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Okay on maneuverability.

Ah.

Terminal velocity next.

Start the dive at 40,000.
Make the pull-out at 15.

Calling JA3.

Calling JA3.

Last test.

Terminal velocity.

Level off at 40,000.

Drop your dive brakes.

And pull-out at 15.

Thirty-four thousand.

'Thirty-six.'

'Forty.'

'Thirty-one.'

Twenty-two.

Seventeen.

Fifteen.

- Well, sir?
- I'm satisfied.

- General?
- An excellent showing.

Well, that's it, Willis.

Your plane has passed
the qualification
test.

Give me that.

Matt, we made it.

Come on down.
I'll buy you a drink.

He's climbing again, sir.
25,000 feet.

Brennan, can you hear me?

- Where is Matt?
- Just finished the test.

Make him come down.

I just found out of the plan.
He'll kill himself.

Don't let him do it, general.
Please!

Who ordered him to do this?

- Is this true, Bostwick?
- He ordered it himself.

He didn't want you
to know about it.

39,000 and still climbing, sir.

Brennan, do you hear?
Bring that plane down

or you'll never fly again!

How do you want it, Willis?

The easy way or the hard way?

'I don't want any more
tests.'

'Understand, Brennan?
No more tests.'

Okay, Willis. The hard way.

The hard way.

For Matt Brennan, the only way.

In the air or on the ground..

Today or yesterday..

In another kind of a plane
or another kind of a
field..

This is Bassingbourn
airdrome in England.

The time, 1943.

The year of the B-17s

the flying fortresses
were being shot to pieces

over hapless Europe.

Major Brennan?
The Colonel wants you, sir.

Major Brennan, Mr. Troxell.

- Howdy?
- Hello.

According to these,
he knows all there is to know

about a B-17.

Oh?

Major Brennan's flown
more missions

than anybody on his heel.

- How many, major?
- Twenty-four.

Only one more, then?

There is always one more.

You've told me often enough
what you think

of this man's airplane, Matt.

Now tell him.

You build 17's, Mr. Troxell?

- I help.
- You're proud of it, huh?

I think it's the finest
ship
in the air today.

You think? Runaway props

at less than 10
degrees
Fahrenheit.

At 15,000 feet,
my heat control goes
phooey!

There's a short every time
a 20 mm shell bounces off
it.

Wait a minute. Whether
you know it or not, major

the plane you've been flying
has been tested

in every conceivable manner.

What did you test the
electrical
equipment with? BB shots?

The Germans are pumping
big stuff at us.

One slug and my wheels are down,
waving at the enemy.

I lose 25 mph air speed.

And I can't shoot
from my lower
turret.

We are suckers for
anything
coming at us head on.

That should give you
a rough idea, Mr. Troxell.

Now, what's the answer?

The electrical system
has already been improved.

You'll find that
as the new ships come through.

For the rest,
atmospheric conditions

over Europe seem to be
the cause of the trouble.

These I'll have to
check into myself.

Did I hear you right, mister?

Do you want to fly
a hot mission over Germany?

- That's first step, isn't
it?
- You're in luck.

We're alerted tomorrow morning
at 0600.

I'll see you at the field.

Thank you, colonel.

Pilot to crew.

Altitude 10,000.
Put on your mask.

I suggest you do the same thing.

- Give me 2,300.
- Aye.

Cylinder head temperature?

Okay.

The anchor bolts?

Okay on the right.

Okay on the left wing too.

Pilot to crew. Let's not have

any frozen guns this trip.
Check 'em.

Pilot to crew.
Approaching target
area.

Keep your eyes peeled, boys.

Navigator to pilot.

'Navigator to pilot.
Entering bomb run.'

Pilot to bombardier.
She's all yours, Mitch.

'Bomb bay doors coming open.'

Bombs away.

'Fighters coming in.
8 o'clock high.'

- '12 fighters at 10
o'clock.'
- Pick 'em up, Chuck.

'Got 'em! Another group
coming in at 2 o'clock.'

Chuck, get that bird
at 12 o'clock.

I wanna go home!

'What's the plane
off our right wing?'

'It's got flame
coming out of its tail!'

'Hey, that's a new one.
What is it? A robot?'

- Holy smoke!
- What was that?

'I don't know what it was, but
it got our number two engine.'

Feathering number two prop.

'Here it comes again!'

'It's turning!'

'This time it got
our number four engine.'

Feathering number four prop.

Clouds ahead. We're going in.

Maybe we can lose him.

Anybody know what it was
that hit us?

'A guided missile, wasn't
it?'

'Guided missile, nothing.
It had wings.'

That was tomorrow going by.
That was an airplane.

'Airplane? Where was the prop?'

- 'Where say the engine?'
- No engine. No prop.

That was powered by jets
or by rockets.

'But Buck Rogers is supposed
to be on our side, mister.'

'Did they have to save that
for our last flight?'

Quit yelling on the intercom.

But the axis,
they're not working.

Don't tell me.
Tell Mr. B-17 behind you.

We're coming out in the
open.
Watch for fighters.

'Pilot to navigator.'

'What's the heading
for Bassingbourn?'

Navigator to pilot.

'It's 23 minutes
to Bassingbourn.'

'We'll be over Bromwich in two.'

You're growing soft,
Chuck.
Bromwich is the easy way.

But the landing gear
won't extend, chief.

Bromwich is a designated
crash landing field.

Well, what do you say, Troxell?

Bromwich or Bassingbourn?

The easy way or the hard way?

The easy way.

Looks like I got
more faith in this
airplane

than Mr. Troxell has.

Chuck, give me
the heading for
Bassingbourn.

Oh, Mr. Troxell, your notebook.

Come in.

They told me
I'd find an empty bunk in
here.

Oh...yeah.

Help yourself. Rocks
in the mattress, but it's a
bed.

- Stepping out?
- 'Way out.'

'No more fuss,
flak or fighters.'

Strictly armchair stuff
from here in.

Oh, that dresser
goes with the bed.

What happens after 25 missions?

- A desk in operations?
- Ha-ha!

I wouldn't know how to fly one.

No. I'm going to get me
a nice big fat general

and fly him around.

Weekend warriors from Washington

on inspection trips.

You can put your stuff
over here.

- Are you a pilot?
- 'Yes.'

- Hmm. How long?
- 12 years.

You know that was an
awful
kick in the teeth

I got this afternoon.

Tell the next guy you ride
with
to do it the easy way.

I'm talking about the jet plane.

We thought we were
way ahead of the Germans.

It was a quite an awakening.

You realize that
the speed of
closure

between that jet and our plane

was over 1,000 miles an hour?

You know what that means?

He was in range of our
guns
for less than

four tenths of a
second.
Do you realize--

You know, the only speed
of closure I'm interested in

right now is between
me and that redhead!

Hey..

"See you at 6:40. Jo."

Yeah. And I usually
take the 6:10 up to town.

Off to work every morning.

Back to the little woman
at night.

Typical American marriage.

Ah, marriage is for civilians.

Don't worry.
You'll be back in a blue
suit.

But doing what? Barn storming?

Flying pea script for some
broken-down freight line?

It took a war to get me
a steady job.

What's your version
of the happy days ahead?

Well, it can't be as tough
as that flight home today.

Don't kid yourself.
You got today. Enjoy it.

Tomorrow's got a speed
of closure

faster than that jet.

Don't wait up for me.

Ah! Got you.

I was afraid you'd
be
halfway to London.

Come on.
General Shelly is
waiting.

He just landed
with fist full of
medals.

- It's decoration day.
- I got a medal.

I'm on my way to London.

You're through in London,
bub.
You're going home!

We're all going home!

Home? Are you nuts?

I'm telling you. It's stateside.

Tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.

We're going back
blinking heroes! The whole
crew!

'There's a bond tour.
New York, Washington'

Chicago, and all points west!

Forget it. I'm flying
another tour. Where's Hewitt?

Out on the field
waiting
for you. Get going!

Better tag along, mister.

What happened in Wilhelmshaven
this afternoon is nothing

to what'll happen
to London tonight.

Hey, you know, what's for me?

Milk! Out of a cow.

A whole bathtub..

Hello, major. How are you?

Matt, Jo, where you been?

- Jo!
- Hi.

Get your gear packed, honey.
We take off at 0800.

- Come on, Matt.
- Hi, fellas.

I heard you all got
nice new medals.

- Hi, Jo, grab a seat.
- Charles Johnson, Jo Holloway.

Oh, hello. I understand
you had quite a ride today.

Bumpy. Did he make it by 6:40?

Only just.

Hey, what's the celebration?

Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

Say, who'll drink with me
to Pawtucket?

- Pawtucket!
- Pawtucket!

Hey, miss, more of this stuff!

Farewell performance.

From here in,
it's chocolate malts

fresh eggs and orange juice.

My wife isn't going to wait
for me to get to Chicago.

She'll be right
there
in Washington

when the plane gets in.

Hey what's biting you,
Matt?
Come on, fill up.

He's not drinking tonight.

You gotta be in shape tomorrow,
haven't you, Matt?

It's a long flight
across the Atlantic.

I didn't have the
guts
to tell you.

It's alright, Matt.

I'm glad you didn't.

So, we'll..

We'll just make it
another night at the Red Line.

Drink it up, major.

...something rather.

Come on. Hink, do something.

Get some life into the party.
Go on.

They say there's a bomber
just leaving Calais!

Bound for old Blighty shore.

Heavily-laden
with time-expired men

bound for the land they adore.

Come on, Matt. Come on.

Hello, Widewing.

This is Major Brennan. I want
to talk to the General
Leighton.

Yes, of course it's important.

Well, then put somebody on
who has the authority.

Get me the duty officer.

Hello, this is Matt Brennan,
28th Bomb Group.

I want to get through
to General Leighton.

Well, then bust into his
conference. I gotta talk to
him.

I want permission
to get married. That's what.

Oh, Matt!

Okay, then I will go
to his quarters

and get him out
of that conference myself.

My name is Brennan.
I want to see General
Leighton.

I'm sorry, major. The
general's
with the Prime Minister.

I believe they're out in London.

Oh.

Alright.

Matt.

We've got six hours.

That was yesterday.

The air loud
with the roar of their
engines.

That the world
might sleep secure

in the shadow of their wings.

This is today.

The engines
have long been still.

The wings
anchored to the earth.

And those who flew the planes..

...many of them
are anchored too.

Stay off that rudder.

Stay off that rudder!

No.

No!

Are you alright?

I guess I hit the brakes
too hard.

Yeah.

Yeah, I see what you mean.

I'll do better tomorrow.

There isn't gonna
be
any tomorrow.

You just put the Brennan School
of Aviation out of business.

- I'm sorry!
- Forget it.

Matt!

Matt, how are you?

- Oak leaves, huh?
- Major Hinkle, sir.

The only way
you get those in peacetime

is by boot-licking
for some general.

- An old friend of yours!
- Not Hewitt?

Old Iron Pants himself.

Oh, the nation
is in great peril!

What are you doing here?

We're looking over a new plane.

The old man's last
word
on equipment now.

Come on. We're going over
to Leland Willis' house.

- The old man will be there.
- Who's Willis?

Why, he's the guy that's
building the plane we're
casing.

He also has a bar 80 feet long.

Get into your A-uniform, mister.

- Uh..
- Come on. Let's go.

Okay.

'You remember Maroney,
don't you, Matt?'

'That mullet-head from the 347.'

When I got shot down in 43,
I worked my way to Paris.

And there was Maroney.

In hog heaven,
surrounded by a dozen dames.

He didn't even know
that the Krauts

were occupying his hotel.

- Hello, Ed.
- Good evening, Mrs. Willis.

Where's Carl?

Carl's with Hewitt.
They left the plant
together.

Well, go and get yourself
a drink, Ed.

Thank you.

Who's that civilian
with Major Hinkle?

- Don't you know him?
- I thought you did.

To Pluthner, the only
mess sergeant to get the DFC!

This I want to hear.
How does a mess sergeant get--

Well, we were short
a waist gunner.

So, we yanked Pluthner right
out
behind his powdered eggs.

- Jo.
- Hello.

Jo, you were never more welcome.

I'm not really
crashing,
Mrs. Willis. Carl
insisted.

Oh, no.
They're all in at the bar.

Hello. Mrs. Willis,
General Hewitt.

How do you do?

And on our way back,
he shot the tip of the wing
off.

Hereto regarded
as an impossibility.

So, that's what you fellows
got medals for.

Well, now the colonel
had to figure out some way

'to get Pluthner back
behind that apron.'

'Good mess sergeants were
hard to find, Mr. Willis.'

But the flyers
were a dime a dozen.

Get him. An old pilot
himself.
Running our trade down.

The roads are clogged with
trucks driven by good pilots.

What's the matter with you
guys?
You've been sitting around

for an hour trying
to relive the glory days!

Are we ghosts?
The show is over!

All that matters now
is your Social Security
number.

Never mind the crested
on your air medals.

Goodnight, Hink. Goodnight.

'Good night.'

It's alright, Matt.

I'm not one of your ghosts.

Hello, Jo.

It's good to see
you
again, Matt.

I found him this afternoon, Jo.

I was sort of saving you
for the surprise.

Well, let's get
the girl a drink.

Would you, Hink?
I'd-I'd like one.

Coming right up.

What are you doing here?

That's what I was
going
to ask you.

I came with Carl, Carl
Troxell.
You remember?

Matt!
How are you, fella?

On you, those stars look good,
general.

'Oh, you remember Carl
Troxell?'

Glad to see you again, Brennan.

General, I was getting worried.

Gentlemen, to the bar.

Mrs. Willis, you're a pearl
among women. Come on.

Anyone mentions airplanes
the rest of the night

dies of thirst. Right?

This is the kind
of party I like.

Everybody knows everybody else.

- Sure.
- Scotch?

Thank you. Yes, we go way back.

We all met in England.

Under different
circumstances,
I might add.

Very different, general.

'You know, I got
quite a bang when I tried'

'to introduce you to Carl
this afternoon'

'and then when Jo came along--'

Sure, Jo was a member
of my group.

Practically.

And as for Troxell here--

- You still riding, Brennan?
- Huh?

Oh, yes, I'm getting
a few hours.

Grab that glass, Carl.
I feel a toast coming on.

You know, general, the thing
that pulled me into this

business was my love of
flying.
And flyers.

But Troxell here has
given me the big kick.

Being part of the creation
of the JA3.

Well, it's made up
for all the grief

of post-war aviation.

Carl.

Matt, let's you and I
make ourselves scarce.

We have a few years
to catch up on.

What are you doing out here?

Oh, looking around.

This Willis has good liquor.

Oh, nothing's too good
for our boys in brown.

I just missed you
in Dallas, Matt.

Dallas?

I haven't been in
Dallas
in two years.

I know. You were stunting

for an air circus, weren't you?

That was Dallas.

'I went out there
just to see you.'

I figured you'd be about right.

Why don't you come back in,
Matt?

- What, the Air Force?
- Where you belong.

- Flying what?
- Oh, that's just for kids.

Right now I need a good exec
who can handle things.

No thanks, general. I'm no good
at carrying out orders anymore.

The last time I saw that look
was in a smoky a London
cellar.

You're wrong, Carl.

It's over. Ended. Done.

You keep telling yourself.

I could use another of this.

Another drink, bartender.

In this job, I want
all the old gang around me.

How did Jo get in this setup?

She's Willis' private secretary.

Think it over, Matt.
There's lots worse--

Troxell get her the job?

I don't know.
You could come back in and..

Isn't this the dullest
party
you've ever been to?

Come on. Let's put some
life in it. Come on,
Hink.

Let's go into the act.

What's he trying to prove,
general?

He put on the same kind of show
before every raid.

But inside his guts
were turning.

Till he got up in the air.

Where he belongs right now.

Jo, you know this.

I'd forgotten it, general.

I'll take you home.

This isn't London, Matt.

Would you get my coat, please?

I wrote you a couple of times.

I never got them.

I never mailed them.

Why not?

There's no law against
changing your mind, is
there?

Not for you, Matt.

No laws for you.

We turn right
at the next corner.

- Goodbye, Matt.
- Goodbye?

You always used to give me
a nightcap.

That was London.

I'll settle for coffee.

Maybe you're right.

Maybe you better come in.

Sit down.

Nice place.

Thanks.

Hello?

'This is Matt Brennan.'

'Yeah.'

'Yeah, it was nice
seeing you again.'

Yeah, well, maybe we can.

I'll give you a ring.

Troxell. He wanted to know
if you got home safely.

You might've let me talk to him.

Well, he wanted to know
if you got home okay.

You're home, aren't you?
So I told him.

Hey, what's Troxell,
the watchdog around here?

What right have you
to question me?

Or my friends?

Or anything about me?

Well, I introduced you to
him,
didn't I?

That's right, you did.
And thanks.

Did he get you the
job
with Willis?

If it matters, yes.

Anything else you wanna know?

No, I guess not.

Let's get the record straight,
Matt.

You taught me
quite a few lessons.

I haven't been sitting here

waiting for those letters
you didn't mail.

Suppose I'd have
mailed those
letters.

Suppose we could've get married
that night in London.

That would've made
everything just
perfect

for you, wouldn't it?

A life of one-night stands

following the air circus around.

Watching me make 50 buck
parachute jumps

with the yokels
just waiting for the
day

when my chute wouldn't open.

Is that what you wanted
me
to write about?

Shacked up in empty hangars.

Having a wonderful
time.
Wish you were here.

I would've traded that any
time
for what I didn't get.

I'd have given my right arm
to get those letters.

Instead of just being
Matt Brennan's girl in
England.

Forgotten the moment
he was air-born.

How did you think that felt?

Or didn't you think
about anything

except being sorry for yourself?

Well..

...I had my days
of self-pity too.

And nights.

You got over them okay.

You seem to be doing
alright too.

Yeah.

Yeah, maybe we both
played in luck.

Not finding General
Leighton
that night in London.

You can skip the coffee.

'I'm not talking
preliminary tests.'

I'm talking Air Force
certification.

Maximum speed.
Terminal velocity. The works.

Do you think I'll let
Brennan
or anyone else fly those?

You think I sunk 8
million
dollars into this plant

to buy some bush pilot
that set of headlines?

I'm not interested in headlines.

Well, I am. They sell airplanes.

The JA3 is a Willis plane.

When it's test-flown,
I'll fly it.

And I figured you
for a bigtime operator.

A guy who knew
all the inside holes.

You've tried a few.

- Have a cigar before you go.
- No, thanks.

Anybody ever tell you
what Hewitt thinks of Brennan?

Do you know what one word
from him could mean?

More than you or me or 20
inspections trips could
achieve.

When did all this
happen?
You worrying about

whether the plane sells or not?

You think I've sweated
for four years

to get write-ups
in aviation magazines.

I want to see that plane
in the air.

And I'm telling you
how to put it there.

How to sell not 50 but 500.

What makes you think
that Brennan pulls

that kind of weight with Hewitt?

Why do you think he wanted him
back in uniform?

Do you know anybody else who's
had the experience he's had?

Flown everything
from P-38's to B-29's?

Including a tour
at Wright Field testing
jets?

- Miss Holloway.
- Wait a second.

Keep her out of this.

You know Brennan
and you know Hewitt,
right?

Yes.

'Do you think Hewitt would be
impressed by anything'

'Brennan have to say
about the JA3?'

Noel Hewitt couldn't be
swayed by anything

anybody said about an airplane.

I'll put it this way.
If he could be swayed

is Brennan the man to do it?

If he'd listen to anyone

he'd listen to Matt Brennan.

That's good enough for me.
Do you know where he is?

Send him a wire. Butter him
up.
We want him here.

'Chief Test Pilot.
$500 a month.'

Make it $750. $500 is not enough

for a man of Brennan's caliber.

'Get it out right away.'

He's your problem, Troxell.

You're responsible for him.

Thanks.

Straight wire from Mr. Willis
to Matthew E. Brennan.

Windsor Hotel City.

Dear Mr. Brennan..

...enjoyed our meeting
very much.

Would you be interested
in joining our organization

as Chief Test Pilot?

The plane is on the
line
and ready.

Your trousseau.

What, no brassiere?
Here, give me a hand.

As long as you're going
to get the feel of the
plane

you might as well
get the feel of the
suit.

It'll keep your
guts
out of your lap

when you do into a tight bank.

You go in or out
of
a dive or a tight
turn

it inflates to give
pressure
where you need it.

It forces the blood
back into your head

instead of letting it
drain down to your
toes.

Well, I hate
to break your heart

but we had these in Wright
Field
back in '46.

Thanks.

How's that?

A little drafty in the rear.

Okay, coach. Where's the field
and who do we play?

Come on.

- Well?
- Yeah, if it works.

Better keep your
shoulder
out of the way.

There's a
television
camera here.

Later when you take it
up,
we pick up

your instrument panel
on a receiver down
here.

Fun for young and old, huh?

Just taxi her up and down
the strip a couple times

to get the feel of the ship.

Next week will be time
enough to take her up.

I thought someone
from the front office

should wish you luck.

- Thanks.
- Anything else I can tell
you?

Yeah. How do you start
this thing?

Clear!

He's just going to taxi around
and get the feel of the ship.

'Tower to JA3.
Runway cleared to taxi.'

He's home, isn't he?

Is he?

What do you mean, Carl?

Why do you think
I went to bat for
him?

Sure, I wanted him in the plane.

He's the best.

But that wasn't the only reason.

I wanted to get rid of a..

...ghost between us.

Well, he's no ghost now.

He's back just the
way
you had it.

Is that what you want?

Don't ask me, Carl.

I didn't want him here.

I'm scared. Scared stiff.

Forget it.

Boss, where is the scoreboard?

In your hands.

'Hello, JA3! Hello, JA3!'

'What's keeping you guys?'

'Start rate of climb test.'

All I want is 18,000 feet
a minute.

Don't let her get out of
hand.
Level off at 50,000.

- 'You ready?'
- Right.

'Hold it down, Matt.'

'I'm dragging my feet now.'

- Fifty-one thousand.
- Do you hear me?

Level off, Matt.

Leveling off. 58,000.

'Drop your dive break.
Bring her down.'

'Make your pull-out
at no more than 6 G's.'

Do you hear? Five miles
straight
up before he could stop it.

I thought he was going
through the roof. That's
power.

- It's also flying.
- Breaks my heart.

What's going on up there
and
we can't say a thing about
it.

Do you realize the
publicity
we could get?

And Troxell keeps stalling me

with these
everlasting
tests, tests, tests.

How do you feel?

Bostwick can fly this ship.

She's ready, Carl.
Let me fly her for Hewitt.

You'll be setting jigs
in a week.

No, the plane isn't ready. It
won't be ready for two months.

- Two months? You're crazy!
- Two months, I said.

Ride with me, Matt.
I don't want General Hewitt

and the Air Force
to see the JA3 yet.

Why not? It's what
the Air Force is waiting
for.

A power plant that'll fly
at supersonic speed

and still give long range.
Why sit on it?

What would've happened this
morning if you had to bail out

at 58,000 feet
and 1200 miles an hour?

I don't like
to think about that.

Well, I do. I've got to.

We've all been
concentrating on how fast

and how high we can go.

The speed of sound.
That was a challenge.

We told ourselves there was
a wall up there. A sound wall.

Then Yeager cracked it.
Well, that settled the wall.

You know all it took
was
a change in design.

Raised wings, swept back.

Now you can fly as smooth

at 1,000 miles an
hour
as you could at 200.

Ah, smoother.

So the speed of sound is licked.

Only when Yeager went through
that wall

he dropped a whole new set
of problems in our lap.

'Even if you could get out
of this at 500 miles an hour'

'you'd be hit by a pressure
below of 2,800 lbs.'

At 600 miles would be 4,000.

And I haven't said
anything
about temperatures.

Up to 60 degrees below zero

at everything above 35,000 feet.

And you could be
better
than 70,000.

At that altitude,
there's no such thing as
oxygen.

If you have to bail out,
what's the difference

how you get it. You get it.

Connect the air, boss.

That you, Matt. 60,000 feet.

1,200 miles an hour.

You're in trouble.
What do you do?

Prepare to sprout
wings.
What else?

Suppose you could pull
a lever like

he's pressing that button now.

Nice toy.

- It works, Matt.
- In a wind tunnel, yeah.

But a wind tunnel
is a long way from an
airplane.

So?

Come on.

Inside is an ejection lever.
Pull it.

You pull it in rocket charges
on either side

catapult the whole part out.

A pressurized airtight unit.

What happens if the rocket
charge knocks the pilot
out?

Who pulls the
parachute
cord then?

It's automatic.
Atmospheric pressure opens it

at 30,000 feet.

What about a rough
take-off
or a crash landing?

Or a short-circuit?

This thing would blow
you
400 feet in the air.

It can't happen. The rocket
is activated by a solenoid.

It takes the release mechanism
to energize it.

You mean you're going
to break all these

connections loose
simultaneously?

That's what I'm working on now.

Mister, you built yourself
a great airplane.

The JA3. Be satisfied.

This thing's as full of bugs
as a kitchen drain.

And you're asking the pilot
to sit on a keg of dynamite

every time he goes up.
Forget it.

What happened
to the guy I met in England?

Fighting for the maximum
safety factor in airplanes?

There were some excuse then
when a plane wasn't perfect.

here was a war on. But there's
no war now. There's no excuse.

I can lick this thing
in 60 days, Matt.

I've already run the test
with a model.

Willis wants you in his office.

Stick with me on this,
will you, Matt?

If Willis speaks to you
about the JA3, stall him.

For 60 days anyway.

I'll have the JA4 ready by then.

Even if I liked your cockeyed
idea, I couldn't kid Willis.

The seat of my
pants
were pretty thin

when he gave me this job.

If he asks me
if I think the JA3 is
ready

I gotta tell him.

Matt!

- You ready?
- For what?

Well, I thought maybe you'd
like
to go out to dinner.

Come on in. I'll feed you.

Oh, that's an offer.

- Hello, Matt.
- Oh, hello.

Sit down.
I'll get another plate.

Well, do we leave together or
do
we try to outsit each other?

Matt, fix yourself a drink.

I'll have a double anything.
No ice.

- Celebration?
- Anything but.

I could've saved my breath
this afternoon.

- What are you talking about?
- Haven't you heard?

Willis is taking
the wraps off the JA3.

Don't look at me.
It wasn't my idea.

'No. This dilly
was his own idea.'

I told you the plane was ready
for an acceptance test.

You underestimate Willis.

Nothing so dull as
Air Force tests for him.

This is a range flight.

'Honolulu to LA.'

'The first supersonic flight
across the Pacific.'

'A hundred thousand cheering
citizens at the airport.'

Yeah. Yeah, I bet
there will be at that.

And what does it prove?
Nothing.

It's just a stunt
to grab headlines.

That's Willis' system.

'Headlines sell airplanes.'

Well, it's his plane
and his money.

What are you crabbing about?

- Here take this and relax.
- Thanks.

Hey, when's the flight
scheduled?

'Friday. Bostwick is out at
the
plant now checking the plane.'

Honolulu to LA. 2600 miles.

I'll be bucking headwinds
all the way.

Even so,
I can make it into a half
hours.

You could make it?
I got news for you, bud.

You don't make this flight.

'You can do the routine tests.'

Even the Air Force
certification.

But if you think that Willis
is gonna share the headlines

with you or anybody else,
you don't know Willis.

Well, I got news for you,
I know Brennan.

Either I'm his test
pilot
or I'm not.

I didn't take this
job
to be a flunkie.

- I make this flight.
- Don't tell me. Tell
Willis.

- I'll tell him.
- You'll have to do it by
phone.

He's on his way to Seattle.

Left about a half an hour
ago
in his private plane.

He's gonna inspect some plants.

Why'd you let him get away?

I said my say this afternoon.

Hello?

Yes, here. For you,
Carl.
Ed Bostwick.

Hello?

You what? When?

Where is he now?

Stay where you are.
I'll be right over.

Willis crashed
about
20 minutes ago.

Lost an engine on the take-off.

- No.
- Is he alive?

Yes. Both his legs are broken.

He'll be in a
cast
a couple
months.

Even he can't fly
in that condition.

It's in the bag,
Matt.
The flight's
kaput.

I'll get my 60
days.
Maybe more.

I'm sorry about dinner, Jo.

I'll get a sandwich.

Does he always do that?

- Why not?
- Well, uh..

I'll get dinner.

Headlines he wants, eh?

Uh, I'm terribly sorry

but Leland's not allowed
any visits.

Mrs. Willis,
it's important
that I--

'Let him in! Let him in!'

'It is easier than arguing.'

Oh, why did I let him
out of the hospital?

- What do you want?
- How do you feel?

How do you think I feel?
What's on your mind?

The JA3.

You want your plane on the
front
page. I can put it there.

I can prove it's the
hottest
ship in the air.

There. There.. Put in there.

So you want to make
the Honolulu flight, eh?

Honolulu! Planes leave for
Honolulu every hour on the
hour.

That's kid stuff.

What's the new air front?

What's got Hewitt and all
the
other top brass worried?

The polar region.
That's what I'm talking
about.

Nome, Alaska over
the North Pole to
Washington.

Set her right
down
in Hewitt's lap.

- What's the distance?
- 5300 miles. Approximately.

The maximum for JA3
is 4000 miles. It'd be
suicide.

Well, it's my neck. All
you're
risking is an airplane.

An airplane cost me
two million dollars!

Here's your answer.
Modification of
plane.

Flight routes, wind
charts.
The whole works.

What do you want?

The doctor ordered
a hypo at four--

When I want a hypo,
I'll order it.

- Get out.
- Yes, sir.

Interested, huh?

That Honolulu flight
was kid stuff.

A milk run.
Now here's something
worthwhile.

From Nome, Alaska, over the
North Pole to Washington.

We'll set the JA3 right down
in Hewitt's lap.

'Are we gonna start that range
flight nonsense again?'

Why not? We've got a plane that
will climb four miles a minute.

Fly 1400 miles an hour?

A power plant so revolutionary

it gives us the
range
of a bomber.

We don't need any grandstand
play like this.

'I'm a grandstand player.'

'Any of the old line companies
would do things your way.'

But I'm a Johnny-come-lately.

And I'm going to
sell
the JA3 my own way.

Even though it's obsolete?

Obsolete even before
it's in production?

You got a better plane out
in the secret hangar right
now.

- The pod idea?
- Yes, the pod, the JA4!

It's only a matter of weeks,
maybe even days.

You hope? And if you're
right,
what of it?

The P80 finished the 51.

The B36 knocked out the 29.

That's the history of aviation!

The B29 was the best
there was till

the B36 was perfected.

The JA3 isn't.

Don't you think
I know why you're

in such a hurry to sell it.

You don't want
the JA4 to come out

till you have an order
for the 3s.

'The day you sign that,
you'll start'

'cutting jigs and stamping
dies.'

Why do you think I'm in--

You'll sell the Air Force
all the JA3s you've got.

Then you'll crack out
with the 4s.

'Why do you care if they've
used up their
appropriations?'

'Have to scrap a billion
dollar in material.'

That's their
problem.
These stand.

Nome over the Pole
to Washington!

No soap. It's too far.

Our maximum range is 4000 miles
with strong tail winds.

Maximum was 4000.
Not anymore.

We're going to seal the wings
and fill them with fuel.

We'll make the whole ship
a flying tank.

It'd be a flying bomb.
Could explode any minute.

I'll take that risk.
It's my money that blows up.

'Well, you can fill the
wings
and you still'

'won't have fuel enough
for the flight.'

You're talking about 60,000

feet altitude,
I'm talking about 80.

At that altitude, our range can
increase as much as 20 percent.

It cannot.

You'll burn up more fuel
reaching that altitude

than you'll save
when you get there.

We won't.

Will put a KCB rocket
on each wing.

They'll shoot us up to
altitude
and then we'll dump him.

Order those rockets right away.

It's a great idea except
for one detail.

No pilot can live
at that altitude.

You're so right,
the cockpit can't be
pressurized

for more than
60,000
feet altitude.

That's why I'm
having
this suit built.

It can be pressurized
to give us an additional
20.

Plus pressurized oxygen
running right into his
lungs.

It'll take all
three.
But it can work.

Ingenious.

It's the kind of an idea
you're supposed to come up
with.

Instead I get it
from Brennan here.

What's Brennan's idea,
the rockets?

The whole thing.

The flight.
Modification of the
plane.

Pressure suit. Everything.

He's earned the
right
to make the flight.

For 30,000 bucks.

'Which I'll pay gladly
if you make it.'

That's what I'm
in
business for.

To buy ideas and the know-how
that goes with them.

Pay him in silver, will you?

30,000 pieces of silver.

Miss Holloway,
make out a contract right
away.

And a certified check
to be ready for Brennan

when he lands in Washington.

Miss Holloway.

Yes, sir.

Bostwick, get
going
on these changes.

Everything's got to be
finished in three days.

The JA3 leaves this
field
for Nome

on Thursday morning.

It will be ready.

I'll see you Thursday.

Matt.

You can't make this flight.

- Why not?
- You can't do it to Carl.

Oh, why don't you quit
mothering that guy?

He's a big boy.
Let him fight his own battles.

Everything you
have
you owe to Carl.

How do you think
you got this job?

Willis didn't want you.
Carl made him take you.

Why?

Because he knew you belonged
in the air

and wanted to put
you
back there.

- That's why.
- Okay. So I'm in the air.

Maybe he did get me the job.
But I'm keeping it.

Even if it means
double-crossing
Carl?

For what the 30,000 bucks
will mean to me?

Yes.

Anything else?

No, Matt. That's all.

That's everything.

Mr. Willis is waiting for you.

Feeling alright?

I feel fine.
Quit sweating, will you?

- Wait for those winds.
- Now, don't worry.

I don't leave Nome till
I've got a typhoon going my
way.

It looks like you're
not going to make it

set down in some field
in Canada.

Set down anywhere.
Don't let anything happen.

Who's going to Washington
with you?

My wife.

Jeb Farley
He'll handle the press.

- Miss Holloway.
- Be sure she goes.

I'll see you there.

- 'Good luck!'
- Don't forget your checkbook.

Aren't you going
to wish me luck?

Don't do it, Matt.

For Troxell's sake.

It was alright taking chances
in England.

That was war and you had to.

But not now.
Not just for money.

Why, this flight is worse
than
any mission over Germany.

I remember those days, Matt.

I remember what you used to say.

Anyone who got back
from his first mission

was on borrowed time.

How much time can you borrow?

Go back in there, Matt.

Tell him it's over.
Tell him he can keep his money.

I'll see you in Washington.

All your gear is stowed.

- Okay.
- Good luck!

Al and Johnny will meet you
in Nome.

They'll put the rockets
on there.

- And give you final checkup.
- Thanks.

I understand I also owe
you
my job here.

- Thanks for that too.
- You don't owe me anything.

The ones you owe aren't
here to be thanked.

I thought one day you'd
realize
your debt to aviation.

But not you.
You're a one-man show.

No obligation
to anybody but Matt Brennan.

You're playing
to the grandstand.

But I'm going to beat you
at your own game.

I'm going to steal your
thunder
and your rotten headlines.

The JA4 will be tested
and the pod proven

before you set your wheels
on the runway in Washington.

You better get going, brother

'cause I'm not
giving
you much time.

Clear!

Come on, boys.
We are running out of time.

'Tower to JA3.
Take off when ready.'

When the noon shift comes on,
keep these men working too.

- Don't let up on them.
- Right.

No. Take it up again.

Brennan is in Nome.

- Three hours, 37 minutes.
- What kept him?

Come on, fellows.
Try it once more.

Down on the front line.

Plenty wind.

Yeah.
All in the wrong direction.

Him and his rockets!

I'd like to tie one on to him.

I'm glad it's him riding
one of these up. Not me.

Yeah, well
he can ride them all away

as far as I'm concerned.

The wings full of fuel.

And he's going to
light
a fire under them.

This guy's got guts.
You gotta say that for
him.

Say, how long am I gonna be
holed up here?

It's 48 hours now.

Thanks.

'Yeah, yeah, I'll try.
No, I can't.'

'I can't tell you more, Ed.
When it pops, it pops.'

Yeah, I still guarantee that.

Yeah. Right. I'll call you.

Garvey, United News Wire.

Bulls in the chute. All of them.

- Waiting for the gate to
open.
- Let them wait.

For two days now.
Nothing but
promises.

How long can I hold them?

Well, that's your problem.
But you hold them.

Hello?

Yes, this is Mr. Willis'
secretary.

Read it, please.

Thanks.

Another 12 hours at least.

No wind.

Here, dear.

When I want that,
I'll ask for it.

I think we'd all better
get some sleep.

Well, let's have it.

What do you think?

Yeah. Yeah.
That's good enough for
me.

Looks like CAVU
practically all the way.

One front threatening off
Labrador, but..

Uh, take-off time
in two minutes, 1:00 a.m.

six hours differential, that's
7:00 a.m. in Washington time.

Gives me daylight all the way..

Cruising altitude, 90,000 feet.

Yeah. Yeah. I can do
it
in four and a half
hours.

Wire Washington,
tell them my
ETA's

approximately
11:30,
their time.

- See ya.
- Yeah. Good luck!

Four and a half hours!

Farley.

Jo!

He's off! 12 minutes ago!

He'd be here in four hours if he
makes it. Get on the phone, Jeb.

I want every radio station
in the country.

Every newspaper
hanging on this story!

Jo, call Hewitt.
Get him up here.

Get me the operator
at Fort Meyer.

We've got to test effect
of atmospheric

pressure on the discharge valve.

He's off!

18 minutes ago. He left Nome.

- Come on, guys. On your feet.
- Take it easy, Carl.

These guys
are all in. They need sleep.

They can sleep tomorrow.
We gotta finish this thing.

JA3 to Point Barrow radio.

JA3 to Point Barrow radio.

'Go ahead, JA3.'

Give me my present bearing.
Over.

'Present bearing 340 degrees.'

'Approximately 200 miles
of the station.'

'You're right on course.'

JA3 to Point Barrow.
Position report.

Altitude 90,000 feet.

Ground speed approximately..

...1400 miles an hour.

Estimated time of arrival
at the North Pole

Zero-eight-two-zero,
Eastern Standard Time.

As long as the Air Force
insignia's on

that plane, it's under our
jurisdiction.

And this flight isn't just
stupid. It's criminal.

Go ahead, general.
Say what you like.

But when we set down at
the National Airport

you will be singing
a different tune.

We set down?

Are you flying that ship?

This is a suicide mission for
Matt Brennan and you know it.

JA3 calling Point Barrow radio.

JA3 calling Point Barrow radio.

If you read me,
I'm now over the North Pole.

'I am now over the North Pole.'

Picking up new heading
to Washington DC.

'Baffin Bay radio calling
JA3!'

'Can you receive me, JA3?'

'Come in, JA3!'

'Answer, JA3!'

'Calling JA3!'

Go ahead, Baffin Bay.

'Point Barrow gave me
your position report.'

'What happened?
Are you in trouble?'

No. I just dozed off
for a minute.

'I've been trying
to check your ETA at the
Pole.'

Right on the button.

Relay my position
to Washington, D.C.

'Baffin Bay Relay Station
calling Washington radio.'

Washington radio
to Baffin Bay. Go ahead.

'Experimental plane JA3
passed over North Pole'

'at 8:20 a.m.
Eastern Standard Time.'

'Ground speed. Approximately
1400 miles per hour.'

'Now heading
toward your station.'

Some comedian says
he's over the North Pole.

Those screwballs
from Mitchell Field again!

Okay, Baffin Bay.
Give my regards to the Eskimos.

Radio control.
Yes, General Hewitt.

What, JA3? Yes, we just..

Over the North Pole.

But if we thought,
that is.. I..

Yes, sir.

That guy wasn't kidding.

Washington radio
calling Baffin Bay..

JA3 calling Fort Georges radio.

JA3 calling Fort Georges radio.

'Come in, JA3.'

Estimated position

50 miles north of your station.

Whoops.
Sorry. Just passed you.

- Did you fix that wheel,
Jim?
- Okay, boss.

I'll give you
the instrument
readings

all the way up.

Keep the recorder going.

I want everything I say on tape.

We'll go over it
as soon as I
land.

Did you get the cover
off
that feeder tube?

- 'You're all set.'
- Good luck!

See ya.

Clear!

JA3 calling any station.
JA3 calling any station.

Come in, any station.

'This is Ottawa radio.
I've been trying to reach
you.'

Roger.

'Where are you, JA3?
Washington is going crazy.'

I should've been over your
station 12 minutes ago.

Do you have a wind change
to report?

'90 degree change.'

'Front moving in
from Southeast.'

Yeah, I thought so.

I'm up to my ears in meteor
dust. What's the velocity?

'90 miles an hour
and increasing.'

What is the best altitude?

'On your course,
it makes no difference.'

'Broad winds all the rest
of the way.'

Roger. Stay awake, will you?

Calling JA4.. Calling JA4.

Come in, JA4.

'Leveling off at 60,000.'

'She took the climb
beautifully.'

What about the release
mechanism?

We find vibration
in the pressure gauge.

'I don't know
if I have constant pressure'

'in the ejection chamber
or not.'

'Well, let's check it
once more.'

That's what I'm up here for.

Come on down, Carl.
Don't take any chances.

I'm coming down in the pod.

'I've got the recorder
going.
Keep in touch with me.'

'Find me a nice soft spot,
Ed.'

Here I come.

National Airport calling JA3.

National Airport calling JA3.

National Airport calling JA3.

'Rabbit Leader
calling formation.'

'Rabbit Leader calling
formation.'

'Close up those
number three position.'

'9124, 10 miles northwest
field.'

'Request landing
instructions.
Over.'

- Was that runway 2-4 or 3-4?
- Put me on B channel.

All planes in this area.
All planes in this area.

This is General Hewitt.

Air Force emergency.

Get off B channel.
Get off B channel.

'Wilco. Roger.'

National Airport calling JA3.

National Airport calling JA3.

National Airport calling JA3.

National Airport calling JA3.

'National Airport calling
JA3.'

Go ahead, National Airport.

- 'Hello, Matt, this is
Hewitt.'
- 'Hiya, general.'

'Got the reception
committee ready?'

Are you alright?
Are you going to make it?

I gotta make it.

- I am the guest of honor.
- 'Where are you now?'

Corner of Third and Main
in Harrisburg.

- How's your fuel?
- 'What fuel?'

'You're talking
to a glider pilot.'

Brennan. This is Willis.

Remember what I told you.

Don't try to stretch it.

What you mean,
don't try to stretch it?

- I got to.
- 'Set down now.'

Anywhere, on the nearest
field.
Use your head, Brennan.

'Matt. This is Hewitt.'

Hold it, general.
I think I see Washington.

- Are you sure?
- 'It better be.'

'Your attention,
ladies and gentlemen.'

'Your Attention, please.'

'Announcing the arrival
of Air Force'

'experimental ship JA3
from Nome Alaska.'

'By way of the North Pole.'

'The new plane took
off from Nome at 7:00 a.m.'

'Eastern Standard Time.'

'Pilot Brennan reported
over the North Pole'

'at 8:20 Eastern Standard Time.'

'And last reported over
Harrisburg.'

'Estimated time of arrival,
this field'

'11:27 a.m.
Easter Standard Time.'

Don't take a chance
of the flameout.

Cut your turbos now.

I got no turbos.
I'm coming in dead stick.

Clear the area!

Attention all planes..

Standby ambulances.
Emergency Landing.

Emergency Landing! Repeat..

Come on, give us a break,
brother.

Alright, colonel,
you looking alright.

Get me out of this Buck Rogers
monkey suit, will you?

Hey, where is Willis?
Where is Jo?

They're over at the radio
control room.

Congratulations.

Congratulations, boy.

Congratulations, Matt,
congratulations!

The finest bit of flying
ever done.

I get more than
a handshake, don't I?

You certainly do.
Your check's waiting.

- Hey, where is Jo?
- She's here.

Miss Holloway!
Miss Holloway!

Congratulations, Matt.

Here's his check, Mr. Willis.

Brennan, this is a pleasure.

Hold it right there.
Shaking hands!

Los Angeles calling, Mr.
Willis,
in the superintendents office.

I'll take it.

Hello.

Yes. Yes, this is
Mr. Willis' secretary.

I'll take it.
Put him on, please.

I just come 5300 miles

to say something to you.

I can't wait.

You should be out
there
with the reporters.

What, do you think I made that
flight for that stuff?

I did it for this.
I did it for us.

I didn't tell you before
because
I wasn't sure I could make it.

How many stunts like this do
you think I got left in me?

You said it yourself.

You said I've been flying
on borrowed time.

Well, I'm through borrowing.

We are through borrowing.

All my life,
I've waited for this.

Even if the ground may,
we can still eat.

Maybe I did step on a few toes
to get it. But I got it.

Now what about you?

Are you gonna marry me?

Or are you going back
to California to bandage up

the toes I've stepped on?

I got to, Matt.

Hello.

Yes, we were cut off.

Hi, Ed.

No, Mr. Willis is
with reporters. He
can't.

What is it?

Oh, no!

- What's the matter?
- It's Carl.

The pod failed.

He's dead, Matt.

Maybe you didn't authorize
Troxell's flight

but he made it.

And that plane was
Air Force property.

Not yours.

Did you know Troxell's
plans
before you left for Nome?

I knew he was gonna
prove his pod.

How he was gonna do it
didn't interest me.

You were the test pilot.
Why didn't you make the test?

It wasn't ready when
I took off for Nome.

And if it was ready now?

I follow the bosses orders,
general.

But that one
I would have to think over.

Buzzing around in the sky

at 12 to 1400 miles an hour
that's one thing.

But being shot into the air

at that speed without wings..

That's something else again.

Acceptance test for the JA3

Saturday morning
at 10 o'clock.

'We'll be ready.'

And by the way,
what are you going

to do about that pod, Willis?

You got a duplicate ship
out
in the hangar.

It can stay there.
I never had any faith in it.

I had.

I had faith in any
idea
of Carl Troxell's.

'You heard what Brennan said,
it's a death trap.'

Every plane that was ever built

was a death trap, mister

until somebody proved otherwise.

And if research will
save the life of any
flyer

he's entitled to that research.

I'm satisfied with the JA3.

- Hello, Matt.
- Hello, Jo.

What's it about?

Ed's been trying to see
you
and Willis all day.

- He's in there.
- Oh?

- Hello, Bostwick.
- Hello, Matt.

And why the recorder?

I've got a message for you
from Troxell.

He gave me his message
the last time we met.

You think his test is
a failure, don't you?

- Oh, wasn't it?
- It wasn't a failure.

That plane sitting
out
in the hangar.

That duplicate JA4.

Isn't an unproved plane.

You've got to use that
ship
on Saturday.

And commit suicide?

It's easy to sit on the ground

while somebody else
does the flying.

Troxell didn't
sit
on the ground--

- Troxell is dead.
- They're burying him
tomorrow.

But if you don't use
that
pod on the Saturday

they will not only be
burying Carl Troxell

they'll be bearing
all
the hundreds of
kids

that'll never have the
chance
he wanted them to have.

You owe him that much.

I don't owe him anything.

Or you or Willis
or anybody else.

'Leveling off at 60,000.'

'She took
the climb beautifully.'

'What about the release
mechanism?'

'There's a slight vibration
in the pressure gauge.'

'Don't know if I've got
constant pressure'

'in the injection chamber
or not.'

'Let's check it once more.'

- 'That's what I'm up here
for.'
- 'Come on down, Carl.'

'Don't take any chances.'

- 'I'm coming down. In the pod.'
- 'I've got the recorder going.'

'Keep in touch with me.'

'Find me a nice soft spot.
Here I come.'

'Carl, can you hear me?
Are you out?'

'Carl? Carl, are you out?'

'Did you make it?
Carl, can you hear me?'

'Are you out?'

'Only half out, Ed.
I'm wedged in.'

'The planes out of control.'

- 'In a vertical dive.'
- 'What happened?'

'We out-guessed everything
but the pressure.'

'We need at least 240 pounds.'

'Put a manual pump next
to the switch.'

'Tell Matt if his pressure
gauge
shows less than 240 pounds'

'he won't get full combustion.'

'He can adjust it
to the booster. Got that?'

'Got it.'

- 'What was that?'
- 'It's a wing.'

'Heaven knows how fast
I'm going.'

'There goes the other.
I'm a flying bullet now.'

- 'Ed, any word from Matt?'
- 'Not yet.'

'I hope he doesn't
wash out too.'

'Tell Jo if I would've been
in his boot'

'I would've done the same
thing.'

'But I didn't wash out either.'

'This thing isn't a
failure,
don't forget that.'

'Don't let the pod die with me.'

'I leave it in your hands.'

'Yours and Matt's.
He'll prove it for us.'

Get out! Get out!

Is that your answer?

Yes, you sadistic..

Get out.

Come on, Ed.

You want me to fly his crazy
ship, don't you?

You want me to commit suicide
like he did?

That would square it for
everybody, wouldn't it?

No, it wouldn't, Matt.

I don't know what
I want you to do.

I don't know what
I'm supposed to do.

All I know is Carl is dead
and we killed him.

We killed him?

Why don't you grow up?

You didn't kill him
any more than I did.

You think I forced him up there?

Well, he was better than that.

Nothing forced him up there
but
the churning in his own guts.

Men have died
since the beginning of time

trying to lick the air.

All through the ages,
you'll find them up there

sticking their lives
against the challenge.

Sure, Troxell lost.

Just as everybody
loses who's fool

enough to think he can lick it.

But he didn't care if he died.

He wasn't thinking about that.

Well, you can't
make me care either.

'He got what he wanted. He was
up there. And he licked it.'

For one little moment, he was
champion of earth and sky.

He had immortality
right in his fist.

So what's he got to squawk
about? Or you either.

You want to feel responsible
for him?

Go ahead. Weep for him.

Bury him with tears.

But I am alive
and I'm gonna stay alive.

Saturday I fly the JA3.
And then I am through.

Through with the whole weeping,
wailing bunch of you.

- Okay on maneuverability?
- Yeah.

Terminal velocity next.

Start the dive that 40,000.
Make the pull-out at 15.

Calling JA3.

'Calling JA3. Last test.'

'Terminal velocity.
Level off at 40,000.'

'Drop your dive brakes.
Rollout at 15.'

'Thirty-four thousand.'

Thirty-eight thousand.
Forty.

Twenty-two.

Fifteen.

- Well, sir?
- I'm satisfied.

- General?
- An excellent showing.

Well, that's it, Willis.

Your plane has passed
the qualification
tests.

Give me that.

Matt, we made it.

Come on down.
I'll buy you a drink.

He's climbing again, sir.
25,000 feet.

Brennan, can you hear me?

- Where is Matt?
- Just finished the test.

- Make him come down.
- What's wrong, Jo?

He's flying the JA4.
He's going to test the pod.

- What? You're crazy.
- She's right, Willis.

That isn't the JA3 up
there.
It's the JA4.

And Matt's going to
test
that pod.

I just found out of the plan.

He'll kill himself.
Don't let him do it, general.

Who ordered him to do this?
Is this true, Bostwick?

He ordered it himself. He
didn't
want you to know about it.

'39,000 and still
climbing, sir.'

Brennan, do you hear?
Bring that plane down

or you'll never fly again.

How do you want it, Willis?

The easy way or the hard way?

I don't want any more tests.

Understand, Brennan?
No more tests!

Okay, Willis. The hard way.

Something's wrong, general.
Radio contact broken.

Calling JA4. Calling JA4.

- Calling JA4.
- Here, here, give me that.

Hello, Matt!

If you don't use
the pod on Saturday

they won't only be
burying Carl Troxell

they'll be burying all
the hundreds of kids

who'll never had the chance
he wanted them to have.

I remember what you
used to say

"Anyone who comes back
from his first mission

is on borrowed time."

How much time can you borrow?

But I didn't washout
either.

This thing isn't a
failure.
Don't forget that.

Don't let the pod die with me.

I'm leaving it in your hands.

Yours and Matt's.

He'll prove it for us.

No, it wouldn't, Matt.

I don't know
what I want you to do.

I don't know
what I'm supposed to do.

All I know is Carl is
dead.

And we killed him.

Matt, Matt..

Matt, this is Hewitt.

Answer me
if you can hear me, Matt.

Matt! Is there anything..

Jo.

- Jim, get me a Jeep.
- Yes, sir.

Now, you're in aviation, Willis.

Now, you see how a death trap
can be turned into a life
raft.

Why did you take a chance,
Matt?
Why did you do it?

Well, there I was

up 60,000 feet..

And it was the quickest way
to get down to you.