The Delta Force is a 1986 action film directed by Menahem Golan that follows the actions of the elite US Special Forces unit under the command of Colonel Nick Alexander (Lee Marvin) and Major Scott McCoy (Chuck Norris) that is sent into Beirut to rescue the passengers aboard an airliner hijacked by Lebanese terrorists. The hijacking plot was loosely based on the real-life 1985 hijacking of TWA Flight 847. This film also marked the final acting role for Lee Marvin. The success of The Delta Force would spawn two sequels, 1990's Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection and 1991's Delta Force 3: The Killing Game.
The following weapons were used in the film The Delta Force:
The main weapon of the Delta Force is the Mini Uzi. The weapon is seen in the hands of Major Scott McCoy (Chuck Norris), Bobby (Steve James), Pete (William Wallace), and Colonel Nick Alexander (Lee Marvin). The submachine guns are seen used with and without suppressors. The Mini-Uzi was readily available to the armorers as The Delta Force was filmed primarily in Israel and this is one of the earliest appearances of the weapon in an English language feature film.
Abdul Rifi (Robert Forster) is seen armed with what appears to be a Colt M1911A1 while hijacking the plane. He also carries the pistol while in Beirut.
Col. Nick Alexander (Lee Marvin) uses what appears to be Colt Mk IV Series 70 (probably used as a substitute for the similar looking GI issue M1911A1). He notably uses to take out the terrorist holding the airliner's pilot and crew hostage. The pistol seen has a lowered ejection port - possibly a non-military issue Colt Mk IV Series 70, used as a double for a GI issue M1911A1). It looks to be modified with a selective fire switch on the left side of the pistol, on the slide grip. There is also Delta hammer, instead of the standard Spur hammer on his M1911.
The Browning Hi-Power is held to the head of Capt. Campbell (Bo Svenson) by the terrorist Jaffer (Avi Loziah). Some of the Delta Force operators also are armed with the pistol.
The terrorists and Lebanese militants are all armed AK-47-type rifles in the film. Israeli armorers provided the weaponry for this production, making it likely these are authentic AK rifles, rather than AKM or ARM rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingPoly Technologies AK-47 - 7.62x39mm. Though U.S. productions would use the Poly Tech Legend rifles, most Israeli productions would probably use real milled receiver AK-47s from IDF inventory.Error creating thumbnail: File missingSome of the militants are armed with AK rifles.
Trivia: The Israeli Blank Adapters
Some of the AK rifles used in the film have an extended muzzle nut visible. They are the BFAs (Blank Firing Adapters) used mostly by Israeli movie armorers. American movie armorers use blank firing adapters that are either hidden in the barrel or look just like the existing compensators or flash hiders on the issued firearms. Much like the 1988 film The Beast of War, these obvious BFAs indicate that a film was shot in Israel.
Another weapon carried by the terrorists and militants is the AKS-47 rifle with folding stocks. Abdul Rifi (Robert Forster) is notably armed with the rifle during the confrontation with McCoy.
During the film's opening, what appear to be M16A1 rifles are seen in the hands of the Delta Force soldiers at the Desert One staging area during Operation Eagle Claw in Iran in 1980. Similar rifles are seen in the hands of Lebanese militants in Beirut.
Galil ARM rifles are seen in the hands of Delta Force soldiers while at Desert One in Iran, in the first rescue attempt in Algeria, and in Israel when they were preparing for the second rescue attempt. Militants also carry the rifle.
Mounted on the passenger side of the Delta Force's Fast Attack Vehicles is the FN MAG. The stock has been removed from the machine gun and it is seen used by both Col. Alexander (Lee Marvin) and Pete Peterson (William Wallace).
A Browning M2 is mounted on the Soviet manufactured BTR-40 armored personnel carrier guarding the runway. Since the film was filmed in Israel it is likely that this vehicle was captured by the IDF during the Six Days War or the Yom Kippur War and loaned for film production.
Both Maj. McCoy and Bobby (Steve James) are seen using B-300 launchers to take out a militant leader. The B-300 was the Israeli-made precursor to the Mk 153 SMAW. In the film, the Israeli markings on the launcher were covered with tape.
B-300 - 82mmError creating thumbnail: File missingMaj. McCoy and Bobby prepare to use B-300 launchers. Notice how the writing on the tube that would've identified it as a B-300 is conveniently taped over. The bazooka-style flared muzzle is an optional accessory for the B-300.Error creating thumbnail: File missingThe launchers are fired.
B-10 Recoilless Rifle
Militants attempt to use what appears to be a B-10 recoilless rifle as the Delta Force raid the hideout. Major McCoy later takes out the team and uses the launcher.
Some of the Fast Attack Vehicles used by the Delta Force can be seen armed with BGM-71 TOW missiles mounted on their roofs. These appear to just be a TOW launcher's launch tube assembly with a pyro charge rigged up inside the barrel, without a missile casing or sighting unit fitted.
Abdul Rifi initially hijacks the plane armed with an M1911 and a Mills Bomb. A militant also tries to toss one in a stairwell as the Delta Force tries to get the passengers out.
One of the specialized vehicles utilized by the Delta Force in Beirut is a motorcycle outfitted with submachine guns, forward mounted rockets, and rear-mounted mortars. McCoy uses throughout the latter part of the film.
