The monoplane back story was based on the events regarding the historical Fokker D.VIII which also suffered from structural weakness and caused at least one death. The aircraft eventually entered service on the 24th October 1918.
Bruno Stachel:
What are we celebrating?
Willi von Klugermann:
Your survival, of course, and your 10th victory. You're moving up fast, Stachel.
Bruno Stachel:
Too fast?
At approximately 1.35.33 Stachel and Heidemann are discussing the forthcoming flight. In the background a mechanic's hat flies off due to backwash from a propellor. He makes to grab it, looks at the camera, realises it is rolling, and stays in character.
It is believed that this film was at one time released in a 70 mm version (because of its six channel soundtrack), but this has never been confirmed.
English
$5,000,000 (estimated)