John Monk Saunders, who wrote the original story for "Wings," was a real-life aviator who knew exactly what went on in that first air war. So did the film's young director, 31-year-old William Wellman, an American who already had fought in the French Foreign Legion and had actually flown with France's legendary Lafayette Escadrille. After the war, he made a living as a stunt pilot in air shows before turning to the movies. For that reason, he wanted "Wings" to be as realistic and honest as possible in replicating aerial combat.