related film in the area. Birch Williams, an American living  expat in Ireland, was the owner of the period planes Corman leased  for the production. He was so interested in and excited by what  Corman was doing that he decided to make a similar film himself,  using his own planes. Unfortunately, there was a midair mishap, and  Williams and two pilots were killed. In response, the Irish  government shut down all film flying, and the insurance company  cancelled Cormans policy. It took several days of negotiation to  get their status restored, and to resume production.