No, the United States no longer flew the iconic F-14 Tomcat in Top Gun: Maverick.

But unlike many of the aerial scenes that were filmed with the actors in the back of the Super Hornet, no combat sequence with F-14 Tomcat is real. Cause? The United States does not have any units in service. And although there were rumors that the fighter was allegedly restored and repaired specifically for use in the film, this was not true.

Today, the only operational F-14 Tomcats in the world are in Iran. And, as you understand, this is not a country with which the Americans have good relations. Thus, given the active involvement of the Department of Defense (DoD) and the US Navy in Top Shooter: Maverickany possible collaboration between the producers of the film and the Iranian Air Force was simply not possible.

In fact, since the aircraft was decommissioned in 2006, the Americans took a particularly careful approach to the recycling process. This is to prevent Iran from gaining access to spare parts and key parts to keep the F-14 Tomcat in service.

But be careful, that doesn’t mean the iconic Grumman fighter jet wasn’t in Joseph Kosinski’s film. Actually yes, but not in flight.

At the end of 2021, a formal manufacturing assistance agreement between the US Department of Defense and manufacturers Top Shooter: Maverick. The 84-page document, covering events from 2018 to 2020, clearly states that the relevant authorities agreed to provide F-14 Tomcat for minor modifications and use in scenes on the deck of an aircraft carrier.

“Subject to the approval of the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) and the National Naval Aviation Museum (NNAM), the production company has the right to borrow the historic F-14 Tomcat, repaint the aircraft in an NNAM approved paint scheme, remove ejection seats for on-stage filming and technical aircraft maintenance to keep the control panel and ambient lighting working to support filming on board the CVN. [un portaaviones] and at a second location to be determined. All costs associated with transportation, painting and maintenance are solely the responsibility of the manufacturing company.”

This goes hand in hand with images that were released in early 2019 when an F-14 Tomcat was spotted aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during filming. Top Shooter: Maverick.

F-14 Tomcat’s scenes Top Shooter: Maverick They are beautiful no matter what.

Although the F-14 never flew again, the scenes Top Shooter: Maverick that he has as a protagonist are formidable. Up to the fact that they were highly appreciated by fighter pilots and aviation specialists. Author and youtuber CW Lemoinea former US Air Force and Navy pilot with F-16 and F-18 experience cited the use of the Tomcat as one of the highlights of Tom Cruise’s new film.

“I think that some things on the Tomcat look more realistic than the actual flight of the aircraft. We know they don’t exist in the United States. And they also didn’t go to Iran to look for their own, which are the only ones left. But I think all the episodes look great despite not being real. [El F-14] He still has the same screen presence as in the first the best weapon. I was really very impressed […], I think it’s great. They have achieved even very small details; if you play DCS and you’re familiar with Tomcat, you’ll say, “Oh, I know why they did it.” They got those little details that the fans hardcore They will thank you,” he said in a recent video.

Thus, it is more than clear that the F-14 Tomcat has not flown in the US again and never will. Luckily, Movie magic and visual effects allowed us to see him once again in all his splendor in Top Shooter: Maverick.