Factual error: John Wayne's squadron lands on Guadacanal as part of the "Cactus Air Force" in August 1942. However, they are flying F6F-3 Hellcats, which were not available, even to the Navy, until the middle of 1943. To top it off, they are painted in a late-war camouflage scheme with late-war markings.
Flying Leathernecks (1951)
Directed by: Nicholas Ray
Starring: John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Don Taylor, Janis Carter
Continuity mistake: During combat a pilot is shown to be wounded in his right leg. As he is coming in to land, two further shots of him in the cockpit now show him to be wounded in his left leg. Some blood stain patterns on his gear, also the position of his helmet chin strap, also change position from left to right.
Factual error: The postage stamp used on the letter during the scene at the door/porch back home was issued by the post office in Dec. 1949. The stamp didn't exist in 1942.
Maj. Daniel Xavier Kirby: Are we all buttoned up?
Joan Kirby: Cat's out... doors locked. All secure sir.
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