How Top Gun’s Fake MiG-28 Made the Movie Even More Epic!
In the midst of striving for authenticity, one obvious and intentional inaccuracy remains conspicuous: the type of enemy aircraft portrayed. The streamlined, black fighters that Maverick and his comrades engage are popularly known as “MiG-28s.” However, there is no such plane in reality. This change wasn’t a mistake or carelessness on the part of the filmmakers. Instead, it was a thoughtful, imaginative, and practical choice that, despite being nearly 40 years old, can now be seen not as an error, but as a potent element that significantly amplified Top Gun’s visual impact, narrative flexibility, and ultimately, its legendary status.