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.
Continuity mistake: In the beginning scene of the movie, Maverick and Cougar encounter 2 Soviet Migs. When one of the MIgs is first shown from the camera angle on its right side, it is a delta winged aircraft. The next scene that shows the Migs, they have standard wings. The wings change at least twice during the opening air encounter.
Other mistake: The guy in the tower drinking coffee works at both Mirimar and the Enterprise? It is the same guy. Identical looking, hair color, wearing the same exact style of sun glasses, etc. The second scene, the air boss seems to refer to the first scene as well, making a statement of "g** d*** that guy!" and laughs after having spilled the coffee, as though this has happened before. Seems to me they are making it pretty clear its the same guy. I would think the air boss on a land based training facility would be a different person that the one assigned to the Enterprise.
Suggested correction: He got reassigned in the 8 weeks.
Continuity mistake: In the final dogfight, Hollywood and Iceman are up against 5, count them, 5 Migs. Hollywood is shot down and Maverick is launched. Maverick takes out one Mig, Iceman takes out the next. That is two. Maverick takes out a third. For the finale, Maverick hits the brakes and lets him fly right by for a total of FOUR kills. Then the remaining Migs bug out. Two Migs are shown leaving. That adds up to 6 Migs, not 5. [Initially 5 Migs do show up on radar. But just after Maverick launches, Slider tells Iceman "We've got four on our tail. That makes 6 of them". So there isn't actually a continuity error when the remaining two Migs "bug out".]
Continuity mistake: When Maverick and Goose land in the sea by parachute, they are virtually on top of each other. But on the way down they are quite far apart, and would definitely not have landed in exactly the same spot.
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: In the bar scene near the beginning, when Iceman is talking to Maverick about Cougar, the camera is facing Mav and he has the beer bottle up to his mouth. It switches views in the next shot with the camera behind Mav, and he is not drinking. Then the view switches back to facing Mav, and the beer bottle is back up to his mouth and he's drinking from it.
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: In the scene in the airport after Maverick quits, Charlie tells him, "you've got that maneuver down real well," and it cuts to a close-up of Maverick. Movement is seen in the shiny wall behind him, which is a reflection of Charlie standing up. It cuts to a wide shot of both of them seated. Then she stands up to say, "So long, Pete Mitchell."
Continuity mistake: Maverick is talking to Charlie in the scene where she gives him her address. In the angle from behind him, his right hand is up holding a pencil next to his head. In the reverse shot, his hand is down. No pencil.
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.
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: While having dinner with Charlie Mav puts his left hand next to his chin, but it disappears a shot later.
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: 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.
Continuity mistake: At the bar, when Goose and Ron are talking Goose's beer is held down, but a shot later he's drinking from it.
Character mistake: In the elevator scene the elevator stops and a commander steps in wearing his hat. Hats are only to be worn inside unless a person is under arms.
