On Mon, 20 Dec 2004 16:53:28 GMT, "Boris Beizer"
wrote:

The only real drama is at the end, the bit with the Kaufman
starters and "wasting" the penultimate cartridge to clear the cylinders. In
the original, Jimmy Steward was visibly shaken and conflicted. This guy
just goes to it with alacrity and no hint of conflict. Steward was an
experience pilot and knew what was what and probably contributed to
believability of the film and to preventing the copious Hollywood goofs that
plagues this sorry rerun.

And the Pheonix that flew in the first film was a real aeroplane.

http://www.securaplane.com/esite/mantz2.html