 Winning Your Wings was directed by Owen Crump , and featured James Stewart as a dashing pilot . Stewart 's virile , masculine portrayal changed the public perception of military aviators . The film , which was completed in only two weeks , was a great success and according to General Arnold was pivotal in recruiting 100 @,@ 000 pilots . Warner Bros. would produce several films prior to the activation of the FMPU , most notably Men of the Sky , Beyond the Line of Duty and The Rear Gunner . 
