Tom Cruise is famous for his charming persona, exceptional acting skills, and self-made action scenes that capture the hearts of movie buffs worldwide. His fame has brought him a huge fortune, including an impressive airplane collection worth hundreds of millions of dollars. But can Tom Cruise fly a jet? Take a moment to explore!
In this article:
Tom Cruise’s Planes: Embodiment Of Luxury
Tom Cruise owns a fleet of 4 planes, with some ownership still under speculation. The most famous one is the P-51 Mustang that featured in Top Gun: Maverick. His remaining jets include Gulfstream IV G4, HondaJet HA-420, and Bombardier Challenger 300. All are luxurious and highly valued.
P-51 Mustang
Fans of the iconic movie Top Gun are no strangers to the vintage P-51 Mustang that appears in the final scene alongside Maverick and Rooster. However, not many people know about its owner – Tom Cruise himself.
This Mustang was a single-seat fighter aircraft built during World War II. In 1944, it was produced at the Dallas assembly plant by North American Aviation with serial number 111-36123. Unlike the D models, it features an 11-foot aeroproducts prop, later replaced by a Ham-Stan one for safety purposes. This version also has a unique canopy and a pair of K-24 cameras.
Initial ownership of the P-51 belonged to the U.S. Army Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, and other wealthy individuals. It wasn’t until 2001 that Tom Cruise bought it for an estimated $4 million and stationed it in California.
At one point, the A-list actor decorated the warbird’s side with “Montana Miss” and “Kiss Me, Kate” as a heartfelt gesture to his wife. Unfortunately, recent proof shows that these quotes have disappeared following their separation.
In addition to his former spouse, Cruise has taken some celebrities, such as Jennifer Connelly or James Corden, on a hair-raising flight on the P-51. While Connelly expressed her enjoyment with this incredible experience, the host of “The Late Late Show” suffered from insecurity due to safety concerns.
Gulfstream IV G4
The private jet is one of the most expensive possessions in Cruise’s multi-million-dollar collection. It is a testament to his wealth, with a value of up to 20 million USD.
But what makes this acquisition impressive is the origin of this model. The Gulfstream IV was produced within eight years, from 1985 to 2015. Most models were sold to the military and government. The fact that Cruise owns one of these and renovates the interior to his taste shows the caliber of his connections behind the curtain.
His private jet embodies luxury and comfort. Its lavish interior overwhelms anyone, even when you only witness it on screen. The large cabin includes 19 seats with plush backrests and soft cushions. But the most outstanding features are the private movie theater and Jacuzzi bathtub, taking your in-flight entertainment to new heights at 40,000 feet. In addition, Cruise also equipped it with a convenient sofa bed and a spacious bathroom with all the essentials.
In addition to comfort, Gulfstream IV is recognized for its high performance. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Tay 611-8 turbofan engines, it serves a range of 4,220 nautical miles (~ 7,815 km) and a maximum speed of Mach 0.88 (~ 675 mph). That being said, it is the perfect choice to cater to the travel needs of the Hollywood movie star.
HondaJet HA-420
While there’s no official confirmation that Cruise owns this plane, plenty of strong evidence points in that direction. Many sources, such as SlashGear, Bizjournals, or Globalair, have reported on his ownership since 2019.
It’s said that Cruise used the HondaJet HA-420 number N77VA to fly to Burbank airport before taking James Corden on a thrilling flight in his P-51 Mustang.
The HA-420 features two engines and eight seats. At the maximum altitude of 43,000 feet, it reaches around 500 mph and covers a range of 1,200 nautical miles.
Bombardier Challenger 300
This plane is believed to be a part of Cruise’s aviation collection. Though the superstar actor never confirmed this rumor, Celebrity Jets’ Twitter account indicated that Cruise landed a Challenger 300 at Kerry Airport 12 minutes after taking off from Shannon.
The plane features dual engines with 10 seats. It operates for approximately 3,220 miles at a maximum speed of 460 mph and an altitude of 45,000 feet.
Does Tom Cruise Have A Pilot’s License?
YES. Cruise’s dedication to aviation extends far beyond the usual penchant for high-end vehicles. His hobby motivated him to pursue and obtain a certificate to become a licensed pilot in 1994. That said, he can handle many aircraft types, similar to how he acted on the silver screen.
Is Tom Cruise a real pilot? Interestingly, he actually takes the role of pilot on screen in real life.
FAQs
What Jets Were Used In Top Gun 1986?
The F-14A Tomcat takes the spotlight in the original Top Gen. In addition, there are a few other aircraft, such as the Northrop F-5, Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, and Grumman KA-6D.
Can Tom Cruise Fly An F-18?
Unfortunately, no. Even though Tom Cruise performed many of the action scenes himself in Top Gun 2, he is not qualified to pilot a military aircraft, according to the U.S. Navy.
Was The F-22 Used In Maverick Top Gun?
The F-22 Raptor did not appear in Top Gun despite audience expectations. The filmmakers omitted this famous military aircraft as it did not fit the movie context set in the Navy. Additionally, its limited interior space prevents filming spectacular footage from inside the co*ckpit.
Why Didn’t They Fly The F-35 In Top Gun?
Similar to the F-22, filmmakers found it impossible to shoot from inside the F-35’s co*ckpit because of its single-seat design.
Conclusion
Does Tom Cruise own a fighter jet? Undoubtedly, YES. It is impossible to confirm the exact number of luxurious aircraft and fighter jets that Tom Cruise owns unless you break into his private hangar in Burbank.
Regardless, all of the gems listed above prove the wealth of this famous actor and his exceptional pilot skills. We will update this list as soon as we have the latest information. Stay tuned!
See more:
- What Motorcycle Does Maverick Ride in Top Gun 1 & 2?
- Did Helen Keller Fly A Plane On Her Own?
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