F-14 Tomcat: Is it just a movie star or a true hero?

The F-14 Tomcat is one of the most recognizable military aircraft. Its broad, flat fuselage and swept-back wings are familiar to many. However, the F-14's fame is primarily linked to its role in the "Top Gun" film series rather than its combat achievements. This does not imply that the F-14 was not an effective combat aircraft; rather, in the post-Vietnam era, American planes rarely had the opportunity to engage in air-to-air combat. The actual combat experience of the F-14 in the air is virtually nonexistent.

Remembering the Tomcat

During three decades of service, American F-14s shot down only five air-to-air class aircraft. In fact, the F-14 achieved more aerial victories on screen in the two "Top Gun" films.

In the 1986 film, the F-14 plays such a prominent role that this multirole fighter could easily be considered a character in the movie. Director Ridley Scott skillfully showcased the Tomcat, capturing the beauty and power of this aircraft in one of the most magnificent films in cinematic history. Bathed in the rays of the setting sun and framed by blue waters, the F-14 is as striking as the other stars of the film—Tom Cruise or Val Kilmer. And of course, in the film's plot, the F-14 shoots down several fictional MiG-28s.

In the 2022 sequel "Top Gun," the F-14 appears in a scene where Tom Cruise's and Miles Teller's characters hijack an F-14 from an enemy airfield and perform an extremely implausible takeoff from a small platform. Once again, the F-14 is presented in the best light, valiantly battling "fifth-generation fighters" modeled after the Russian Su-57.

Overall, in the "Top Gun" series, the F-14 has more aerial victories than during its three decades of actual service in the U.S. Navy.

Results of Real Aerial Battles

In 1981, two F-14s from VF-41 shot down two Libyan Su-22 fighters in an incident that became known as the Gulf of Sidra incident. The initiating party was the Su-22, which was quite unwise on its part, as the Su-22 was poorly equipped to fight the advanced F-14s of that time.

Eight years later, in 1989, two F-14s from VF-23 again shot down two Libyan fighters—this time MiG-23s. Remembering the Libyan attack over the Gulf of Sidra, the F-14s believed the MiGs were engaging in combat and decided to intercept them.

The F-14 played an active role in the Gulf War, although the results do not reflect this: it recorded only one confirmed kill of a Mi-8 helicopter.

Widespread Use Abroad

It is important to note that the F-14 was also exported to Iran before the revolution. Iranian F-14s actively participated in combat operations throughout the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq War. Against Saddam's forces, the F-14 operated actively and successfully; the Iranians claim that the F-14 achieved 150 aerial victories. Only 55 of these have been confirmed, but in any case, this is ten times more victories than ever recorded by the Americans.

The irony is that one of the most recognizable American aircraft of all time, the F-14 Tomcat, achieved the overwhelming majority of its combat successes in the hands of Iranian pilots.

About the Author

Harrison Kass is a journalist writing about defense and national security, with over 1,000 articles on topics related to international issues. A lawyer, pilot, guitarist, and professional hockey player, Harrison served as a pilot trainee in the U.S. Air Force but was discharged for health reasons. He holds a bachelor's degree from Lake Forest College, a Juris Doctor from the University of Oregon, and a master's degree from New York University. Harrison listens to the band Dokken.