Hilton wrote:

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.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot? Over.
Didn't happen.

I also didn't
like the
way they portrayed Gus.

The book and the movie did Gus Grissom an incredible disservice.

I seem to remember hearing that Scott Crossfield
refused to work with them because of all the 'errors'.

I wouldn't be surprised at that at all - Gen. Yeager had definitely
bedazzled Wolfe and whoever adapted the book into the screenplay, and
he's never had too much good to say about Crossfield or too many of
the other NACA Test Pilots.

--
Pete Stickney
Java Man knew nothing about coffee.