My favorite one-liner from Top Gun: "The Defense Department regrets to inform you that your sons are dead because they were stupid."

Back when I was at Gulfstream, I met Tom Cruise and his then wife Nicole Kidman at delivery up in Appleton Wi. Pretty cool guy and we talked flying for 20 min or so while the "suits" were doing what they do. I delivered the aircraft to his pilot who I had helped instruct in the new jet. Got a photo and an autograph which still hangs on my "love me wall" along with a few others I met!

If they let the release date slide much further, even the F-18 might be history

When I was in my mid teens, I lived in San Diego. One day I was walking along Blacks Beach and heard the distinctive sound of Military jet engines. I looked behind me and slightly out to sea, and a pair of F-14's were flying along the beach between 1000 and 1500 feet altitude. As they got near blacks beach, the lead pilot pulled a very snappy aileron roll for the very naked people on the beach. It was truly one of the highlights of my teens. I've loved the F-14 ever since. Such a beautiful aircraft.

So far, the best line I've heard on the trailer is when Mav says, "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting an invitation back." and the Admiral says, "They're called orders, Maverick."

Ward, I downloaded the F-14 for DCS and decided to be the RIO. I figured let the pilot worry about flying and getting the plane back aboard the carrier. I'll just sit back, enjoy the view, talk on the radio a little, and maybe play some volleyball when I'm back on base. Then I sat down in the RIO's seat and my head exploded. Much respect to you and the job you did.

I was serving in the Navy when the first Top Gun movie came out and I can tell you it was a real morale booster when we were out at sea and running plane guard for the carriers. Seeing the F-14's flying low over my destroyer when coming in to land gave me goose bumps every time. Believe it or not, some of us were actually hoping for some military action to happen to break up the boredom aboard ship. With all the training and simulations we did, we were very confident in our capabilities. Excellent job with your video and I think you are on the right track with the plot of the new movie.

Tom Cruise won't let us see it till we fulfill the sacrifice to Xenu.

I was on a brunch cruise in San Diego and saw a tomcat sitting on a carrier as we were passing by. I was like, "What the hell is a tomcat doing on an active carrier?" Turns out it was for the movie. They pulled a tomcat out of a museum and placed it on the carrier for filming.

My theory is Cruise is a Hornet pilot/instructor and gets selected to the SR72 project, gets shot down, they try to rescue him and one also gets shot down. Cruise and the other shot down pilot find each other. They’re shot down over Iran who happen to have some F14 sitting around and Cruise and I presume Rooster fly it out of Iran to safety whilst having a Goose memorial moment.

I noticed, and posted about that "Penny Benjamin" reference over a year and a half ago, and people here on KZfaq called me a raging idiot. I feel so vindicated now. Thank you!

Such a treat to have someone with your level of expertise break this down (along with all your other videos). Just found your channel and being a lifelong geek your videos are super refreshing and informative. Thanks so much.

Good times......I was involved in the original TopGun and it was a good time. I worked for Northrop and maintained the Black F5's (Mig's) used in the movie. That was a great time to be involved in aviation.

I'm hoping there's a scene where Maverick bumps into a fellow aviator from the first movie, in which Maverick asks him what he's doing in life now? To which, the former Naval Aviator responds that he's "...making a living flying rubber dogsh!t out of Hong Kong." I think that would be a nice comedic nod.

Hi there Cmdr. Ward! I'm the son of a ATC in Pensacola and grew up surrounded by Naval Aviation. I became enamored with the training aircraft from the T-28 to the T-39. I was 9-10 years old when they broke ground on the Museum and cherish my younger days learning about Naval Aviation and hanging out at Barrancas Beach. Grew up, became a Marine parachute rigger/air delivery specialist and have been working in some form of air cargo most of my adult life. Thank you for your channel and awesome insight. I can riminess of back in the day and continue learning. Prayers to Capt. Snodgrass, family, and sorry for your loss. I met "Snort" at an airshow back in the day of the F-14 demo. Wasn't sure who he was and there was some respectful banter from us Marines about his luscious blonde hair and Hollywood good looks. The banter quickly turned to immediate respect when I saw him fly. Thanks again all you do.

OMG, You know how hard it is to try and stay alive and now I have to wait longer! This is all Im living for!

Can we sue paramount for cruel and unusual punishment as they keep pushing the date back...?

The moment I hear that guitar and bell will the moment it all comes rushing back. I was 16 when I watched the original at the cinema. And his is one 51 year old who can't wait to live it again. Still only feels like yesterday.

I can’t think of a movie sequel with more riding on it than this. All of us 80’s kids have fingers crossed.

I’ve seen that F9F crash a billion times and I was always sure he didn’t make it. Thanks for the S2 on that

Ok for years I have wonder what happened to that F9F panther pilot. Thank you so much for letting us know he was fine.

Mr .Ward, I have grown up watching TC movies and,although I don’t agree with certain aspects of his personal life, but he’s become one of the most iconic actors of all time. He does put in the work and for that I salute him. He’s extremely picky about getting things right. And they were playing volleyball in the first one too. 😉. You are quickly becoming one of my favorite KZfaq channels sir. My grandpa was an airplane mechanic and private instructor so my love for planes runs deep and my respect for our military pilots is immense. I live right next to Ft Bragg and I remember when they had A-10 and F-16’s stationed here. I also remember the terrible accident on Green Ramp. I also have the honor to have met and become friends with some RotorHeads and they are all top notch guys. Thank you again for your service and for the knowledge that you have been sharing with us. Sounds like you have had a pretty interesting life sir. Much love.

I just found your channel and I'm binge watching EVERYTHING you've posted. I grew up so fascinated with jets and aviation and all of this stuff you're talking about are like a boy's dream. I wouldn't have ever imagined that I'd be able to watch this kind of content for free but here we are, it's January of '22. Even if we still don't have this movie, I don't even care. Your channel is filling a hole better than the fictional movie could.

The use of the F9 ramp crash in Hunt for Red October has always humored me.

A friend of mine on a cross country training flight recently found the snowy low level they fly through in the trailer. It's Navy owned (as expected) up in WA. She said it's the best flying in terms of sure beauty and enjoyment she's ever done.

Fascinating insight and theories on the plot Ward. Took my then girlfriend to the original on a first date back in 86, still married to this day and having to wait 35 years for a sequel has been torture. It looks like it will be incredible and it wouldn’t surprise me if it breaks box office records around the World. “It must be close, I’m getting a **** on” 😉

Thank you G 2.0 "Goose 2.0". Watching you film this I am getting more excited. Every time I go into my Costco store I hit the trailer on the big TV and people stop and watch. Keep it coming.

I served aboard Ranger 89-93 back during the Tomcat era. That was the best time of my life!!! -Boats Top Gun Maverick was a great movie. I saw it yesterday. It brought back a lot of memories of my Navy days.

Fascinating Ward!

My brother was an aviation Machinist Mate back in the late 80s. he was able to give my son and I a tour of the Top Gun flightline when it was at Miramar. I have a photo of my son standing by the tail end of a Tomcat. You don't realize how big they are until you stand next to one.

I just really hope they make it to "Truckmasters". Love the video man, and how you bring all of your experience into trying to piece together what the plot will be. 👍

New subscriber. I was Marshall controller on CV/A 59 USS Forrestal 1967-69, tower/TRACON Oceana 1965, off/on until 1970. Many backseat flights in T-33, F9 (VA-43), F4E (VF74), CAT shots/recoveries/tanking in A3D off Forrestal in the Med (Honorary crew VAH-10), numerous right seat flights in A1 Skyraider while controller at NAS Naples...and many other ops. Retired FAA controller, 36 yrs - MGM, MEM, CVG, DAY. Commercial/multi-engine/ instrument license. Mitch Gilliam (KG-Killer) Love your site.

Really love the content. Always wanted to be a Naval Aviator and listening to someone who actually lived and talks about it is amazing. Many Thanks!

People who are dying from a terminal illness should get a special screening of this movie if time isn't on there side. this movie will now have been put off close to two years this movie has so much meaning to me, I think this movie should be a warm weather release I would actually wait just to be able to watch this during the spring or summer time but I do believe strongly that this move is going to be the best action movie for the next few years maybe even decade

Thank you for taking the time to break down and explain the details. I'm disappointed it's delayed, but excited to go see it when it comes to theatres. Keep up the great work!

Saw TopGun right before going to College. I knew I wanted to fly then. I ended up joining the Army and flying helicopters and later flew briefly for the airlines after I left active duty. Watching these trailers is like going back in time for me. Thanks for the break down and keep us posted on the updates.

Let's just hope they get music on par with Kenny Loggins' kick ass opening song from the last one!

I'm so looking forward to this more than any film I've ever seen!!! Great breakdown, thanks.

Ward has a few smirks in this vid. Hey we civilians have to live our lives vicariously through you hero’s Mr. Carroll. At least we get to pay for you Hero’s and are happy and honored to do it. Great video!

BZ!!! I just found your channel. I've an interesting story for you. I'm a retired Navy pilot. I had 7 years active duty and 13 in the reserves, retiring in 1992. On a drill weekend, shortly after the movie was released, we were in the BOQ, drinking beer and discussing the movie. One of our pilots was working as a 747 F/E for NWA (now Delta). He commented that he'd flown a lot of cargo flights out of Hong Kong that were carrying novelties. He believed that he had "flown a cargo plane full of rubber dogsh*t out of Hong Kong". At the time, he was based in Seattle, and earning $75k/year. He thought it was a pretty good deal. My son-in-law and his buddies were big fans of the movie. At their wedding, he and his buddies surrounded our daughter, singing "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling". It was an awesome sight!

Love the CVW-1 patch. I was in that CAG with VFA-136 in 2016 to 2019 and deployed on the Truman on 2018. Also had the pleasure of working at NAWDC which also had one of the F/A-18Fs used for filming.

thank you for softening the blow with some sneak peeks!

Thank you for your service, I'm 52 and saw Top Gun in theaters when it came out, my girlfriend that is 33 and a Navy veteran was stationed at NAS Oceana from 2003 to 2007 had never seen Top Gun until I watched it with her a little over a year ago, I thought that would be required viewing in the Navy. ;--) We are both waiting, but not patiently for the sequel.

This is the 3rd time I've tuned in, really enjoy your knowledge and hope to see more 👍

Can't wait to finally see this with my dad who is an Air Force vet. Got to see the original with him in Honolulu when I was a kid and I remember him ruining the magic a bit when he let me know that the MIG's were really F-5's.

Though I've seen Top Gun hundreds of times, I never did see it in the theater. It would be cool if they did a theatrical release of the original leading up to the release of Maverick.

BZ, Commander. Retired AVCM in 1976 after three years on the FID. Served four years (1963-1967) at NATC in Weapons Systems Test helping contractors improve the F4B's AERO-1A AMCS look down capability. F4J NPE member working for LT (at the time) Harry Lee Blackburn. Flew as a radar operator in F4Bs where I earned aircrew wings (see MAY 1964 Naval Aviation News) thanks to my mentors LCDRs (at the time) Duke DeEsch, Carl Martin and especially Bill Elliot; super RIOs. Three West Pacs and four Meds. VF-141 F3H Demons. VF-41 F4J Phantom IIs. Taught AWG-10 at NAMTD Oceana. IM-3 Division Chief on the FID. Enjoy your presentations immensely. Thank you.

Thank you for dissecting the trailer in such a meaningful way, Ward, and for adding so many interesting bits and pieces of information to it to help us make sense of it. I have been excited about seeing TOP GUN MAVERICK all along, and now I am even more excited. Nice work, Sir! 👍 - Martin

Fred was a cool politician , I enjoyed his acting

I have a theory on the plot. Maverick is now a test pilot, flying the "SR-72". This happens right at the beginning of the film. Something happens where he is forced to eject, losing the aircraft. Shift to the scene of Mav and Ed Harris. Going to guess that Ed Harri's character no longer wants to deal with Mav, so he is given orders back to Top Gun. Then a special mission comes up, where Maverick has to train some younger pilots for the mission. Of course, he runs into Goose's son, and we get that tension between the two. After training, the group is sent to the ship and launches out on this mission. During the mission, I'm going to guess Rooster gets shot down, followed by Maverick. Remember the photos of Cruise and Teller in the snow in Lake Tahoe? While trying to find a way to escape, they find the Tomcat, steal it and make their way back to the carrier. Going to guess there will be some sort of dogfight, resulting in the Tomcat being damaged. They make it back to the carrier, but have to take the barricade (photos were seen of a Tomcat on the TR, snagged in the barricade. Maverick and Rooster bury the hatchet and I'm going to guess Maverick finally takes his promotion, or he leaves the Navy. The reason they didn't use the JHMCS helmets is because it doesn't use a clear visor, since the tinted visor has HUD symbology on it. That, and as you had mentioned, you can't see the actors faces.

Fantastic presentation, Mr. Carroll. Your enthusiasm is obvious. Well done!!!

Hey Ward, thanks for this insight into this much anticipated movie. Looking forward to seeing it one day! Please keep the vids coming.

I can add a few things. Rooster gets shot down in enemy territory, and Maverick has to rescue him. I think...not certain.....they both stumble upon a Tomcat in a hanger somewhere and fly it out.

Wow, those mishap videos back then were yours! Cool. I was an AO in VF-102 in 1990-1994. I was very into photography and had a pretty high-end (for the day) Hi-8 video camera. I gave it to several of our Rio’s to get some cockpit videos during the years. They all loved it as it was better than what they had available. Our MO gave me copies of all those mishap videos you just mentioned as well as others from that time. Thanks for all the very informative videos you are putting out. Brings back a lot of great memories.

O3 officer guy, USMC, stationed Pendleton time of Topgun. Knew Oclub well down there. LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. 89 Mig kill was the absolute best insight I have ever heard. Thanks.

Cruise admitted in a Top Gun documentary that he did in fact get air sick.

2023: "We are so excited to finally get Top Gun Maverick this summer!!!"

Love the videos! A buddy led me here. I seen your hat and I guess you were on the Truman? I went yesterday and seen a Tomcat B that was on that ship and is at the aviation museum at Lexington, Ky. It's numbered 101.

Thoroughly enjoy your walking us through these clips.

I reported onboard the Enterprise in September of 86 right after they filmed Top Gun on the big E

I was really keen to see what kind of aircraft were being used in this movie as its 35 years since the F14 Tomcat made its name in the original. I was pleased to see that the F18 Super Hornet in the trailer as our Australian RAAF are flying them and the Growlers. We have our first squadron of F35A Lightnings so our air force is small but with the latest tech.

Noooooo not again :( I’ve been looking forward to this movie since it was announced. We were soooo close. Thanks for the update and for sharing your story. And thank you for your service 💙

Received a personalized message from Tom himself in the cinema before the film. This really meant ALOT to him. Bravo 👏

Cannot wait for this movie. One of the few movies I'm actually looking forward to and wanted.

I remember watching THFRO the first time, and yelling "That's a Panther!" lol

Late comer to your channel Ward but glad i signed up. This video was the funniest I have seen so far whether you intended it to be or not as your dry wit cracks me up. Keep up the good work.

Thanks Ward for all you do on this channel.👍

Splendid! Greetings from Poland!

Theory: Maverick buzzes the tower in an "SR-72", gets busted back to Top Gun (hey, it's Hollywood) and trains the young guns. They proceed to get themselves in trouble and and Maverick has to save their a$$es in a Tomcat he has hidden in his man cave since Goose's death.

Hey Ward- Nice work dude, in front of the camera and being a backseater. THANK YOU for your insights, intellect, and service.

Good work, Mooch. Absolutely love the channel.

I call Phoenix as Maverick's daughter, reason being is she rises out of the ashes of Maverick's relationship with Charlie. Charlie had to have died.

Excellent, professional and really interesting explanatory video, I enjoyed it very much! Thank you very much Mr Ward, greetings from Hungary!

Thanks for all the great work on Approach magazine.

Nice content. Thanks for the Vlog. Around 2003 I got to fly in a Aero L-29 Delfín. I sat in the front seat and the PIC was in the back. He let me manipulate the controls. I definitely had to ask him where the trim was when we picked up airspeed. We did a few aileron rolls. It was a lot of fun. This was out of Yolo County CA over Lake Berryessa. Good times.

I didn't realize you were the editor of "Approach". I used to love that magazine! Shout- out to "anymouse"!

I would love to see an in depth interview with you and Mover (C.W Lemoine) considering your backgrounds. Cheers mate.

I am an electrical flight assessor for the USN/USMC/USAF and my job is to make sure all the wiring and equipment is safe for flight. The cameras would have gone thru my group but I didn’t have any part of it. I love my job supporting the Warfighter.

Hi Ward! I’m Linda from Huntington Beach, CA. I love watching your flight stuff(especially the F-14s) as I spent 1973-76 at NAS Fallon with my ex. I was there when the first squadron of Tomcats came into Fallon for training, & boy, did they ever put on a heck of a show! WOW! That show hooked me on watching the aircraft that flew in for the rest of my ex’s time there, & to this day. I actually got to watch an SR-71 land & take off as well, but that’s a whole different ball of wax! Thank you for taking the time to make these videos! BTW....NAS Fallon is right around 4950 feet or so.

I definitely can't wait for Maverick to hit the big screen. I'm sure it's going to be great.

Very good indeed! Greetings from me in Norway. Happy spring time.

Thank you SO much for not saying "a myriad of ways" you rock.

Love your videos!!! I was a VF143 AT and was TAD to AIMD-IM3 Division - VAST. I fixed Many AWG 15 systems for the RIOs. I was also a NAMTRADET instructor at NAS Oceana, then worked for NADEP Norfolk Field Service teams, and built the VAST shops on TR, ABE, and GW. I also worked IWT for a bit.

There are also known photos of the San Diego museum's Tomcat sitting in a barrier on an active CVN

The bottom line is profits, and who can blame him ? He put out many many millions to make this film that so many of us were hoping he would make. Tom Cruise never disappoints.

“Mooch”- You hit it out of the park, with this, sir. Hope you are well.

I’m a huge Top Gun fan! Thank you for sharing this! I’m super excited for the sequel.

Interesting information! Even though the F/A-18E/F Super Hornets look sleek, I still miss the Tomcats more.

Like the Beatles Abby Road in the background with the four head shot pictures from the White albums.

I always thought that footage of a crashed tomcat was off! Thanks for clearing that up.

By the time this movie comes out I’ll be Tom Cruise’ age and I’m currently 47

LOL and he wrote for Approach! One of Two mags (the other: 'Mech Magazine) as a maintainer, one would read with reverence...

@Ward Carroll, I'm so thankful that you made this video. As a Navy veteran, Top Gun had a bit of nostalgia for me. I went to Radio A School in San Diego in 1982 so being in the Southern Cal geographic area also plays a big part in the nostalgia. I loved this video. I am subscribing to your channel just to watch your videos. My dad was 2nd generation Navy. He passed away in 2019. My stepfather is a Navy veteran, and my dad's high school buddy. Weird, I know. Also, another friend of theirs is a guy named Ed who did almost 35 years in the Navy and began as an enlisted and ended up as an LT Commander at his retirement. I still talk to him to this day on FB. There's a deep connection with us Navy men. Oh, and I'm still friends with a man whom I served with on the USS Petrel in the radio shack. Obviously, I was connected to Submarine Navy! I got to be my ship's com liaison on the USS Woodrow Wilson - one of the greatest memories of my life. Thank you!

Yes, 5 to 7g's for an extended period of time WOULD get someone's attention. Mr. Carroll you are the king of understatements! ;)

You didn't mention the pictures of the Tomcat that where taken when they hoisted it onboard a carrier to film a crash landing scene

hey ! you forgot to say that Tony Scott cool sunset footage got being possible when Tony asked the captain to keep the course for a better cinematic experience and the captain answered that it costs a lot to change planned course, like 25000 dollars per hour, and Tony made a check of 25000 dollars right away (that was never cashed anyway) ! This is how this story got possible that scene at the start that gave me huge goosebumps at the movie theater and even shaking my father's arm from excitement (with the so good music theme we all know)

Cinematography of Top Gun Maverick is epic, can't wait to see it on big IMAX screen. Plus sound of those Hornet Engines ? Oh my god it's gonna be fantastic experience :)

I've been waiting a long time for this movie to come out. Excellent video. I see you are a Beatles fan.

I believe there was also footage (filmed on a carrier in harbor in San Diego) of an F-14 in the netting on a carrier deck. Could be the dramatic return/landing of Maverick & Rooster after escaping in an enemy F-14. There also seems to be a lot of questions in regards to Viper. No one has confirmed or denied if he was part of the filming.

As an AO, I really liked the cinematography in Flight Of The Intruder. Bombs don't always get the screen time that air-to-air missiles do, and they went to the extra effort of showing how the retarding fins work.