In 1982 Heater took the now iconic photo of his RIO and three wingmen over the South China Sea. Called “Tomcats on the Prowl,” a year later it inspired Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer, when he happened upon this photo in a magazine article in his dentist office, he exclaimed to his business partner Don Simpson, "This looks like Star Wars on Earth, this is our next movie!"

The photo was also the cover of Heatley’s wildly successful book, “The Cutting Edge,” selling over 500,000 copies and the inspiration to make the movie “Top Gun!”

You can find some of Heaters famous images right here at HeaterPix. of follow him on Instagram @heaterpix

Dave “Bio” Baranek is a former Topgun instructor and F-14 RIO who shares his experiences in Naval Aviation through exciting books including TopGun Days.

While serving as a Topgun air-to-air combat instructor in 1985, Bio had the unusual experience of flying aerial sequences used in the film “Top Gun”; starring Tom Cruise and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson. He also served as a dialogue advisor on the project and took some of the few available photographs of the movie & #39;s black F-5 fighters in flight portray in enemy “MiG-28” aircraft.

You can check out Bio’s website which is full of stories from his time flying in the F-14, grab one of the books he’s written or admire some of his photography. I’d also suggest you join the 11K followers on his TOPGUN DAYS Facebook page linked below.

Photo: David F. Brown

FaceBook: TOPGUN DAYS

Website: TOPGUNBIO

In 1986 Taco became a Marine Aviator flying KC130’s in Cherry Point NC, Okinawa Japan and Fort Worth TX in the Reserves.

With over 2k subscribers on his You Tube Channel, Tall Tales with Taco Bell, he has interviewed some of aviations greatest legends an we’re excited to have Taco moderating and filming our Q&A secession with Heater and Bio.