Visible crew/equipment: When they return to Enterprise after their successful mission, Iceman points and shouts, "You!" at Maverick. In the shot facing Maverick as he turns his head, the reflections of the camera and large reflector screen are visible on Maverick's sunglasses. Also, note the lack of a crowd of people behind Ice in the reflection. (01:40:45)
Factual error: The navy won't just allow anyone to pick their assignment, just for doing their job. Maybe if he had saved the president's life or something. He was not qualified to go back to be a top gun instructor. He barely graduated, he didn't win the trophy. He had tons of issues, and there there was not even an opening since neither of the current instructors retired. You can't just add a new instructor, they can only be replaced.
Other mistake: During the dog fight at the end the officer questions the status of Willard and Simpkin, previously designated the pilots on alert on catapults 3 & 4. The reply was "both catapults are broken". But carriers have four catapults - nobody even considers using nos. 1 or 2.
Continuity mistake: After the volleyball game, when Maverick leaves on his motorcycle he's not wearing a belt on his way to Charlie's house. When he jumps the porch rail at Charlie's house to go around back, he is now wearing a belt. (00:42:25)
Character mistake: The Commanding Officer, CDR Metcalf (Viper), is wearing is CO pin under his ribbons on the left pocket. That means he used to be a CO, but is not currently. He should be wearing it over is right pocket to show that he is currently a commanding officer.
Factual error: After the initial contact between the F-14 and the 'Soviet' MiGs, Maverick is on final approach and the LSO (Landing Signal Officer) instructs Maverick to 'Call the ball', referring to the ships 'meatball' landing light system. Maverick calls back 'I have the ball'. The correct phraseology would have been 'Tomcat ball' followed by fuel state, such as 5 point 5 meaning 5,500 lbs fuel remaining.
Factual error: If a ship drifted into Russian waters, they wouldn't send for pilots that just graduated. They would use diplomacy first. They would send other ships and subs. They would only engage pilots if they were prepared to declare war. They would have hundreds of other pilots available. If any planes were shot down, it's an act of war. The two remaining MIGs would be joined by dozens more.
Continuity mistake: When Cougar is looking at the picture of his wife and child, it's a girl. When he is interviewed by the Captain, he says "I almost orphaned him..." (00:10:14 - 00:13:03)
Suggested correction: He actually says "I almost orphaned 'em out there today" ie. Orphaned THEM not him.
Except he follows it up with "I've never even seen him." So he's talking about a boy. And before the orphan line he said "wife and kid", not "wife and kids", implying only one child.
And he couldn't have orphaned them anyway if their mother is still living. Dude was all shook up and couldn't think straight.
Other mistake: When they go into the flat spin, Maverick is unable to pull the ejection handle due to high Gs. But in the F-14, there is an alternate ejection handle between the legs of the pilot.
Suggested correction: He is pinned forward, which is a peculiarity of the F14 as the pilot sits more aft than say an F/A18. Doesn't matter where the ejection handle is, he physically can't reach it.
Continuity mistake: Maverick and Charlie are having lunch. The wine hasn't been served, but the wine bottle spins between close-up shots with the label half shown to fully showing. (01:00:45)
Other mistake: Maverick and Goose were reprimanded at the beginning of the film and told, "you are number 2, Cougar is number 1. Cougar lost it and turned in his wings. You guys are number 1." This implies that Cougar and Merlin were going to Topgun. However, during their assisted carrier landing led by Maverick, their canopy is shown, and those inside are already wearing Topgun patches. This contradicts the statement given during the reprimand in the CAG's office previously mentioned.
Factual error: Maverick's total disregard to follow orders, land his plane when instructed too, plus his dangerous stunts while flying would immediately result in him being grounded, going before the naval board, and possibly having his flight status taken away for his disobedience. And he certainly wouldn't be chosen or invited to go to any TOP GUN school.
Visible crew/equipment: During Cougar's standoff with the MiG, Maverick comes in to assist him. Right after he says "I'm on my way" a few cuts happen then we see the right (or starboard in the Navy) of Maverick and Goose's F-14 along with the canopy. A camera can be seen in front of the copilot, onto of his instrument console.
Continuity mistake: Iceman's jet gets hits twice on two different occasions in the final dogfight segment. The hits were in the same portion of the jet. The goof is that the particular portion of the jet was magically clean again (no holes) just prior to the 'second-time' hit. That's because they used the same 'prop' for both the first and second hits - simply filmed from different angles. (01:36:53 - 01:37:24)
Continuity mistake: While having dinner with Charlie Mav puts his left hand next to his chin, but it disappears a shot later.
Continuity mistake: Charlie shows up while Mac is studying his flying moves. His hand is raised holding a pencil. From the opposite angle it's lowered. (00:36:10)
Continuity mistake: When the guys stop singing you've lost, check the waiter behind Charlotte. He turns around, gives his back to her and smokes. A shot later he's turned 180° and is now facing her.
Visible crew/equipment: When the pilots are introduced to Viper check the TV behind him. A huge white screen used for lighting is reflected.
Continuity mistake: Right before the pilots know who Charlie really is, the mechanics inspecting the plane behind change positions between the first and second shot. (00:22:51)
Continuity mistake: At the bar during the 'You've lost that loving feeling' part someone has his hand on Goose's shoulder or not depending on the shot. No continuity.
