Other mistake: When Lindbergh is forced to parachute out of a stalled plane near the beginning of the movie, the plane goes into a spin. It crosses the screen twice, first below Lindbergh's parachute and then above, indicating that Lindbergh is falling faster than the plane (which is possible, since the plane is spiraling rather than falling straight down). However (as indicated by the loud noise heard off-camera), the plane somehow manages to hit the ground first.
The Spirit of St. Louis (1957)
1 other mistake - chronological order
Directed by: Billy Wilder
Starring: James Stewart, Murray Hamilton, Bartlett Robinson, Patricia Smith
Factual error: While flying across the U.S. before the Atlantic attempt Stewart lands and exits the plane. While doing a quick inspection of the airframe he approaches the engine and puts his hand on one of the radial engines cylinders which would have still been several hundred degrees, so should have resulted in a serious burn.
Father Hussman: How come I never see you around church? You don't believe?
Charles Lindbergh: Well, yes, I believe. I believe in an instrument panel, a pressure gauge, a compass, things I can see and touch. I can't touch God.
Father Hussman: You're not supposed to! He touches you.
Trivia: Jimmy Stewart was not the first person picked to play Lindbergh. Stewart at the time was in his mis-40's. The first person at the time the same age that Lindbergh was at the time in 1927, But the actor had been fired by the studio a few days before filming began. His name was Clint Eastwood. Stewart had to lose 25 pounds of weight and dye his hair light brown.
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