Top Gun CUNNINGHAM: I broke the law, concealed my conduct and disgraced my office.

Robert M. Gary wrote:
Gordon wrote:
Braggart
bull-headed
bully
pushy
self-centered

Sounds like he met the minimum quals for a great fighter pilot.


I'd disagree, Robert - I've known quite a few, had breakfast with
approximately 30 fighter and combat pilots this morning, and I can
honestly say that there is the smallest percentage that I'd discribe as
I did Cunningham. He takes the qualities of a fighter pilot and
discards the best of them, making a mockery of the work ethic,
dedication, and professionalism that exemplify the breed. A lot of
fighter pilots brag, primarily because they have something to brag
about. I think of Bud Anderson -- "Call me Andy, my friends do." --
described by Chuck Yeager as "the best fighter pilot". Anderson is
caring, quiet, introspective, self-effacing. None of the descriptors I
used for Cunningham would be remotely applicable to Col. Anderson.
Real fighter pilots have little in common with 'Maverick'; I remember
sitting in that movie with about a dozen other Navy flyers and the
concensus was that any "****BIRD" like him would be grounded and
drummed out. There are many things in that movie that made us laugh or
just shake our heads, but the whole speech by CAG about what a FU
Maverick was, but he still 'had' to send him to Top Gun was beyond
ludicrous. The real Maverick would have been sent TAD as a Supply
Officer or given command of a BEQ someplace. I watched (and
participated) in circumstances that ended poor Navy aviator's careers.
Maverick was a myth - Cunningham was a cautionary tale for why Mav
should remain a myth.

v/r
Gordon