Actor Lloyd Nolan's character is based on General Al Boyd, an AFFTC Commander who was instrumental in the testing and developing of numerous new aircraft at Edwards during the 1940's and 50's.
Feature film debut of James Garner.
The "Gilbert XF-120" is actually the prototype Martin XB-51, an unsuccessful tactical bomber design.
The farewell fly-by honoring actor Lloyd Nolan's character was led by "Pete" Everest (Frank Everest) accompanied by Iven Kincheloe, Lou Schalk, Stu Childs and Robert M. White. All were famous Edwards A.F.B. test pilots.
The scene with actor William Holden losing control and tumbling in the X-2 is depicted with actual footage from test pilot Chuck Yeager's 70,000-foot free fall in the Bell X-1A in 1953.
The uncredited little boy playing actor James Garner's son is five-year old actor Jon Provost who a year later would start playing "Timmy" in the TV series Lassie.
X-2 taxiing and takeoff shots were a mix of actual X-2 glide and powered flight footage.