During the debates in the White House, it is mentioned what type of aircraft should replace or augment the U2 to make reconnaissance flights; a "Navy P8U" is mentioned, possibly what was meant as the correct type was F8U, the F8U-IP Crusader, was a fighter aircraft modified for reconnaissance photography. The type served in the Naval Air Service from 1956 until 1999 in the carrier fleet.
Credited only as "American General," the Major General giving the briefing in actuality would have been the Tactical Air Command Chief, 4-star General Walter C. Sweeney, whose briefing included the guarantee of only 90% destruction of the sites. Though President Kennedy had already finalized plans for a quarantine, Kennedy nonetheless directed that air strikes be ready on standby on the morning of October 22. This information is contained in Secretary of Defense McNamara's, and others' notes and transcripts of the meeting.
President Kennedy's address to the nation is shown as being made from the Oval Office, with the windows behind the President's desk visible in the TV picture. While the actual address did originate from that location, a neutral gray backdrop was placed behind the President's chair, so none of the real background is visible in the tape of the actual telecast.
In some of the briefly seen views of General Curtis LeMay's decorations, a few errors are readily apparent. The highly visible and distinctive diagonally-striped blue & white British Distinguished Flying Cross from his Eagle Squadron service is not seen. There should be a blue striped Air Force Longevity of Service ribbon with devices for years of service as well as a World War II Victory Medal. There is no National Defense yellow/red ribbon and a common error shows him with the Good Conduct ribbon which was awarded only to enlisted persons. He wears no Air Medal or Distinguished Service Cross and the order of his decorations contain errors too numerous to mention in their precedence.
In one of the Oval Office meetings with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the remark that: "You're in a pretty bad fix, Mr. President," is erroneously attributed to Marine Corps General Shoup. In actuality, it was uttered by General Curtis LeMay prompting the President's well-known response, "Well, you're in it with me."
In the Red Square military parade showing Russian armor, the T-62 tanks are shown running backwards.
The Army General Maxwell Taylor was shown in several scenes, but most prominently around the Cabinet table in the oval office with the right epaulet end showing from under his collar. Military uniforms are purposefully made with adequate tab length to conceal it under the collar, so that members must be "in uniform" at all times. No member of such high rank would miss checking this action, to be certain of this placement before a mirror, prior to appearing at such important meetings.
When President Kennedy addresses the nation, the camera is a Philips PC-70 color camera which was not available until several years later. The actual address was televised with two RCA TK-30 black-and-white cameras (the second was a backup).
General Maxwell Taylor's uniform has a khaki tie with his Service Greens, The U.S. Army changed back to a black tie just before the Korean War. And the Greens never had a khaki tie.