TOM CRUISE blockbuster Top Gun has been voted the nation’s favourite aviation film in a poll by the National Museum of Flight.

In the survey carried out by the East Fortune attraction, almost a quarter of flight fans voted for the 1986 movie.

The tale of hot shot US Navy fighter pilot Maverick, starring Cruise and Kelly McGillis, just edged out Second World War classic The Dam Busters, which came second, on 23.1 per cent of the vote. Another Second World War film, The Battle of Britain, was third, with ten per cent.

The rest of the top ten was made up of Memphis Belle, comedy classic Airplane, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, 633 Squadron, Flight of the Phoenix, The Aviator and Firefox.

Amanda Jopling, general manager of the National Museum of Flight said: “It was a very close run thing between Top Gun and The Dam Busters but I think Tom Cruise’s box-office appeal won through in the end.

“I hope our survey will rekindle the excitement engendered by these movies and that as many people as possible will visit our museum to see the real thing in spectacular surroundings.” (Scotsman)