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__TOC__<br clear-all> | __TOC__<br clear-all> | ||
=Rifles= | |||
==XM16E1 Rifle== | ==XM16E1 Rifle== | ||
The [[M16 rifle series#XM16E1 Rifle|XM16E1 assault rifles]] are used by the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]), First Lieutenant Charlie Hastings (Robert Bagnell), Second Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan ([[Chris Klein]]), Sergeant Ernie Savage ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and most U.S. Army soldiers. Later on the film during the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray, Joe Galloway ([[Barry Pepper]]) uses one as well. Many rifles used in this movie were not actual XM16E1s. The historical XM16E1s had only a partial magazine fence. Many rifles were actually M16A1s mocked up to look like XM16E1s, modified with chromed bolt carriers and 3 prong flash hiders. Apparently there were a few original receiver marked XM16E1s in the mix. | The [[M16 rifle series#XM16E1 Rifle|XM16E1 assault rifles]] are used by the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore ([[Mel Gibson]]), First Lieutenant Charlie Hastings (Robert Bagnell), Second Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan ([[Chris Klein]]), Sergeant Ernie Savage ([[Ryan Hurst]]) and most U.S. Army soldiers. Later on the film during the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray, Joe Galloway ([[Barry Pepper]]) uses one as well. Many rifles used in this movie were not actual XM16E1s. The historical XM16E1s had only a partial magazine fence. Many rifles were actually M16A1s mocked up to look like XM16E1s, modified with chromed bolt carriers and 3 prong flash hiders. Apparently there were a few original receiver marked XM16E1s in the mix. | ||
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[[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN04a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter points his M1 Carbine at the captured NVA soldier. Note the bayonet lug.]] | [[Image:WWS-M1CarbineARVN04a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The South Vietnamese interpreter points his M1 Carbine at the captured NVA soldier. Note the bayonet lug.]] | ||
==AK-47== | |||
In the film, the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) aka the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) used [[AK-47]]s with milled receivers. As per the actual battle, we also see several Viet Cong units carrying the same rifle. Real Soviet AK-47s were impossible to get in the U.S. for many years. After the fall of communism, milled receiver AK-47 parts kits were available on the market, and authentic AK-47s were built for the film (using American made milled receivers using the proper markings) and the original Soviet built parts. The AK-47s used in the movie were built by legendary Movie Armorer [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0660143/ Mike Papac]. | |||
[[Image:AK47WeWereSoldiersHeroGun.jpg|thumb|none|600px|'''Actual Screen used AK-47''' from the film [[We Were Soldiers]] (built by Cinema Weaponry) - 7.62x39mm. The armorers ran out of time before they could fully finish the finish on the wood forearm, pistol grips and stocks for the film.]] | |||
[[Image:WWS AK47Hilla.jpg |thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers fire their AK-47s.]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-AK47NightA.jpg |thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier moves in the dark with a AK-47.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-128590.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Vietcong gets shot and drops his AK-47. Note bayonet attached.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-128779.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A PAVN (People's Army of Viet Nam) soldier reloads his AK-47.]] | |||
[[Image:Pavn.ak-47.bayonet.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same scared PAVN soldier rushes through the jungle and tries to bayonet Lt. Col. Moore.]] | |||
[[Image:pavn.soldier.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same PAVN soldier gets hit in the head by a single round from Moore's XM16E1. Note the milled receiver.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-156900.jpg|thumb|none|600px|NVA soldiers armed with AK-47s.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-158010.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A pile of AK-47s.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-106465.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the receiver of the AK-47 carried by an NVA soldier who gets killed by the charging Americans. Note how the safety is on.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-158182.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier aims his AK-47 at the US Army soldiers when they charge on the NVA position.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-113810.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier gets killed by the Huey helicopters and their M134 miniguns. All while still firing his AK.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-114077.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The same NVA soldier from the above screen-cap gets thrown across a wagon. Notice how he has his [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pith_helmet Pith helmet] back on.]] | |||
==SKS Rifle== | |||
Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use [[SKS rifle]]s during intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang. | |||
[[Image:Simonov-Russian-SKS45.jpg|thumb|none|500px|SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-26996.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh soldiers rush the French in the intro of the movie. Note how you can see a Kar98k in the background.]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-SKSVietMinh.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier holds his SKS to a French soldier.]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-SKS01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh officer picks up an French Bungle during the intro.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-23999.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier rushes the French with his SKS rifle.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-25555.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier with his SKS.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-28285.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier before being blown up by a French grenade.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-28497.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh to the left-center is armed with a SKS rifle.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-77472.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier comes out of a underground base armed with an SKS rifle.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-49825.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier rushes the french during the intro.]] | |||
[[Image:Sks.124564367.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA or Vietcong soldier runs around with his SKS while the Ia Drang valley burns in the background by the napalm bombs dropped by U.S. Air Force planes.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-99460.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier armed with an SKS creeps through the dark.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-92508.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two NVA soldiers tending after their DShK. Which is in reality an American M2. The soldier on the left has an SKS. The one on the right has an AK-47 like the rest of the NVA soldiers in the background.]] | |||
==Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine== | |||
During the intro sequence a Viet Minh soldier can be seen with a [[Mosin Nagant Rifle|Mosin Nagant M44 carbine]]. | |||
[[Image:M44Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Mosin-Nagant M44 Carbine - 7.62x54mmR]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-M44Carbine.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Viet Minh soldier in the center of the screen-cap has an M44 carbine while the other Viet Minh soldier has a Kar98k.]] | |||
==Karabiner 98k== | |||
A Viet Minh soldier during the intro sequence and a Vietcong soldier later on can be seen using [[Karabiner 98k]] rifles. It should be noted that according to one of the Armorers of the film, Steve Karnes, the Kar98ks used in the movie came from Israel and were chambered to 7.62x51mm NATO. | |||
[[Image:Karabiner-98K.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Karabiner 98k - 7.92x57mm Mauser]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-K98Rifle.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Kar98K is carried by one of Viet Minh soldiers.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-70352.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Vietcong with a Kar98k.]] | |||
=Machine Guns= | |||
==M60 Machine Gun== | ==M60 Machine Gun== | ||
The [[M60 machine gun]] is used by several US soldiers. Various door gunners use them as well. Specialist 4 Russell Adams and his assistant gunner Specialist 4 Bill Beck also use an M60 in a deleted scene. | The [[M60 machine gun]] is used by several US soldiers. Various door gunners use them as well. Specialist 4 Russell Adams and his assistant gunner Specialist 4 Bill Beck also use an M60 in a deleted scene. | ||
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[[Image:Vlcsnap-106362.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A door gunner fires his M60.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-106362.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A door gunner fires his M60.]] | ||
==Browning M1919A4== | |||
Two [[Browning M1919A4]]s can be seen mounted on French jeeps on the intro sequence. | |||
[[File:M1919A4 pintle.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Browning M1919A4 on an M31C pedestal mount - .30-06]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-Browning30Cal.jpg |thumb|none|600px|A French soldier fires the Browning M1919A4 at Viet Minh forces.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-23377.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Browning M1919A4 can be seen mounted on the jeep on the left.]] | |||
==GE M134 Minigun== | |||
A pair of [[GE M134 Minigun]]s are seen mounted on the gunship Hueys that rip apart PAVN soldiers in the climax of the film, and one is also on display on a table near the beginning of the film. | |||
[[Image:M134.JPG|thumb|none|500px|GE M134 Minigun - 7.62x51mm NATO]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-38494.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The AirCav officers admire the M134 Minigun before Moore briefs them on their mission.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-114448.jpg|thumb|none|600px|One Huey helicopter fires its mounted M134.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-117926.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A M134 Minigun mounted on a UH-1 helicopter.]] | |||
==Degtyaryov DP-28 Machine Gun== | |||
In the scene where the men of the 1st Cavalry Division perform a bayonet charge against the NVA position (an event which actually didn't happen in real life), a small crew of PAVN soldiers man a DP-28, a variant of the Soviet [[Degtyaryov DP Series Machine Gun|Degtyaryov light machine gun]]. | |||
[[Image:DP-28.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Degtyaryov DP-28 - 7.62x54mmR]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-DP28.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Degtyaryov DP-28 machine gun is glimpsed as Moore's troops advance.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-163052.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A DP-28 is seen among the fallen NVA soldiers as the Huey gunship continues to fire.]] | |||
==RPD Light Machine Gun== | |||
During the Battle of Ia Drang, one PAVN soldier can be seen carrying an [[RPD light machine gun]]. | |||
[[Image:RPD-Light-Machine-Gun.jpg|thumb|none|500px|RPD - 7.62x39mm]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-72255.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carries an [RPD to the left of the screen-cap.]] | |||
==ZB26 Light Machine Gun== | |||
A [[ZB26 Machine Gun]] is used by a Viet Minh machine gunner during the opening sequence of the film set during the Indochina War. According to Steve Karnes, the movie's Armorer, the ZB26 used in the movie was sold to the Chinese and converted to 7.62x39 later in its life. It also has Chinese characters on the side of the receiver. Another one is used by an Vietcong fighter during the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Ia_Drang Battle of Ia Drang]. | |||
[[Image:ZB-26.jpg|thumb|none|500px|ZB26 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-ZB26-01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A close-up of the ZB26 in the hands of a Viet Minh Soldier.]] | |||
[[Image:WWS-ZB26 02a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Another shot of the same scene]] | |||
==MG34 Machine Gun== | |||
When the American Soldiers charge the NVA position, a two man crew of NVA soldiers man an [[MG34]] machine gun before they get killed by the Huey helicopters. One NVA soldier also mans another MG34 in the same scene. | |||
[[Image:Mg-34.jpg|thumb|none|500px|MG34 - 7.92x57mm Mauser]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-158234.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Two NVA soldiers man an MG34 machine gun.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-158338.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A different NVA machine gunner aims his MG34 at the oncoming American forces.]] | |||
==Fake DShK Heavy Machine Gun== | |||
A fake [[DShK heavy machine gun]] is seen manned by an NVA machine gun team in the final battle before being wasted by the Huey helicopters. The DShK seen in the film is actually an [[Browning M2|Browning M2HB]] machine gun mocked up to look like a DShK. | |||
[[Image:Browning-M2-Heavy-Barrel-w-Tripod.jpg|thumb|none|500px|Browning M2HB .50 BMG on M3 tripod.]] | |||
[[Image:DSHK.jpg|thumb|none|500px|DShK 12.7x109mm on tripod.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-157072.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A PAVN soldier cocks the fake DShK in the final sequence of the movie. Note the M2 charging handle in the right side of the receiver, showing that the DShK is actually a Browning M2HB.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-158101.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The NVA machine gun team from the above screencap aims the fake DShK.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-119805.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The M2HB after the machine gun team gets killed by the UH-1 Iroquois helicopters.]] | |||
=Handguns= | |||
==M1911== | ==M1911== | ||
A Colt [[M1911 pistol series#M1911|M1911]] is used by Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley ([[Sam Elliott]]) as his main weapon since he prefers the .45 over the M-16; When Moore praises the latter, Plumley says, "Bah, it's plastic...feels like a bb gun to me. I think I'll stick with my pistol." It is not common to see the first model of the M1911 being used by Plumley, since the M1911 was replaced in 1924 by the improved [[M1911 pistol series#M1911A1|M1911A1]] which was the sidearm of the US Military in the Vietnam War, World War II and the Korean War, however they did appear on occasion, usually under special circumstances. | A Colt [[M1911 pistol series#M1911|M1911]] is used by Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley ([[Sam Elliott]]) as his main weapon since he prefers the .45 over the M-16; When Moore praises the latter, Plumley says, "Bah, it's plastic...feels like a bb gun to me. I think I'll stick with my pistol." It is not common to see the first model of the M1911 being used by Plumley, since the M1911 was replaced in 1924 by the improved [[M1911 pistol series#M1911A1|M1911A1]] which was the sidearm of the US Military in the Vietnam War, World War II and the Korean War, however they did appear on occasion, usually under special circumstances. | ||
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[[Image:Vlcsnap-133597.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier with his M1911A1.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-133597.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A soldier with his M1911A1.]] | ||
== | ==Smith & Wesson Model 15== | ||
The .38 caliber revolver pulled out by Maj. Bruce "Snake Shit" Crandall ([[Greg Kinnear]]) is most likely a Smith & Wesson Model 15 snubnose. In 2007, the real Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. | |||
[[Image: | [[Image:M15M07.jpg|thumb|none|350px|Smith & Wesson Model 15 with 2" barrel - .38 Special.]] | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:Vlcsnap-113243.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The Model 153 in Snake Shit's holster when he gets out of his Huey at Regiment Headquarters.]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap- | [[Image:Revolver WWS.JPG|thumb|none|600px|"You have the balls to face me and not the balls to face the enemy?!" Crandall pulls his Model 15 after he gets reprimanded by a medevac pilot.]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-113651.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Another shot of the same scene.]] | |||
=Submachine Guns= | |||
==PPSh-41== | ==PPSh-41== | ||
The NVA and the Vietcong use [[PPSh-41 / PPS-43#PPSh-41|PPSh-41]]s submachine guns during the intro sequence and the rest of the movie, with both the standard drum magazine and 35-round box magazines. | The NVA and the Vietcong use [[PPSh-41 / PPS-43#PPSh-41|PPSh-41]]s submachine guns during the intro sequence and the rest of the movie, with both the standard drum magazine and 35-round box magazines. | ||
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[[Image:Vlcsnap-31089.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets blown up by a French grenade while his PPS-43 falls to the ground.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-31089.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier gets blown up by a French grenade while his PPS-43 falls to the ground.]] | ||
== | ==MAS-36 Rifle== | ||
In the | In the opening scene where the French soldiers are ambushed during the French-Indochinese War, various French soldiers use [[MAS-36]] rifles. | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:MAS36.jpg|thumb|none|500px|MAS-36 - 7.5x54mm French]] | ||
[[Image:WWS | [[Image:WWS-MASRifle01a.jpg|thumb|none|600px|The French convoy gets ambushed.]] | ||
[[Image:WWS- | [[Image:WWS-MAS36Fireball.jpg |thumb|none|600px|Two French soldiers armed with MAS-36 rifles.]] | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:WWS-MASRifle02a.jpg |thumb|none|600px|Two French soldiers fire their MAS-36 rifles.]] | ||
[[Image: | [[Image:WWS-MAS36Shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A French soldier gets shot while holding a MAS-36 rifle.]] | ||
[[ | |||
[[Image: | =Other= | ||
[[Image: | ==M26 Hand Grenades== | ||
In several scenes, U.S. soldiers can be seen with [[M26 hand grenade]]s strapped to their pouches. | |||
[[Image:200px-M-67handgrenade.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M26 High-Explosive Fragmentation hand grenade.]] | |||
[[Image:Vlcsnap- | [[Image:WWSM26Frag.JPG|thumb|none|600px|A production photo of Captain Tony Nadal ([[Jsu Garcia]]) and his RTO patrol the battlefield with M16s in hand and M26 hand grenades strapped to their pouches. Note the trigger discipline - fingers resting alongside the trigger guard.]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-93047.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Members of Sgt. Savage's squad drag a wounded soldier to cover. Three M26 grenades can be seen attached to webbing.]] | |||
==M79 Grenade Launcher== | ==M79 Grenade Launcher== | ||
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[[Image:Vlcsnap-40534.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Bungum's M79 slung over his back.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-40534.jpg|thumb|none|600px|Bungum's M79 slung over his back.]] | ||
==M1928A1 Thompson== | ==M1928A1 Thompson== | ||
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[[Image:M1928-A1 T.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round box magazine - .45 ACP]] | [[Image:M1928-A1 T.jpg|thumb|none|500px|M1928A1 Thompson with 30-round box magazine - .45 ACP]] | ||
[[Image:Vlcsnap-79844.jpg|thumb|none|600px|"Gary Owen!" An ARVN soldier with an M1928A1 Thompson as well as other U.S. soldiers cheer the rest of the 1st Cavalry as they prepare to enter the Ia Drang Valley.]] | [[Image:Vlcsnap-79844.jpg|thumb|none|600px|"Gary Owen!" An ARVN soldier with an M1928A1 Thompson as well as other U.S. soldiers cheer the rest of the 1st Cavalry as they prepare to enter the Ia Drang Valley.]] | ||
==MAT-49== | ==MAT-49== | ||
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[[Image:WWS.rpg-2.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carrying the RPG-2 prepares to engage the American forces. The soldier is wearing a protective hood and goggles worn to protect himself from the blast when firing the rocket.]] | [[Image:WWS.rpg-2.shot.jpg|thumb|none|600px|An NVA soldier carrying the RPG-2 prepares to engage the American forces. The soldier is wearing a protective hood and goggles worn to protect himself from the blast when firing the rocket.]] | ||
==M1A1 "Bazooka"== | ==M1A1 "Bazooka"== | ||
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[[Image:WWS-RocketLauncherA.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier fires at French soldiers with a M1A1 "Bazooka". Note the modified rear sight and how it has only one grip.]] | [[Image:WWS-RocketLauncherA.jpg|thumb|none|600px|A Viet Minh soldier fires at French soldiers with a M1A1 "Bazooka". Note the modified rear sight and how it has only one grip.]] | ||
== Hispano-Suiza HS.404 == | == Hispano-Suiza HS.404 == | ||
Revision as of 21:19, 5 May 2013
We Were Soldiers is a 2002 Vietnam War film based on the book We Were Soldiers Once...And Young by Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, US Army (ret.) and former UPI reporter Joe Galloway that chronicled the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam in the Ia Drang Valley in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Gen. Moore, in the documentary seen on the DVD, states that this film is the only one which gets "[the Vietnam War] right." The film was directed by Randall Wallace (The Man in the Iron Mask) and stars Mel Gibson, Barry Pepper, and Sam Elliott.
The following weapons were used in the film We Were Soldiers:
Rifles
XM16E1 Rifle
The XM16E1 assault rifles are used by the soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore (Mel Gibson), First Lieutenant Charlie Hastings (Robert Bagnell), Second Lieutenant Jack Geoghegan (Chris Klein), Sergeant Ernie Savage (Ryan Hurst) and most U.S. Army soldiers. Later on the film during the Battle of Landing Zone X-Ray, Joe Galloway (Barry Pepper) uses one as well. Many rifles used in this movie were not actual XM16E1s. The historical XM16E1s had only a partial magazine fence. Many rifles were actually M16A1s mocked up to look like XM16E1s, modified with chromed bolt carriers and 3 prong flash hiders. Apparently there were a few original receiver marked XM16E1s in the mix.
M16 Rifle
Supplementing the large number of XM16E1 rifles built for the production by Cinema Weaponry are some slab side M16 rifles (or unaltered Colt SP1 rifles, which look the same). To the left of the stack (in the screencap) is a slab sided rifle with no forward assist on the upper receiver or magazine fencing on the lower receiver.
M1 Carbine
A Korean War-era M1 Carbine is carried by the ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the formal title of South Vietnam) interpreter dressed in tiger stripe fatigues. He appears in the scene in which the NVA scout is captured and interrogated. Viet Minh soldiers also use them against the French during the intro.
AK-47
In the film, the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) aka the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam) used AK-47s with milled receivers. As per the actual battle, we also see several Viet Cong units carrying the same rifle. Real Soviet AK-47s were impossible to get in the U.S. for many years. After the fall of communism, milled receiver AK-47 parts kits were available on the market, and authentic AK-47s were built for the film (using American made milled receivers using the proper markings) and the original Soviet built parts. The AK-47s used in the movie were built by legendary Movie Armorer Mike Papac.
SKS Rifle
Several Viet Minh soldiers and NVA soldiers use SKS rifles during intro sequence and during the Battle of Ia Drang.
Mosin Nagant M44 Carbine
During the intro sequence a Viet Minh soldier can be seen with a Mosin Nagant M44 carbine.
Karabiner 98k
A Viet Minh soldier during the intro sequence and a Vietcong soldier later on can be seen using Karabiner 98k rifles. It should be noted that according to one of the Armorers of the film, Steve Karnes, the Kar98ks used in the movie came from Israel and were chambered to 7.62x51mm NATO.
Machine Guns
M60 Machine Gun
The M60 machine gun is used by several US soldiers. Various door gunners use them as well. Specialist 4 Russell Adams and his assistant gunner Specialist 4 Bill Beck also use an M60 in a deleted scene.
Browning M1919A4
Two Browning M1919A4s can be seen mounted on French jeeps on the intro sequence.
GE M134 Minigun
A pair of GE M134 Miniguns are seen mounted on the gunship Hueys that rip apart PAVN soldiers in the climax of the film, and one is also on display on a table near the beginning of the film.
Degtyaryov DP-28 Machine Gun
In the scene where the men of the 1st Cavalry Division perform a bayonet charge against the NVA position (an event which actually didn't happen in real life), a small crew of PAVN soldiers man a DP-28, a variant of the Soviet Degtyaryov light machine gun.
RPD Light Machine Gun
During the Battle of Ia Drang, one PAVN soldier can be seen carrying an RPD light machine gun.
ZB26 Light Machine Gun
A ZB26 Machine Gun is used by a Viet Minh machine gunner during the opening sequence of the film set during the Indochina War. According to Steve Karnes, the movie's Armorer, the ZB26 used in the movie was sold to the Chinese and converted to 7.62x39 later in its life. It also has Chinese characters on the side of the receiver. Another one is used by an Vietcong fighter during the Battle of Ia Drang.
MG34 Machine Gun
When the American Soldiers charge the NVA position, a two man crew of NVA soldiers man an MG34 machine gun before they get killed by the Huey helicopters. One NVA soldier also mans another MG34 in the same scene.
Fake DShK Heavy Machine Gun
A fake DShK heavy machine gun is seen manned by an NVA machine gun team in the final battle before being wasted by the Huey helicopters. The DShK seen in the film is actually an Browning M2HB machine gun mocked up to look like a DShK.
Handguns
M1911
A Colt M1911 is used by Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley (Sam Elliott) as his main weapon since he prefers the .45 over the M-16; When Moore praises the latter, Plumley says, "Bah, it's plastic...feels like a bb gun to me. I think I'll stick with my pistol." It is not common to see the first model of the M1911 being used by Plumley, since the M1911 was replaced in 1924 by the improved M1911A1 which was the sidearm of the US Military in the Vietnam War, World War II and the Korean War, however they did appear on occasion, usually under special circumstances.
M1911A1
A Colt M1911A1 is seen in the holster of Lt. Col. Hal Moore and most of the soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division that appear in the movie. Some soldiers use the M1911A1s.
Smith & Wesson Model 15
The .38 caliber revolver pulled out by Maj. Bruce "Snake Shit" Crandall (Greg Kinnear) is most likely a Smith & Wesson Model 15 snubnose. In 2007, the real Crandall was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Ia Drang Valley.
Submachine Guns
PPSh-41
The NVA and the Vietcong use PPSh-41s submachine guns during the intro sequence and the rest of the movie, with both the standard drum magazine and 35-round box magazines.
PPS-43
The Viet Minh uses PPS-43 submachine guns along side their SKS's and PPSh-41s to kill the French soldiers in the intro sequence that takes place in 1954 in the Indochina War. During the rest of the movie, the PAVN (People's Army of Vietnam, the formal name of the PAVN. Also known as the North Vietnamese Army or NVA.) and Vietcong (Informal name for the National Liberation Front, or NLF.) use the PPS-43 sub machine guns against US Army soldiers in the Battle of Ia Drang.
MAS-36 Rifle
In the opening scene where the French soldiers are ambushed during the French-Indochinese War, various French soldiers use MAS-36 rifles.
Other
M26 Hand Grenades
In several scenes, U.S. soldiers can be seen with M26 hand grenades strapped to their pouches.
M79 Grenade Launcher
Various US soldiers can be seen carrying M79 grenade launchers in a few scenes. Specialist Galen Bungum (Blake Heron) uses one since he is the grenadier of Sergeant Savage's squad.
M1928A1 Thompson
As the American soldiers are heading off for battle you can see a ARVN soldier holding up an M1928A1 Thompson with a 20-round magazine.
MAT-49
Various French Soldiers use MAT-49 submachine guns during the opening Scene. Various NVA and VC soldiers use them during the rest of the movie, probably scavenged from French and South Vietnamese troops during the Indochina war.
RPG-2
An NVA rocketeer is seen firing an RPG-2 (Vietnamese made version was known as the B-40) against the American forces. The soldier is wearing a protective hood and goggles worn to protect the shooter from the blast when firing the rocket.
M1A1 "Bazooka"
A Viet Minh soldier uses an M1A1 "Bazooka" with a modified rear sight to destroy a French jeep during the intro sequence. While it seems that a Viet Minh soldier using a Bazooka could be an anachronism, the French army widely used the M1A1, M9A1 "Bazookas" and M20 "Super Bazooka" during the Indochina War. The Viet Minh widely used scavenged French weapons during the Indochina War, and the PAVN and Vietcong also widely used them during the Vietnam War.
Hispano-Suiza HS.404
The M2 autocannon, the American license-built version of the Hispano-Suiza HS.404 appears in the film as the gun armament of US Air Force A-1H "Sandy" ground-attack planes that respond to the "broken arrow" call, making strafing runs on advancing Vietnamese infantry.
Colt Mk 12 Cannon
The Colt Mk 12 cannon can be seen in the film as the gun armament on a US Navy A-4 Skyhawk responding to the "broken arrow" call, strafing enemy infantry during low-level passes.
Browning Hi-Power Pistol
During the Intro of the Movie set during the Indochina War, a French Officer (Foreign Legionnaire) uses his sidearm, a Browning Hi-Power, to kill several Viet Minh soldiers before being killed himself. The use of the Browning Hi-Power pistol by the French Army in the movie is an error. The armorers couldn't get an appropriate French military pistol and since Hi-Powers were at the region, the armorers used those instead.
M34 White Phosphorous Grenade
A wounded NVA soldier is seen throwing an M34 White Phosphorous grenade (known during the war as "Willie Pete") at Sergeant Forrester, severely wounding him.
Chinese Type 67 Stick Grenade
Chinese Type 67 Stick Grenade (aka Chinese Type II Grenades) are seen in chest pouches on NVA soldiers and in one scene is thrown near wounded American Soldiers. A brave soldier jumps on it to save his comrades.
Winchester Model 12 Field Gun
In a deleted scene, Bungum's wife uses a Winchester Model 12 Take Down Field Gun to shoot skeet.
Notes
There are several errors also in the uniforms of French troops:
- No lieutenant from "troupes de Marine" (2 golden horizontal stripes on bleu) would have a white kepi (Kepi blanc for Foreign Legion soldiers only, excluding NCOs and officers)
- The red berets are worn the wrong way (Insignia on the right in France for all the Army. Only exception French Navy Commando green berets)
- Insignia on the red berets are wrong (infantry instead of paratroopers)
- Although the battle would last more than 300 days, the movie covers only the initial engagement, the first time the US used the Air Mobile Infantry (called "the helicopter soldiers" by a Vietnamese officer) in combat. Over 3 days, Moore's regiment suffered the loss of 72 out of his 395 men and were responsible for over 1800 enemy soldiers KIA out of 4,000. The utterly lop-sided casualty figures helped to convince Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and Vietnam theater commander Gen. William Westmoreland that the communist North Vietnamese could be persuaded to give up their attempt to conquer the South using attrition tactics. Events, of course, would prove this strategy disastrous.