When Maverick arrives at Top Gun he looks at the photo of him and Ice, then you see the photo of Ice and his title, the camera pans back so you can see the plaque on the wall to the left of Ice and Maverick and it says:

‘Lt Pete “Maverick@ Mitchell and Lt Tom “Iceman” Kazansky

Onboard USS Ranger, after Mig 28 kill.

May 12 1986

Official US Navy Photograph.’

Why is this an error I hear you ask?

Well when Mav goes through the Jetwash on Hop 31 and loses Goose, you hear in the board of inquiry hearing that the accident took place on July 29.

Now it can’t be that Top Gun finished in May the following year as Charlie says about seeing new recruits every 8 weeks, but prior to that when Mav gets told by Jardian they’re going to Top Gun he mentions 5 weeks, so unless I’ve missed something, anyone have any other conclusions?