@@jasonreed1631 not to mention he had the largest bounty on him from the Empire. He was feared throughout the TIE-Fighter Corps. He was also proficient in nearly any starfighter, or ship, the Alliance or Empire had to offer. He was personally handed command of Red Squadron by Luke himself.
And if you still count Legends (which I do) Wedge has the highest kill count in the galaxy! His kill silhouettes have to represent 12 kills each to fit them all!
@@razgriz501 Not including his SD kills which include at least 1 SSD. He advanced starfighter tactics more than anyone else, and was Wing Commander at the Battle of Kuat AND Bilbringi, if im not mistaken. Hell I think his kill silhouettes include Coruscant. He has been the most influential pilot since joining the Rebellion.
@@cptgofer1acb377 wedge was indeed instrumental in the capture of Coruscant. He led Rogue Squadron in a Black Ops style raid to bring down the planetary shields.
Wedge Antilles survived not one, but two Death Star runs without the advantages of either the Force or plot armour, and was the best pure pilot in the Rebel Alliance. He also somehow managed to time travel to become the uncle of Obi-wan Kenobi.
Dude, Wedge Antilles. Poe's great, but let's not forget the man with two death stars, the battle of Hoth (only pilot not shot down), and the training of the entire resistance fighter core (via the new republic) under his belt. Go into legends and it gets even better. Poe's an ace, sure. Wedge is a living legend!
It was Buck that rejected automated targeting system and turned the fight around against the Draconian attacks. Gotta give Wlma Dearing credit as well. Her only equals are Apollo and Sheba from the original BSG.
Agree with the rationale or not, he justified skipping Luke (the Force) and Han (Chewie as a co-pilot; also, not a fighter pilot). But there's no justification in this galaxy or the GFFA for choosing Dameron over Antilles. Poe took on a Dreadnaught? That's nice. Wedge Anitlles is the only pilot to survive two Death Star attack runs.
Where is Wedge Antilles? He flew a TIE interceptor with a Ewok puppet strapped to him, fought not 1 but 2 DEATHSTARS. Lead Rouge squadron after Luke Skywalker left. Foux damnedron couldn't fly a paperplane through a an empty room.
Only 1 starfighter pilot in the entire galaxy has 2 Death Stars on the side of his X-Wing. Wedge Antilles is the boogeyman every Imperial flight training officer used to scare his recruits. No Force, No Jedi, no mystic bullshit. He will just outfly you and there's not damned all you can do about it.
Ah yes, the Angriest Angel. Really, we need more than seven entries for this kind of list. They could fill out at least another two lists as Commenter Editions.
In Robotech there was a conversation among the Zentradi about a "secret weapon" possessed by The Micronians. It cut to Max (in line for a movie) sneezing..."I think someone's talking about me."
Moebius One, Blaze, Trigger, ace combat Col's o'Neil, Mitchell, and Sheppard. From stargate. Isamu Dyson Macross Plus. Wedge antilles, no force powers, lead two elite squadrons, only man to survive both death stars. And Joker from mass effect, sure shepherd went on galaxy saving missions but who do you think got him there. I mean he was the guy who came back from a mass relay that no ship came back from before.
Joker didn't count cause he was pilot of Frigate not Starfighter but I totally agreed that Lt. Jeff Moreau is one from the best pilot that humanity can offer. Hell I really wish I could see Antilles from Star Wars and Moreau from Mass Effect in one Squadron that would be the deadliest squadron in history of Sci-Fi !
Isamu Dyson was good but not on the level of Max Sterling. At best he was more like Roy Folker or Hikaru Ichijyo/Rick Hunter. Hell, even Max's children and grandchildren had flight skills better than Isamu although not the level of the parents/grandparents.
If we're going Ace Combat, we need to go Mihaly. Only Trigger (a PC) was capable of going head to head with him. Mihaly also trained the pilots that Moebius 1 went up against and probably quite a number of others.
If we are going to mention characters not central to SW lore, there's no better pilot than Jayna Solo - her combat kills oustripped Wedge Antilles, Ticho Celchu and Wes Jansen COMBINED.
@@sergioaccioly5219 Wedge Antilles not central to Star Wars lore? Better show more respect to the only fighter pilot in the galaxy to have two Death Star silhouettes on the the side their cockpit.
@@ronaldmcboggled9855 The Central SW lore characters are, in my view, Luke, Leia, Han and Lando (sorry Chewie. Sorry, artoo and threepio. Sorry Yoda, Obi Wan, Mace Windu, Anakin, Padme etc. - I've never wanted to be any of you when I grew up, and later on never felt that it'd be cool to hang out with you guys). All the others, including Ackbar, Thrawn, Ashoka (that might be an exception) et all, were secondary characters, since the Core SW story wasn't about them - again, apologies to the characters of the prequel and sequel trilogies, and most specially for the actor that gave them life. Wedge is a good character, well fleshed out in the books, but his stories in the SW universe were not the central ones - just like the Mandalorian isn't, right now. Din Djarin IS the central character of the Mandalorian, but not of SW. Hope Groku still is, btw. That said, yes, Wedge was the Alliance premier pilot for a generation, and still a great hero of the Alliance/ republic/ Galactic Alliance. But he had less screen time in three movies than Ackbar, probably, and less lines. Sorry. And about who's the best pilot, Wedge or Jaccomplishments
You spelled "Wedge Antilles" incorrectly, and you pronounced it like he didn't have any money. I'm just going to assume this was an oversight that was missed during editing. I love your #1 pick, though!
Where's the love for our boy O'Neill? He only hyperspace jumped inside the shields of Anubis' ship, and ejected from a fighter in vacuum without wearing a pressure suit.
Its probably because Poe has the most spectacular scenes (only because of technical limitations of OT) . But Wedge should be mention at least, he was in all 3 space battles in OT, in every one has major role.
When I clicked on this I was thinking "if Max Sterling isn't number one on this list, then the list is completely and objectively wrong". Gave a like then took it away so I could like it twice lol
Poe Dameron is just a discount wanna be Wedge Antillies. Wedge can and will fly circles around Poe. Wedge is the best pilot in the galaxy and should have been on this list!
@@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547 But, Wedge had a higher in-cockpit kill ratio, and was Force-Blind. In my eyes, that makes Wedge, not Anakin, the better pilot
@@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547 Anakin and Luke both had a lot of crashes. They were "good" pilots, but neither was as good as Wedge. Luke may have also been a better pilot than Anakin, although he didn't have as much spare to familiarize himself with as many ships. This is actually the reason for a few of his crashes; whereas Anakin was often just reckless.
Karl Franz , Emperor of Mankind, chosen of Sigmar Please, he was so plot armored there was not sense of risk. And when he was 10 he could just single handed take down capital ships? He was such a joke. Let’s try spinning.
@@gunz4450 That's true, but the life expectancy for a TIE pilot on campaign was so bad that it gives Macross a run for it's money on excessively disposable high-skill soldiers.
Yeah but you gotta admit, for all the dogfighting and video game skills, that has to be one of the shittiest knife fights ever. Also, that poor poor coffee pot.
What the Hell ??? American nothin' ...Hoban "Wash" Washburn Dammit !!from Serenity and Firefly ? He did the Crazy Ivan , damaged Serenity just enough to pass the Reavers and get to planet Miranda . He was a leaf on the wind , i watched him as he soarrrrr-urk...
He was a "leaf in the wind", but he was not a fighter pilot. Yes I loved the character and think that he was a great pilot... but not a fighter pilot. Then again I also do not think that the guy from Star Trek should be on the list either because of the same reasons.
Fly, fighting fair! Its the code! Of the Air! BROTHERS! HEROES! FOES! Killing machine, honor in the sky! B-17 flying home! Killing machine, said goodbye to the cross he deserved! Sabaton- No Bullets Fly, a song about the event you spoke off in the beginning.
35 years after SDF Macross, at the age of *51-53* and already a grandpa, Maximilian Genius flew into combat. When other fighters had to attack from outside of the atmosphere, he simply FTL about 1m above ground (which is extremely dangerous as one might crash into the ground when warping so close) in the middle of an ongoing battle, flew into a narrow straight cave, dodged all the automatic beam shots and missiles enemy force was pouring downrange, took out all enemy crafts in his path and singlehandedly accomplished the mission of delivering the Reaction missile. A 50+ "old man" (he looked like he was 30-ish) accomplished, by himself, what half a dozen younger aces in their prime, backed up by their squadrons, could not. You simply cannot outfly Max.
And then there's Zettai, taking place in 2067/68, where he's STILL flying circles around the best pilots & AI driven valks- and piloting capital ships like they're heavy fighters...
As much as I hate that wedge Antilles was left out of this list having max sterling at the top spot more than makes of for American bens “lack of vision”. 🤣
Filthy mutants with vile warp powers don't get to be on this list. Only pure, unsullied humans, untainted by the foul magics of aliens and daemons. AVE IMPERITOR!!!
Honorable mention: Lt. Colonel Raymond T. Butts from Space Above and Beyond. Because...pancakes and a self sacrificial space fight near a black hole to save the 58th.
COL John Shepherd (USAF) Stargate Atlantis. An F-302 pilot as well as a helicopter pilot he would be one of the few persons with the Ancient gene that allowed him to pilot the Ancients primary star fighter which were called Jumpers.
Coming up on number one and I am thinking "He teases me with Roy at the beginning, but where is the Focker love now? Then again, I would personally put Max above Roy or Rick." One second later, American Ben proves he knows his pilots.
When you referenced Han (YT series freighter), and included Peter Quill {M-class ship}, and Tom Paris (Delta Flyer Advanced Runabout/Family Camper) we were kinda breaking with the "fighter pilot" theme. So, I am VERY proud of you for not including Alex Kamal in this list. I love Alex and love me some Expanse, but I still can't speak Belter Creole. ::ahum:: ;) Awesome video, as always. Keep up the great work.
The most glaring omission here is Buck Rogers from the 1970’s “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” He could out fly and out dogfight anyone in space. He even flew a full-size starfighter through the celestial equivalent of a bobsled course, with as much or more accuracy as a trained astrosled pilot-and he did it in one try. An honorable mention would also have to go to Flash Gordon in his various incarnations, but especially the 1930’s and 40’s film serials. That man could take on an armada of dogfighting rockets all on his own.
Sadly none of the people from halo can compare to these legends. Noble 6 while he is very good he lacks the experience that all of these pilot have the saber program was experimental meaning not experienced and fo-hammer well she got her ass shot down
The drunk guy from independence day, I forget his name, he survived a massive furball while suffering from a raging hangover and took out a city sized alien saucer The fact that he died doing it is beside the point
Though only a few if only one can be considered sci-fi. (AC3) It's possible that they still wouldn't be included based of of that and the fact the protagonist pilots we play as aren't real characters. Just nameless, characterless avatars.
Jeff “Joker” Moreau. Killing shot against Sovereign. Killing shot against Collect Ship, followed by standing in the airlock door, without cover, firing an AR to cover Shepard’s escape, then flew out of the Collector Base following its destruction. Anything involving the events of Mass Effect 3 requiring deft flying skills. The player may control Shepard, but Joker is one pilot missing from this list. Also, BRING BACK MASS EFFECT WITHOUT EA!!!
@@MonkeyJedi99 While technically true, according to the Codex the fighting style of frigates is more akin to that of fighters and bombers than the one used by other capital vessels. I don't think he would be out of place in this list.
What about Lieutenant Christopher "Maverick" Blair from Wing Commander? It´s been an aweful long time since I last saw the movie. Certainly more than 15 years. But I remember that he apparently was really good.
Wedge Antilles is giving you so much stinkeye... Correct on Maximillian Jenius though- and you should see him in Macross 7, where he's still fucking enemies up 30+ years later.
If you want the best non force using pilot from Star Wars then get Wedge Antilles in there. He survived 2 Death Star runs, went up against heavily armed and armoured AT-ATs at Hoth in what can best described as the armoured jeep of the star wars universe and came out alive. Then if we delve into Legends there he takes on: a super star destroyer, 2 imperial star destroyers and a victory star destroyer, with only 2 squadrons of fighters along with an old republic era frigate for support with only one squadron of fighters having any anti capital ship weaponry. If that doesn't deserve him a spot then i don't know what should then. That certainly makes him more badass than Poe at least in my opinion
So here’s a fact that gets utterly ignored thanks to ROS: Poe Dameron was an Officer in the New Republic Navy before joining the Resistance. This is explained in the Poe Dameron Comic series that came out shortly after TFA
That fact is the proof that the New Canon Era never actually cared about making a coherent story. If they did care, that plot in ROS would have been left out. Even better, the Sequel Trilogy would have actually felt like it worked.
I'm glad you mentioned Max Sterling from Robotech when I was growing up that was my favorite cartoon I've got all the DVDs all the novels almost every comic book I can get my hands on I love Robotech
I have some issues with some on the list, but Max and Starbuck at 1/2 get a thumbs up from me. Max was not only a fearsome pilot, but he eventually became a fearsome ship commander in Macross 7.
Stringfellow Hawke. The name alone should get him an honorable mention. Also, Christopher "Maverick" Blair from the Wing Commander franchise (not just the movie).
Frack, if Blair is in the running, he gets first place automatically. How many pilots destroyed a planet, stopped a war and prevented another, this one while fighting off (slaughtering, realistically speaking) genetically engineered super pilots? Only Luke Skywalker has a better resume.
All the love for Wedge Antilles misses one other fantastic accomplishments of his that overshadowed all others… *He stayed away from the sequels.* Okay he had a bit in TROS, but he managed to stay out of the main plot and dialogue. Even Han had to endure the flaming mess of a storyline and mediocre character writing. Wedge just did a flyby hit and run, his reputation left unsullied.
Three suggestions for a Commenter Edition follow-up, and doing my best to keep it to one entry per franchise... *Mobius One,* Independent States Allied Forces Air Force, _Ace Combat 4:_ Single-handedly turns a continent-spanning war around. Develops such a legendary reputation that enemy units begin panicking (and, occasionally, throwing down arms and surrendering) when they hear the 'Ribbon Fighter' is in their area. Stated to be the equivalent of multiple squadrons of other pilots, has taken down multiple globe-threatening superweapons, and at one point was sent to put down an entire rebellion by himself. *1st Lieutenant Rei Fukai,* Special Air Force, _Yukikaze:_ A grim misanthrope toward everyone except his beloved fighter. Defends humanity from forward operating bases on our first off-world colony against a bizarre alien enemy that opened a wormhole to Earth over Antarctica. Builds such a bond with his aircraft that the aliens - who may or may not be an alien nanomachine hive-mind that made up the entire alien planet and can create pocket dimensions at will - take an interest in him and his plane personally. *Flight Lieutenant Jeff 'Joker' Moreau,* Human Systems Alliance, _Mass Effect:_ As cool as the SR-1 and -2 _Normandy_ are, they're still just frigates: the smallest capital ships in the fleet. In the hands of Joker (and, later, helped by his hot AI waifu EDI), though, he snakes the _Normandy_ through planetary defense grids, pops Collector warships like balloons, and leads the charge to take down ancient mile-long Reaper dreadnoughts that have more in common with C'thulhu than they do with battleships. Not bad for a kid with glass bones. Edit because I don't pay attention: Joker isn't a fighter pilot. Still a hot hand, so I'll keep him there, but for three _fighter_ pilots... *Colonel T. C. McQueen,* United States Marine Corps, _Space: Above and Beyond:_ the most skilled fighter pilot on the towering carrier USS _Saratoga_ and a serious student of military history. He spends most of the first season in a non-flight role, having been grounded due to inner ear injuries as the sole survivor of his elite fighter wing, the Angry Angels. He rides again, though, at great personal cost when the _Saratoga's_ other pilots prove unable to take down a particularly skilled alien fighter despite odds of dozens to one. This enemy ace is skilled enough to stubbornly hold up the human fleet's advance to a target planet, prompting McQueen to have his inner ear implant removed (it apparently interferes with flying), relearn basic balance painfully from scratch, and saddle up to avenge his fallen wingmen. Hoo-rah, marine.
I think you shouldn't discount Stringfellow Hawke! With Airwolf being a super advanced piece of machinery, String definitely had the balls to take on the type of missions that no one else would even touch! Whether he was suicidal or just plain insane, there was no denying that he was that damn good!!!!
Wait...Poe? Pfft Poe wouldn't be fit to lick the boots of Wedge Antilles.
Wedge Antilles, the only pilot to survive both deathstar runs seems far more appropriate than Poe.
@@jasonreed1631 not to mention he had the largest bounty on him from the Empire. He was feared throughout the TIE-Fighter Corps. He was also proficient in nearly any starfighter, or ship, the Alliance or Empire had to offer. He was personally handed command of Red Squadron by Luke himself.
And if you still count Legends (which I do) Wedge has the highest kill count in the galaxy! His kill silhouettes have to represent 12 kills each to fit them all!
@@razgriz501 Not including his SD kills which include at least 1 SSD. He advanced starfighter tactics more than anyone else, and was Wing Commander at the Battle of Kuat AND Bilbringi, if im not mistaken. Hell I think his kill silhouettes include Coruscant. He has been the most influential pilot since joining the Rebellion.
@@cptgofer1acb377 wedge was indeed instrumental in the capture of Coruscant. He led Rogue Squadron in a Black Ops style raid to bring down the planetary shields.
Wedge Antilles survived not one, but two Death Star runs without the advantages of either the Force or plot armour, and was the best pure pilot in the Rebel Alliance.
He also somehow managed to time travel to become the uncle of Obi-wan Kenobi.
There's a larger Wedge rant above. yer not alone.
Poe's Maverick, Wedge is Iceman.
Dude, Wedge Antilles. Poe's great, but let's not forget the man with two death stars, the battle of Hoth (only pilot not shot down), and the training of the entire resistance fighter core (via the new republic) under his belt. Go into legends and it gets even better. Poe's an ace, sure. Wedge is a living legend!
and more importantly.. not writen like a total cheat shoting down TIEs in a ludicrous way
Only one not shot down on screen. Hobie and Dash Rendar (according to Shadows Of The Empire he was flying with the Rogues) weren't either.
I feel you missed Buck Rodgers.
500 years out of time and yet could annihilate entire squadrons single handedly.
You haz point
And Hawk from Buck Rodgers the half bird half man
beedlybeedlybeedly
It was Buck that rejected automated targeting system and turned the fight around against the Draconian attacks.
Gotta give Wlma Dearing credit as well. Her only equals are Apollo and Sheba from the original BSG.
@@danielmahoney1546 Wlma Dearing is only eye candy, Buck kept saving her ass in every fight scene and Didn't banged her for it.
That moment when you pick Poe Dameron over Luke Skywalker, Han Solo or Wedge Antilles over being a better pilot.
Pretty sure you lost me there...
Agree with the rationale or not, he justified skipping Luke (the Force) and Han (Chewie as a co-pilot; also, not a fighter pilot). But there's no justification in this galaxy or the GFFA for choosing Dameron over Antilles. Poe took on a Dreadnaught? That's nice. Wedge Anitlles is the only pilot to survive two Death Star attack runs.
@@Bad_Wolf_Media Agreed, 100%. That said, I did enjoy his jab at the evil Holdo...
Especially since Poe isn't even from a real movie. He's just a cringe OC from a pre-adolescent fanfic which somehow blundered into production.
Where is Wedge Antilles? He flew a TIE interceptor with a Ewok puppet strapped to him, fought not 1 but 2 DEATHSTARS. Lead Rouge squadron after Luke Skywalker left. Foux damnedron couldn't fly a paperplane through a an empty room.
Wedge also commanded a Super Star Destroyer, the one he helped capture, the Lusankya
Yub Yub Commander
Only 1 starfighter pilot in the entire galaxy has 2 Death Stars on the side of his X-Wing. Wedge Antilles is the boogeyman every Imperial flight training officer used to scare his recruits. No Force, No Jedi, no mystic bullshit. He will just outfly you and there's not damned all you can do about it.
Yeah, where's Wedge?
Lt. Col. T.C. McQueen from Space: Above and Beyond is missing.
Ah yes, the Angriest Angel. Really, we need more than seven entries for this kind of list. They could fill out at least another two lists as Commenter Editions.
@Ron Lewenberg *cough*humanityfirst*cough*
I was about to add McQueen myself. Good call.
@Ron Lewenberg Don't know much about the Wing Commander universe, but I'll take your word for it!
So, I wasn't dreaming. That show did exist.
OH YES Maximilian Jenius
. Being a Macross fan, I still remember as a kid how in awe I was when watching him fly in combat
In Robotech there was a conversation among the Zentradi about a "secret weapon" possessed by The Micronians.
It cut to Max (in line for a movie) sneezing..."I think someone's talking about me."
I was about to be pissed at this list...then #1 made it ok.
@@JohnOSpencer I was warming up with a list...then he mentioned Roy Fokker.
I fully support this list. Named my kid after Max Sterling.
You're wrong! If you include sci fi novels # 1 is Wedge Antilles, commander of Rogue Squadron.
Moebius One, Blaze, Trigger, ace combat
Col's o'Neil, Mitchell, and Sheppard. From stargate.
Isamu Dyson Macross Plus.
Wedge antilles, no force powers, lead two elite squadrons, only man to survive both death stars.
And Joker from mass effect, sure shepherd went on galaxy saving missions but who do you think got him there. I mean he was the guy who came back from a mass relay that no ship came back from before.
Bro I know you didn’t name all the Ace Combat pilots except CIPHER AND PIXY
I don't think player characters are allowed for lists like this.
Joker didn't count cause he was pilot of Frigate not Starfighter but I totally agreed that Lt. Jeff Moreau is one from the best pilot that humanity can offer. Hell I really wish I could see Antilles from Star Wars and Moreau from Mass Effect in one Squadron that would be the deadliest squadron in history of Sci-Fi !
Isamu Dyson was good but not on the level of Max Sterling. At best he was more like Roy Folker or Hikaru Ichijyo/Rick Hunter. Hell, even Max's children and grandchildren had flight skills better than Isamu although not the level of the parents/grandparents.
If we're going Ace Combat, we need to go Mihaly. Only Trigger (a PC) was capable of going head to head with him. Mihaly also trained the pilots that Moebius 1 went up against and probably quite a number of others.
What about my boy WEDGE ANTILLES, HERO OF THE REBELLION!
If we are going to mention characters not central to SW lore, there's no better pilot than Jayna Solo - her combat kills oustripped Wedge Antilles, Ticho Celchu and Wes Jansen COMBINED.
@@sergioaccioly5219 Wedge Antilles not central to Star Wars lore? Better show more respect to the only fighter pilot in the galaxy to have two Death Star silhouettes on the the side their cockpit.
@@ronaldmcboggled9855 The Central SW lore characters are, in my view, Luke, Leia, Han and Lando (sorry Chewie. Sorry, artoo and threepio. Sorry Yoda, Obi Wan, Mace Windu, Anakin, Padme etc. - I've never wanted to be any of you when I grew up, and later on never felt that it'd be cool to hang out with you guys). All the others, including Ackbar, Thrawn, Ashoka (that might be an exception) et all, were secondary characters, since the Core SW story wasn't about them - again, apologies to the characters of the prequel and sequel trilogies, and most specially for the actor that gave them life.
Wedge is a good character, well fleshed out in the books, but his stories in the SW universe were not the central ones - just like the Mandalorian isn't, right now. Din Djarin IS the central character of the Mandalorian, but not of SW. Hope Groku still is, btw.
That said, yes, Wedge was the Alliance premier pilot for a generation, and still a great hero of the Alliance/ republic/ Galactic Alliance. But he had less screen time in three movies than Ackbar, probably, and less lines. Sorry.
And about who's the best pilot, Wedge or Jaccomplishments
You spelled "Wedge Antilles" incorrectly, and you pronounced it like he didn't have any money. I'm just going to assume this was an oversight that was missed during editing. I love your #1 pick, though!
Omg you habe me laughing
Where's the love for our boy O'Neill? He only hyperspace jumped inside the shields of Anubis' ship, and ejected from a fighter in vacuum without wearing a pressure suit.
Yes, thank you!!!
Not to mention that was in a brand new fighter flying in a vacuum for the first time.
where can I find this person?
and flew a F-302 with a stargate that was about to go boom strapped to his plane....
And O'Neill wasn't the only one that can outmatch everybody on the lost
Hey why isn’t Wedge Antilles not on this list He can pilot Stealth X without sensors to help him
Poe? Really? Wedge would fly rings around that wannabe.
Sooo true
I'd take any of the classic Rogues over Poe. Celchu, Janson, Hobbie, Darklighter... Take your pick.
Jiggy Von Rictoven was no match
Its probably because Poe has the most spectacular scenes (only because of technical limitations of OT) .
But Wedge should be mention at least, he was in all 3 space battles in OT, in every one has major role.
@@kazegakun Dont forget Corran Horn.
When I clicked on this I was thinking "if Max Sterling isn't number one on this list, then the list is completely and objectively wrong". Gave a like then took it away so I could like it twice lol
His name is Max Genius. Who the hell uses the names Harmony Mold gave them.
@@wolfheartdarnell324 people who watched Robotech first
@@wolfheartdarnell324 His name is Max(imillian) JENIUS. Get it right now...
LMFAO, I thought exactly the same thing.
@@Thornbloom is there any other way, Robotech should be first unless... you weren't born yet when it came to syndication
Poe Dameron is just a discount wanna be Wedge Antillies. Wedge can and will fly circles around Poe. Wedge is the best pilot in the galaxy and should have been on this list!
Arguably it's Anakin Skywalker because he was very skilled and had the advantage of some of the best precognition in star wars History
@@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547 But, Wedge had a higher in-cockpit kill ratio, and was Force-Blind. In my eyes, that makes Wedge, not Anakin, the better pilot
@@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547 #1 Most crashes walked away from.
@@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547 Anakin and Luke both had a lot of crashes. They were "good" pilots, but neither was as good as Wedge.
Luke may have also been a better pilot than Anakin, although he didn't have as much spare to familiarize himself with as many ships. This is actually the reason for a few of his crashes; whereas Anakin was often just reckless.
Karl Franz , Emperor of Mankind, chosen of Sigmar Please, he was so plot armored there was not sense of risk. And when he was 10 he could just single handed take down capital ships? He was such a joke. Let’s try spinning.
Generation Films: " Poe Dameron is the best pilot in the galaxy"
Anakin Skywalker: am I a joke to you?
Yes, Emo space boy number 1 is a joke to me.
@@davidlink3787 an EMO maybe .... but the damn best pilot in the galaxy! And also a but.... he was enhanced by the force. Poe and Wedge not.
Maximilian Jenius: Climbs into the cockpit of his VF-1A not hearing the question over the sounds of how awesome he is
he has the force, the license to do everything better
Lol that's what i was thinking
Han solo flew TIE fighters in combat and lived to never bring it up in conversation.
(and that was without his wookie.)
Most fighter pilots can make a fighter perform, takes real talent to do it in a freighter. Wookiee copilot or not.
@@gunz4450 That's true, but the life expectancy for a TIE pilot on campaign was so bad that it gives Macross a run for it's money on excessively disposable high-skill soldiers.
That's true. I'll give you that one.
Where’s wedge antilles
Max is so good he stopped a war by seducing the enemies best pilot through skill alone
Max?
If you throw it up on the chalkboard. The man is correct
Not only that but he and his wife conquered bases by them selfs
Yeah but you gotta admit, for all the dogfighting and video game skills, that has to be one of the shittiest knife fights ever. Also, that poor poor coffee pot.
Perfect choice for Max Stirling. +1,000 points. -500 for Poe instead of Wedge.
Where's Wedge?
What no love for Buck Rodgers? Wilma Dering flash gorden?
My name is Buck, and I'm here to...
Buck, Wilma, Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer, Sheba, Athena. Brie....
CAIN....
Flying chariots are not fighter jets. just sayin... Seriously what would the bird people be then? EVA suits?
Max Sterling. Perfect choice. A true fighter jet ace.
What the Hell ??? American nothin' ...Hoban "Wash" Washburn Dammit !!from Serenity and Firefly ? He did the Crazy Ivan , damaged Serenity just enough to pass the Reavers and get to planet Miranda . He was a leaf on the wind , i watched him as he soarrrrr-urk...
He was great pilot but the serenity was not a fighter
still too soon :( lol
He was a "leaf in the wind", but he was not a fighter pilot.
Yes I loved the character and think that he was a great pilot... but not a fighter pilot.
Then again I also do not think that the guy from Star Trek should be on the list either because of the same reasons.
Wash as well as Alex from the expanse deserve plenty of love, but they fly in a different weight class of ship.
he ded
No Jack O'Neill or Cameron Mitchell in the F302? For Shame
Or John Sheridan for the F-302 AND the Puddle Jumper? No Wedge Antilles? No Col T.C. McQueen? For shame on this list, for shame!!
@@seanmcgrath3826 I think you meant col John Shepherd, John Sheridan was Babylon 5 and he wasn't really the pilot. Easy mistake to make though
@@robkemp598 John Sheridan was a great Starfury pilot though.
I see you used Roy Fokker in the beginning.
Also Pineapple Salad.
I'd go Max Sterling over Roy but that's just me.
edit: I guess it's not just me, hahaha
@@wingracer1614 Max is flashy. Roy is clean and efficient.
Even Fokker admitted Max was like nothing he had ever seen if you read the novelization.
@@barrybend7189 Max was still blowing people away from the Cockpit 30 years after Space War One; Roy... was not.
Man, just hearing pineapple salad makes me sad. Too soon. And Roy was the better CAG, but Max was the better pilot, even if just.
No Wedge?
As someone who fixes aircrafts and deals with pilots on the daily, please for the love of Satan... Do not inflate their egos any more...
My uncle is a helicopter mechanic for the US Army and he says the same thing😂😂
As if that were possible.
My plane better be fix in 6.9 minutes or it's a maintenance CX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The military: Where a high school diploma fixes what a college degree fucked up.
@@battledwarf4294Tell your uncle "My plane better be fixed in the next 6.9 mins or its a maintenance CX!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Wedge fought two superweapons to Poe's one. Wedge wins.
Fly, fighting fair!
Its the code! Of the Air!
BROTHERS! HEROES! FOES!
Killing machine, honor in the sky!
B-17 flying home!
Killing machine, said goodbye to the cross he deserved!
Sabaton- No Bullets Fly, a song about the event you spoke off in the beginning.
Searched the comments for this very comment to give it a like.
Great song, fit well in theme of beginning of the film
Bravo! I knew someone would have posted this ahead of me.
I am surprised Ben didn't mention the song.
35 years after SDF Macross, at the age of *51-53* and already a grandpa, Maximilian Genius flew into combat. When other fighters had to attack from outside of the atmosphere, he simply FTL about 1m above ground (which is extremely dangerous as one might crash into the ground when warping so close) in the middle of an ongoing battle, flew into a narrow straight cave, dodged all the automatic beam shots and missiles enemy force was pouring downrange, took out all enemy crafts in his path and singlehandedly accomplished the mission of delivering the Reaction missile.
A 50+ "old man" (he looked like he was 30-ish) accomplished, by himself, what half a dozen younger aces in their prime, backed up by their squadrons, could not. You simply cannot outfly Max.
And then there's Zettai, taking place in 2067/68, where he's STILL flying circles around the best pilots & AI driven valks- and piloting capital ships like they're heavy fighters...
Jack O'Neill is missing from this list
From the Stargate Universe, I would place John Sheppard as a better pilot than Jack O'Neill.
YES! I WAS LITERALLY CHANTING MAX STERLING THROUGH THE WHOLE VIDEO! I'm smiling here! Robotech/Macross!
As much as I hate that wedge Antilles was left out of this list having max sterling at the top spot more than makes of for American bens “lack of vision”. 🤣
Wedge Antillies .....add the rogue squadron books to your list
Anakin: isn't on the list
Me: This is outrageous, it's unfair
Try spinning that's a good trick 😉
Filthy mutants with vile warp powers don't get to be on this list. Only pure, unsullied humans, untainted by the foul magics of aliens and daemons. AVE IMPERITOR!!!
@@weldonwin Well said brother... The Emperor protects!
Now this! Is podracing!
Yippie!!!
@@rodneypayne4827 But a loaded bolter doesn't hurt.
A frigging cartoon over Col. McQueen. An "Angry Angel"? Are you KIDDING ME????
Honorable mention: Lt. Colonel Raymond T. Butts from Space Above and Beyond. Because...pancakes and a self sacrificial space fight near a black hole to save the 58th.
That, and probably the only man to walk away from pissing off McQueen - and apparently gaining some respect from him as he did.
Wedge Antilles. Only pilot to survive TWO Death Star attacks!
The Hawk of Endymion. The man known for making the impossible possible. Mu La Flaga
The only fighter pilot to have not one, but multiple kills against mobile suits, and repeatedly survive combat with an enemy super ace.
Boooom!
Yes, Max Stirling for the win!
Was worried when you name dropped Roy Fokker, rest in peace, Roy, but Max was the very best.
What about 58th Squadron the Wild Cards and their Commander LTC Tyrus Cassius "T.C." McQueen
Darth Vader should be on the list as well, i think.
I think he and Luke were not on the list due to their Force abilities.
@@MotoroidARFC i guess but their access to the force is still part of their abilities
No, wedge should be
COL John Shepherd (USAF) Stargate Atlantis. An F-302 pilot as well as a helicopter pilot he would be one of the few persons with the Ancient gene that allowed him to pilot the Ancients primary star fighter which were called Jumpers.
Col. T.C. McQueen. Can we get some SAAB love?!
Literally prepared myself to protest about you not including Max Jenius (Sterling in Robotech) until I got to the end. Then I squeed.
I was expecting to see Col Christopher “Maverick” Blair from Wing Commander
nah, he just had luck on this bombing run on kilrah. We both now, that Maniac is the true top gun
Coming up on number one and I am thinking "He teases me with Roy at the beginning, but where is the Focker love now? Then again, I would personally put Max above Roy or Rick." One second later, American Ben proves he knows his pilots.
When you referenced Han (YT series freighter), and included Peter Quill {M-class ship}, and Tom Paris (Delta Flyer Advanced Runabout/Family Camper) we were kinda breaking with the "fighter pilot" theme. So, I am VERY proud of you for not including Alex Kamal in this list. I love Alex and love me some Expanse, but I still can't speak Belter Creole. ::ahum::
;)
Awesome video, as always. Keep up the great work.
I know he ‘technically’ doesn’t count, but how about Russell Casse from “Independence Day”? Just for the sheer brass balls.
"Hello Boys! I'm Baaaaack"
Ian Carnel Yesss!!!!
The most glaring omission here is Buck Rogers from the 1970’s “Buck Rogers in the 25th Century.” He could out fly and out dogfight anyone in space. He even flew a full-size starfighter through the celestial equivalent of a bobsled course, with as much or more accuracy as a trained astrosled pilot-and he did it in one try.
An honorable mention would also have to go to Flash Gordon in his various incarnations, but especially the 1930’s and 40’s film serials. That man could take on an armada of dogfighting rockets all on his own.
Have you ever played Halo Reach? Where’s Noble Six?
Or Foe Hammer?
Sadly none of the people from halo can compare to these legends. Noble 6 while he is very good he lacks the experience that all of these pilot have the saber program was experimental meaning not experienced and fo-hammer well she got her ass shot down
This gets a huge like from me for the last starfighter mention. One of my all time favorite movies.
Max was the Truth!!!!!! Roy was my favorite!!! But Max was #1
Exactly.
Roy was the commander, Max was content to just be the best pilot he could be.
Starbuck also helped in designing a stealth viper and she flew it if I remember.
Nope. The chief designed and built the blackbird
The drunk guy from independence day, I forget his name, he survived a massive furball while suffering from a raging hangover and took out a city sized alien saucer
The fact that he died doing it is beside the point
You guys forgot about Isamu Dyson in Macross Plus. He made that YF-19 dance.
No Wedge Antillies?! Took on not 1 but 2 Death Stars and LIVED. He should of been at least number 2.
I wish Ace Combat was an extremely famous franchise so it could have movies and animes and be in this video.
Though only a few if only one can be considered sci-fi. (AC3)
It's possible that they still wouldn't be included based of of that and the fact the protagonist pilots we play as aren't real characters. Just nameless, characterless avatars.
You could have squeezed in Cheryl Tunt from Archer. She hated flying and bitched every time she had to do it but was really good at it.
Robotech for the win! But what about Wedge Antilles from A New Hope?
Very excited about your 1 through 4 choices! Thank you!
Jeff “Joker” Moreau.
Killing shot against Sovereign.
Killing shot against Collect Ship, followed by standing in the airlock door, without cover, firing an AR to cover Shepard’s escape, then flew out of the Collector Base following its destruction.
Anything involving the events of Mass Effect 3 requiring deft flying skills.
The player may control Shepard, but Joker is one pilot missing from this list.
Also, BRING BACK MASS EFFECT WITHOUT EA!!!
Neither Normandy was a fighter. That's the reason, I believe.
@@MonkeyJedi99 While technically true, according to the Codex the fighting style of frigates is more akin to that of fighters and bombers than the one used by other capital vessels. I don't think he would be out of place in this list.
Please make a video on the Principality of Zeon
I would like to see that. Characters like Chat Aznable seem prime candidates for exploration.
What about Lieutenant Christopher "Maverick" Blair from Wing Commander? It´s been an aweful long time since I last saw the movie. Certainly more than 15 years. But I remember that he apparently was really good.
Wedge Antilles is giving you so much stinkeye...
Correct on Maximillian Jenius though- and you should see him in Macross 7, where he's still fucking enemies up 30+ years later.
heck his granddaughter is as well in Macross Delta
@@MrLexxBomb And even though she wasn't getting a kill count, Mylene was a pretty solid pilot as well.
You forgot Alex Kamal from The Expanse. He could do an unpowered slingshot run right through enemy lines.
Thank you American Ben, didn't think you'd add cartoons and Max Sterling was my guess for #1.......still waiting for a Robotech movie
Steve Hiller never engaged in a space battle. That he flew into space and engaged in cyber warfare is irrelevant. He does not belong on this list.
Ace Rimmer. What a guy!
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast!
I'm sorry, but Starbuck was a MAN when the story was written
What, no Wedge Antilles? The only normal human to survive all three movies of the original Star Wars trilogy.
Did you ever see the short lived series "Space Above and Beyond"?
It's not a series American Been would show you...
If you want the best non force using pilot from Star Wars then get Wedge Antilles in there. He survived 2 Death Star runs, went up against heavily armed and armoured AT-ATs at Hoth in what can best described as the armoured jeep of the star wars universe and came out alive. Then if we delve into Legends there he takes on: a super star destroyer, 2 imperial star destroyers and a victory star destroyer, with only 2 squadrons of fighters along with an old republic era frigate for support with only one squadron of fighters having any anti capital ship weaponry. If that doesn't deserve him a spot then i don't know what should then. That certainly makes him more badass than Poe at least in my opinion
Stretching the SciFi ... Stringfellow Hawke - and falling out of SciFi altogether, Howling Mad Murdock who could fly ANYTHING
two words: Angriest Angel.
There are a lot of honorable mentions and all of them deserve to be on the list, damm humanity is blessed to have so many good pilots.
I agree with pick for number one but you have to remember what made him so good was that he could visualize in his mind what he wanted his craft to do
So here’s a fact that gets utterly ignored thanks to ROS: Poe Dameron was an Officer in the New Republic Navy before joining the Resistance. This is explained in the Poe Dameron Comic series that came out shortly after TFA
Which was subsequently ignored in the films entirely.
That fact is the proof that the New Canon Era never actually cared about making a coherent story. If they did care, that plot in ROS would have been left out. Even better, the Sequel Trilogy would have actually felt like it worked.
I love your nickname for Rick Hunter. Also, totally rad that you're showing some love for Robotech now! [Fist bump]
I'm glad you mentioned Max Sterling from Robotech when I was growing up that was my favorite cartoon I've got all the DVDs all the novels almost every comic book I can get my hands on I love Robotech
Hey i love this list and it's nice to see you are using macross more often.
I have some issues with some on the list, but Max and Starbuck at 1/2 get a thumbs up from me. Max was not only a fearsome pilot, but he eventually became a fearsome ship commander in Macross 7.
Rick Hunter better be on here. Also an honorable mention for an alternate current/scifi scene was Shin Kazama
McQueen.... the Angriest Angel ....
Holy crap. Multiple Macross references of late, and I approve. Max is the best pilot earth had to offer.
You know whose the best, who always gets left out - Max St... oh he’s number one?
Starbuck is a great pilot. But you picked the wrong starbuck. Dirk Benedict was the Starbuck worthy of epic tales.
Yes
That Last Starfighter reference tho.
True but grig was the RSO not the pilot. Yeah he knew more about the ship systems but Lance was the pilot and gunner.
Stringfellow Hawke. The name alone should get him an honorable mention. Also, Christopher "Maverick" Blair from the Wing Commander franchise (not just the movie).
Frack, if Blair is in the running, he gets first place automatically. How many pilots destroyed a planet, stopped a war and prevented another, this one while fighting off (slaughtering, realistically speaking) genetically engineered super pilots?
Only Luke Skywalker has a better resume.
The second Starbuck was good but I like the the orginal more.
Hawkman from Buck Rogers 25th Century should at-least be honorable mentioned.
Plus his spaceship was cool.
The pilot in series Buck couldn't beat.
All the love for Wedge Antilles misses one other fantastic accomplishments of his that overshadowed all others…
*He stayed away from the sequels.*
Okay he had a bit in TROS, but he managed to stay out of the main plot and dialogue. Even Han had to endure the flaming mess of a storyline and mediocre character writing.
Wedge just did a flyby hit and run, his reputation left unsullied.
Holup.... TROS and the other sequels had main plots? The hell? Where were these when I watched???
Hera Syndulla, Wedge Antilles, Luke Skywalker, Lee "Apollo" Adama, Sulu, Anakin Skywalker, Plo Koon, etc... ?
What about Ace? The Rimmer from Red Dwarf that had long hair, wore a gold jump suit, and played limbo with death on a daily basis...what a guy.
_Smoke me a kipper, I’ll be back for breakfast._
My top sf pilots:
Rei Fukai: Yukikaze (anime).
Isamu Dyson & Guld Bowman: Macross +(anime).
Hikaru Ichijyo & Roy Focker: Macross do you remember love(anime).
Brera Stern: Macross Frontier(anime).
Exceptional pilots:
Mihal Shilage: Ace comba 7 (video game).
The Professor: Sky crawlers(anime).
Three suggestions for a Commenter Edition follow-up, and doing my best to keep it to one entry per franchise...
*Mobius One,* Independent States Allied Forces Air Force, _Ace Combat 4:_ Single-handedly turns a continent-spanning war around. Develops such a legendary reputation that enemy units begin panicking (and, occasionally, throwing down arms and surrendering) when they hear the 'Ribbon Fighter' is in their area. Stated to be the equivalent of multiple squadrons of other pilots, has taken down multiple globe-threatening superweapons, and at one point was sent to put down an entire rebellion by himself.
*1st Lieutenant Rei Fukai,* Special Air Force, _Yukikaze:_ A grim misanthrope toward everyone except his beloved fighter. Defends humanity from forward operating bases on our first off-world colony against a bizarre alien enemy that opened a wormhole to Earth over Antarctica. Builds such a bond with his aircraft that the aliens - who may or may not be an alien nanomachine hive-mind that made up the entire alien planet and can create pocket dimensions at will - take an interest in him and his plane personally.
*Flight Lieutenant Jeff 'Joker' Moreau,* Human Systems Alliance, _Mass Effect:_ As cool as the SR-1 and -2 _Normandy_ are, they're still just frigates: the smallest capital ships in the fleet. In the hands of Joker (and, later, helped by his hot AI waifu EDI), though, he snakes the _Normandy_ through planetary defense grids, pops Collector warships like balloons, and leads the charge to take down ancient mile-long Reaper dreadnoughts that have more in common with C'thulhu than they do with battleships. Not bad for a kid with glass bones.
Edit because I don't pay attention: Joker isn't a fighter pilot. Still a hot hand, so I'll keep him there, but for three _fighter_ pilots...
*Colonel T. C. McQueen,* United States Marine Corps, _Space: Above and Beyond:_ the most skilled fighter pilot on the towering carrier USS _Saratoga_ and a serious student of military history. He spends most of the first season in a non-flight role, having been grounded due to inner ear injuries as the sole survivor of his elite fighter wing, the Angry Angels. He rides again, though, at great personal cost when the _Saratoga's_ other pilots prove unable to take down a particularly skilled alien fighter despite odds of dozens to one. This enemy ace is skilled enough to stubbornly hold up the human fleet's advance to a target planet, prompting McQueen to have his inner ear implant removed (it apparently interferes with flying), relearn basic balance painfully from scratch, and saddle up to avenge his fallen wingmen. Hoo-rah, marine.
I think you shouldn't discount Stringfellow Hawke! With Airwolf being a super advanced piece of machinery, String definitely had the balls to take on the type of missions that no one else would even touch! Whether he was suicidal or just plain insane, there was no denying that he was that damn good!!!!
Holy Shit.. Max finally gets some well deserved Props.. its about time. Good job for recognizing greatness when you see it.