19. The Tomcat and "Top Gun" (the Movie)

One of the stars of the 1986 movie 'Top Gun' was undeniably the F-14 Tomcat,. On this episode, we dig deep into what it took to create this memorable film. From the canopy-to-canopy scene, tower fly-by, and low-altitude flights over the desert, filming Top Gun required careful coordination and skillful performance from all involved, including the aviators, camera operators, and others. Former F-14 pilots “Bozo” Abel and “Smegs” Semcken were instrumental participants who offer their first-person recollections of the challenges and successes that helped make this iconic film. They disclose details that are sure to surprise! As a bonus, at the end of the interview we show a few minutes of never-before-seen HUD video from one of the TOPGUN squadron F-5s while filming scenes involving the “MiG-28.”