Top Gun "Goose" Costuming Guide.

[Korrigan]

I have not read this thread in its entirety so I'm not sure if its mentioned but the boots are made by Belville (Brown Steel Toed 330s)

Update: I attached some screencaps. Definitely black boots - it doesnt look like (modern) Belleville 800 though? I attached a picture of boots that look similar to me

 

[machzeropoint2]

Update: I attached some screencaps. Definitely black boots - it doesnt look like (modern) Belleville 800 though? I attached a picture of boots that look similar to me

Wow, ya know what you may be right. So obviously there is always some discrepancies between Hollywood and the military no matter what branch, but I was almost positive I was correct. Brown boots or “brown shoes” seriously go back to the earliest days of Naval Aviation, and as an extra bonus usually irritate the ship drivers. Apparently unbeknownst to me it irritated them so much that the Chief of Naval operations officially removed them in 1976 and they were not restored until 1985. Given Top Gun was released in 1986, when they did most of their filming it is very likely that they were still restricted to black boots. I learned something new today!

I stand corrected on the black boots, the one’s above would certainly be a good match as they are plain and assuming they are steel toe.

Whence the Term "Brown Shoes" | The Brown Shoes Project

thebrownshoes.org

 

[Banzai88]

I made this when researching the flag patch. Hope it helps!

 

[MrTRourke]

Hi team I totally love this thread and it has helped me so much in getting my costumes together. I will now be looking into the boots. Did you guys see that Maverick helmet went for $260k at prop store auction recently, pretty crazy.

Would anyone know the jacket and 2 Lower patches on Gooses relaxed outfit?
Any help is appreciated

 

[Korrigan]

Would anyone know the jacket and 2 Lower patches on Gooses relaxed outfit?
Any help is appreciated

If theres a scene in the movie where you can clearly see it and you could give me timestamps I can provide 4K UHD screencaps

 

[MrTRourke]

If theres a scene in the movie where you can clearly see it and you could give me timestamps I can provide 4K UHD screencaps

Cheers though it’s not clear, I have Prime video and there’s a brief shot of half the jacket at 37:39 of 1:11:49. Not sure if that helps but you can see the jacket after the screen where Maverick buzzes the tower.

 

[machzeropoint2]

I believe the jacket in question is the CWU-36p. It was the “summer” jacket meant to be lighter weight. This is a little more difficult because there are ALOT of jackets that look very similar and to top it off not only does the military change suppliers/vendors all the time but they are also quite a few civilian replicas.

Both of the jackets below were issued (left was issued to an uncle, right was issued to me) and have the exact same nomenclature but obviously look different. I think the one on the left is closer to what you are looking for. The one on the right is flat color wise.

It’s made out of a material that has a slight sheen to The jackets you see in the film appear slightly darker, because they have been weathered. They get darker over time as they pick up oil/fuel/grime etc. If possible I would highly recommend looking for one in person at a surplus store. The pictures from all the various vendors online can be confusing and misleading whether it is intentional or not

 

[machzeropoint2]

Hi team I totally love this thread and it has helped me so much in getting my costumes together. I will now be looking into the boots. Did you guys see that Maverick helmet went for $260k at prop store auction recently, pretty crazy.

Would anyone know the jacket and 2 Lower patches on Gooses relaxed outfit?
Any help is appreciated

In terms of the patches I would guess that the triangle patch is a CAG patch that denotes which airwing he belonged too. The second one I’m thinking is the “anytime baby” tomcat patch.

 

[Korrigan]

Cheers though it’s not clear, I have Prime video and there’s a brief shot of half the jacket at 37:39 of 1:11:49. Not sure if that helps but you can see the jacket after the screen where Maverick buzzes the tower.

The scene after they get chewed out for buzzing the tower? Where Goose visits Maverick at night?
I was able to get 2 semi-useful screencaps from that. The one patch looks like the normal "Tomcat" patch

to me. I cant really make out the other one (black/yellow triangle patch)
Edit: I found another picture on google... not sure where it's from so the quality isn't great but you can see both patches a little more clearly. Does the black/yellow patch look like Iceman's patch (Carrier Air Group 5) but upside down to anyone else?!

 

[Banzai88]

Does the black/yellow patch look like Iceman's patch (Carrier Air Group 5) but upside down to anyone else?!

Sure looks like it to me too! Looks like it shows up in TG:M

Also read that is indeed a faded photo of Goose.

 

[Korrigan]

Completely unrelated question but assuming the movie is set in 1984ish and Goose is in his 20's and graduated from Annapolis - what year would be plausible for him to have done so (graduated)? For off-the-charts-screen-accuracy for the Naval Academy class ring

 

[Banzai88]

Korrigan MrTRourke

There are many patches identified on THIS thread.

It ID'd that ICEMAN patch:

 

[machzeropoint2]

Banzai88 great follow up with the patches! Goose is a Ltjg meaning he is anywhere from 2 to 4 years out of the Academy (probably closer to 4 based on training pipelines). Korrigan I would caution you though, out of all the details in the costume a class ring is probably one that would not be well received by other USNA grads or other naval aviators. I can appreciate your attention to detail but I would probably steer clear of that one

 

[Korrigan]

Banzai88 great follow up with the patches! Goose is a Ltjg meaning he is anywhere from 2 to 4 years out of the Academy (probably closer to 4 based on training pipelines). Korrigan I would caution you though, out of all the details in the costume a class ring is probably one that would not be well received by other USNA grads or other naval aviators. I can appreciate your attention to detail but I would probably steer clear of that one

I am aware of "stolen valor" and that is not my intention at all - I'm based in a small german speaking country in Europe though so maybe that provides some leeway?
Or do i need to be more cautious because photos would end up on the internet and the context gets lost?

 

[machzeropoint2]

I am aware of "stolen valor" and that is not my intention at all - I'm based in a small german speaking country in Europe though so maybe that provides some leeway?

I wasn’t thinking so much stolen valor as it is a very sentimental thing for graduates who might get grumpy. That being said you probably are not very likely to run into any of the above groups while also in costume.

 

[Korrigan]

I wasn’t thinking so much stolen valor as it is a very sentimental thing for graduates who might get grumpy. That being said you probably are not very likely to run into any of the above groups while also in costume.

I can't relate to those groups and we don't have such an important military culture here so i might reconsider this detail if it would be taken in bad taste
If I posted a picture here or anywhere else chances are someone is going to see it

 

[machzeropoint2]

I can't relate to those groups and we don't have such an important military culture here so i might reconsider this detail if it would be taken in bad taste
If I posted a picture here or anywhere else chances are someone is going to see it

All good. I’m new here but it’s been my understanding that RPF is a place for like minded people to ask questions and share their expertise. Hopefully some of the things I have shared are in some way helpful but at the end of the day the above is just my opinion. I’m an USNA grad and I honestly could care less. I know what you are trying to do and I can appreciate that level of dedication. An outsider with a similar background might get their undies in a bunch.

Seriously though great work with all the details, definitely learned some things along the way too

 

[MrTRourke]

The scene after they get chewed out for buzzing the tower? Where Goose visits Maverick at night?
I was able to get 2 semi-useful screencaps from that. The one patch looks like the normal "Tomcat" patch View attachment 1352364 to me. I cant really make out the other one (black/yellow triangle patch)
Edit: I found another picture on google... not sure where it's from so the quality isn't great but you can see both patches a little more clearly. Does the black/yellow patch look like Iceman's patch (Carrier Air Group 5) but upside down to anyone else?! View attachment 1352367

Cheers this is awesome and thanks for the screen grabs, yes that was the correct scene I was referring too. Were you able to see anything when Goose first enters Mavericks room. I think you see the lower proper right patch. Though your clear studio photo is awesome help, especially with Gooses proper right shoulder. Cheers

 

[MrTRourke]

I believe the jacket in question is the CWU-36p. It was the “summer” jacket meant to be lighter weight. This is a little more difficult because there are ALOT of jackets that look very similar and to top it off not only does the military change suppliers/vendors all the time but they are also quite a few civilian replicas.

Both of the jackets below were issued (left was issued to an uncle, right was issued to me) and have the exact same nomenclature but obviously look different. I think the one on the left is closer to what you are looking for. The one on the right is flat color wise.

It’s made out of a material that has a slight sheen to The jackets you see in the film appear slightly darker, because they have been weathered. They get darker over time as they pick up oil/fuel/grime etc. If possible I would highly recommend looking for one in person at a surplus store. The pictures from all the various vendors online can be confusing and misleading whether it is intentional or notView attachment 1352287View attachment 1352286View attachment 1352285

Thank you so much for this information
Cheers

 

[Maverick8500]