, congresspersons, foundation officers and oligarchs in a love trapezoid with Ukrainian stewardesses and, throw in oil too. No not that kind, the crude stuff!

Clint Eastwood is still a hard working film director so send him an email Nixer!!! Hey may just do a sequel.

I have no clue as to what Macross DYRL is but its got the style and atmosphere down!

Firefox 2 would be cool.

It is one of the Japanese versions of Robotech, it is called Macross - Do You Remember Love

There is a sequel to the novel for "Firefox" called "Firefox Down" where Mitchell Gant finds himself low on fuel and far from friendly territory...

v6,
boNes

I love Robotech...the "Macross Saga" is my favorite. Wasn't much on the "Masters," but also enjoyed "The Next Generation."

v6,
boNes

Iceman Returneth: Val Kilmer Back for ‘Top Gun’ Sequel With Tom Cruise

https://www.imdb.com/news/ni6208182...&pf_rd_i=homepage&ref_=hm_nw_tp1

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1745960/videoplayer/vi1084144409?ref_=tt_pv_vi_aiv_1

It was more or less expected in my opinion.

I'm assuming that Kilmer will be going through a massive workout regimen to lose weight before he starts shooting?

Kenny Loggins may be back too, as well as Danger Zone...but updated.
I see no reason Val can't get in shape, if he's healthy and if needed for the part. I don't know what he looks like today, but it might not even be needed for the part. It's ok to age!

I looked up "Val Kilmer Fat" (IE 11, Bing) and I see what PM is talking about. But then I looked up "Val Kilmer 2018" and it looks to me like most of the weight has come off.

I saw a very recent pic of Kenny Loggins snd I could barely tell it was him. He’s definitely had work done on his face.

I'm glad to see Val Kilmer will be in the movie. I only just recently discovered that he's apparently been battling some kind of cancer. If you see a recent photo of him you can definitely tell in his face and throat area he's been fighting something. I hope he's on the back side of all of that for his and his family''s sake and I'm happy to see that he will be in the movie! Some seem to always to refer to his weight in not so polite ways. I'm not talking about anyone here but in other places. I saw responses to a then and now video with pictures and its sad to see how disrespectful and uncaring people are. Its been over thirty years and life and time is not easy on the body for many if not most people.

Let's.be honest here, the fast lifestyle of '80s celebrities, coke, heavy tanning etc, has left most of them looking rather rough for their age despite being able to afford to take care of their appearance.

Coot, I agree. It's never cool to be disrespectful to others, especially in their presence. I can be judgmental myself sometimes, usually when I'm struggling with my own demons and insecurities. BTW, I looked it up, I had a worse BMI than Val Kilmer.

I think it was just shocking to people that he had a buff body and then let himself go, or so it seemed.

I'm wondering if Tom Cruise will get more flight time in the Hornet than he did in the Tomcat this time. From what I can remember from the behind the scenes stuff, I think he requested a ride in the Tomcat as part of the deal. It seemed to be more of an experience thing though in preparation for the role. Is it possible that this time around that they will actually give him more flight time that will actually be recorded and put in the movie? Obviously he wouldn't be the front seat guy but I'm curious as to whether they could get actual cockpit footage while he's in flight and use it in the movie for certain scenes? That would be pretty cool. For example we may see Hornet pilots in a flight training scenario. The shots will all be real with even Cruise being in a back seat but then with the movie magic cut he'll be the one flying in the film. Perhaps that is asking too much because even though he's a pilot, cruise is not a trained combat pilot and they may not do certain kinds of maneuvers with him on board.

Can he not ride up front on a trainer Hornet? I'm sure if the shot is close enough to make out Tom Cruise, it'll be too close to tell which Hornet he's in

Even trainer Hornets don't have flight controls in the rear cockpit.

v6,
boNes

Oh, they don't? Why are they trainer Hornets then?

They could shoot just head shots from the cockpit maybe with a little camera angle manipulation. Honestly I loved the mock up cockpit shots of Top Gun that I assume they swiveled about in front of a screen. They had a good look to them. In my opinion practical effects and model work is still better overall than total CG.

They actually do have full controls in the rear cockpits for the trainer version of the F. Interview below briefly discusses this (4:21 mark)

This must be relatively new or just exclusively for the Foxtrot then. I asked some Hornet RAG drivers back in 2003, maybe even as recent as 2005 and they said there were no controls in the back since it is for the WSO. I think to teach a pilot before soloing it was via flight simulator, then when they take to the air a flight instructor sat in the WSO seat and provided instruction and coaching to the student pilot. Just like they used to do in the Tomcat.

Good to know.

v6,
boNes

The F/A-18F variant of the Super Hornet can be either configured - and have been always this way if my memory doesn't fail on me - with flight control stick, throttles, and rudder pedals in the "trainer configuration" or with two hand controllers plus other equipment in a "missionized configuration".

You can read this on the Super Hornet's NATOPS manual which you can check here:
https://info.publicintelligence.net/F18-EF-000.pdf

And on page/chapter I-1-2 you can read the following:

"1.1.3 F/A-18F. The F/A-18F is the two seat model of the Super Hornet and is configured with
tandem cockpits. The rear cockpit can be configured with a stick, throttles, and rudder pedals (trainer
configuration); or with two hand controllers, a UFCD adapter, and foot-operated communication
switches (missionized configuration). The rear cockpit controls and displays operate independently of
those in the front cockpit."

I'm pretty sure that what the pilots which you talked to were referring to the "missionized configured" Super Hornet which carries a WSO in the place of the instructor (and not to a training configured Super Hornet) and such configured Super Hornet doesn't have flight controls on the back seat indeed.

Top Gun 2 delayed ONE YEAR, will now premier June 2020

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life...d-one-year-due-out-june-2020/1137656002/

From the link:

"The extra time will give filmmakers the opportunity to work out the logistics of presenting flight sequences with new technology and planes, according to a Paramount statement."



I can completely understand this. This will be a big budget monster project for all involved.

Oh hell...it's still two years away? Then, we'll see. I already got excited about the 8th Air Force mini-series when it was announced. Was that five years ago, I think? And the Dam Busters remake which isn't going to happen.
Why don't they just announce these things when they actually start filming? Or at least have a script.

Hype sells.

I just looked online for any new info on the 8th USAF mini-series and this is the most recent thing I could find:

https://www.arrse.co.uk/community/threads/the-mighty-eighth-spielberg-hanks-hbo.275074/

I follow the screenwriter for the mini-series on Twitter and unfortunately, he seems to be taking a page out of the George R. R. Martin method of writing.... I wouldn't hold my breath expecting to see this mini-series anytime soon


Absolute shame about Top Gun 2... no one at Paramount thought about filming challenges before they green lit the movie!?!?

Its interesting to see that from the article Ed Harris has been added to the cast which I find encouraging. A serious actor like that added combined with the flight sequence-focused delay makes me feel like this will actually turn out to be a serious and quality sequel which is what we fans are hoping for. Just look at the trailer for the new Predator movie...garbage! They seemed to have turn Predator into a pop culture comedy.

I'm also happy to see that apparently its confirmed that Val Kilmer is indeed taking part in the film.

I've been getting a little "Top Gun: Maverick" feverI hate to admit, I'm intrigued.

Maybe you saw the teaser ad with Maverick in front of the Super Hornet such as in:

https://variety.com/2018/film/news/tom-cruise-top-gun-maverick-photo-1202826439/

So I parodied it:



But all kidding aside I also like the leak of Mav's Super Hornet:

https://theaviationist.com/2018/09/...super-hornet-for-filming-top-gun-sequel/

To which I am even more intrigued. I like the 3 kill markings--allegedly to signify his victories in "Top Gun."

Could use a better color than blue though...more like tactical or Eastern Bloc camo would be nice.

v6,
boNes

Nice photo Bones!

That special Hornet paint scheme looks nice. Its got Maverick's name stenciled on it so I'm hoping we see plenty of aerial shots of this plane doing exercises over Nevada. I hope we get some good carrier action too.

Some more good shots regarding "Top Gun: Maverick" here:

http://www.tmz.com/2018/09/17/tom-cruise-reporting-flight-duty-instructor-top-gun-2-maverick/

v6,
boNes

That's an awesome pic bones!!! Love it.

I saw earlier today that the F-18 Cruise was flying in had to abort due to a technical fault with the aircraft.

Thanks, just had the crazy idea to do it on the spot.

v6,
boNes

Cautiously optimistic for this one. It's still Hollyweird so there's a good chance it will blow chunks. lol

Just the other day, an F-14 spotted on the deck on the CVN-71 Theodore Roosevelt in San Diego...

Nice to see the ol' Cat back in the spotlight.



Hi Tom

I remember this Tomcat being the subject of many Twitter rumors regarding "Top Gun: Maverick." One of the big rumors was that it was an Iranian Tomcat that would be used as the enemy jet, but they based this on the finflash. Lots of people were like, I've never seen that logo before, it must be that logo of an enemy air force.

Well, that logo happens to be the SECDEF Phoenix logo, an award for maintenance excellence:

From the SECDEF website:


Here's a sample winner:


And another (You know of course I had to sneak this one in):



It was just interesting to see what kinds of speculation came up on social media about the oo and ah sightings of "Top Gun: Maverick" production.

v6,
boNes

Cool images. Makes me wonder what they're cooking up for the movie. Hopefully something cool and appropriate and not something goofy.

Another photo shows the F-14 wrapped in the barricade



Filming also occurred in South L...s also show the actors in the snow.

That video makes me even more curious now as to what they are doing with the story. Could they be going Iron Eagle where Maverick and Goose's son commandeer an Iranian Tomcat? Maverick in flight gear running through the snow into a forrest?! What's going on?

I'll bet that the Tomcat is just part of a flashback scene.

That would be my first guess too.


Wheels

Active duty classified projects pilot gets asked to teach some Top Gun youths for special mission? He's wearing what I suspect is a pressure suit with low observable treatment to the fabric for some high altitude high speed trans-atmospheric thing when Ed Harris calls him in. What did Mav do with the last 30+ years after becoming an ace in a day? Used his cred to go faster, it seems, promotions be damned. I know what Cruise used his accomplished aviation experience and Hollywood clout for: to make this one as real as possible and not just shoot for three days in the aircraft.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSqVVswa420