Trivia for
Flyboys (2006) More at IMDbPro »

• Filmmakers attempted to use lightweight reproductions of WWI aircraft, but grounded them after an accident.
  
  
• The first movie to motion capture planes.
  
  
• As no studios would back the film, a group of filmmakers and investors including producer 'Dean Devlin (I)' and (according to press-releases) "ace pilot" David Ellison, son of Oracle Corp. founder Larry Ellison, spent more than $60 million of their own money to make and market this film.
  
  
• The real Lafayette Escadrille actually had a pair of lion cubs as mascots. One was indeed named "Whiskey," as in the film. The other, appropriately enough, was named "Soda."
  
  
• The personal insignia of Reed Cassidy is an eagle's head surrounded by the words "Je Vois Tout" meaning "I see all".
  
  
• In the scene where the pilots are painting or having painted personalizations on the sides of their airplanes, Lyle Porter is painting a banner that reads "Timothy CH. IV V. 7". This is reference to a chapter and verse in the Book of Timothy in the Bible. There are TWO books of Timothy in the Bible, both having a chapter IV and verse 7. However, more than likely, this would be a reference to the SECOND book of Timothy, chapter IV, verse 7, which reads, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:", which might be something a very religious combat pilot might reference on the side of his combat airplane. That same-numbered chapter and verse in the FIRST book does not read anything like having to do with fighting or combat.
  
  
• Cassidy was mainly inspired by Raoul Lufbery, the leading flying ace of the Escadrille Squadron.
  
  
• The character of Skinner is based on the Escadrille-pilot Eugene Bullard, an American who has gone to France and worked as a boxer there. He was also a son of a slave, just like Skinner.
  
  
• James Franco earned his pilot's license in preparation for this film.
  
  

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