Tom wrote:

"I've read that Slick wanted a huge bundle of dough to test the X-1,
which is why Yeager, who was willing to do it for regular service pay,
got the job. "

Goodlin said that he asked for the amount he was contracted for--and an
extra amount, agreed upon by the other pilots, for the widow of a pilot
killed earlier in the testing. The scene in the movie was total
fiction, like many of the scenes in the movie.

I was amazed that Alan Shepard managed to come through the atmosphere 'sharp
side' down - we don't need no steekin' heat shield. I also didn't like the
way they portrayed Gus. I seem to remember hearing that Scott Crossfield
refused to work with them because of all the 'errors'. Having said all
that, my wife and I love the movie.

"Goes up like a cannonball and comes down like... a cannonball..."

FYI: Crossfield (my hero) refers to Yaeger as 'the famous author'. (pretty
funny when he says it)

Hilton