Russia's MiG-28 Fighter from Top Gun Is Actually Real: Meet the F-5

Summary and Key Points: In Top Gun (1986), the fictional MiG-28 aircraft is depicted as an adversary to U.S. Navy pilots, but it was actually a repainted Northrop F-5, a real-world fighter.

-Northrop developed the F-5 privately as a cost-effective, high-performance jet for air superiority and ground attack roles.

-Known for its nimble handling and fast climb rates, the F-5 had a top speed of Mach 1.63 and could carry a versatile array of weapons.

-Although its service history...