Error creating thumbnail: File missing Red Tails (2012)
Red Tails is the 2012 World War II film that tells the true story of the 332nd Fighter Group, the fighter/bomber squadron composed of the first African-American combat pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. The film was co-executive produced by Star Wars creator George Lucas and stars Terrence Howard , Bryan Cranston , Gerald McRaney , and Cuba Gooding Jr. , who had previously appeared in 1995's The Tuskegee Airmen , another film about the squadron.
The following weapons appear in the film Red Tails :
Aircraft Armament
Browning M2 Aircraft
The Browning M2 Aircraft heavy machine gun appears in the film as the primary armament of U.S Army Air Corps fighters and bombers, including the P-40 Warhawks and P-51 Mustangs flown by the Tuskeegee Airmen who are the main protagonists of the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M2 Aircraft heavy machine gun .50 BMG
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A cockpit view as a P-40 Warhawk opens fire on an German transport train.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The M2s on the P-40 are mounted inside the wings just inside of the yellow stripes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The slots for ejecting empty shell casings and links can be seen in this shot.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A "Red Tail" splashes a German fighter.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The B-17G has either 12 or 13 M2s. (Some later B-17G variants removed the M2 in the radio room.)
Error creating thumbnail: File missing B-17 gunner mans the M2.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The top turret of a B-17.
MG131 Machine Gun
MG131 machine guns appear in the film as the primary armament of German Messerschmitt Me-109G fighters. Because it was much larger than the MG 17, the MG131 required bulges in the engine cowling, which can be seen below.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MG131 13x64mm B
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The bulges can be seen forward of the cockpit.
MG 151/20 cannon
The Me-109Gs in the film are also armed with MG151/20 cannons , seen in the underwing gondolas.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The MG 151 aircraft automatic cannon 15x96mm or 20x82mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The MG 151's are in the underwing gondolas.
MK 108 cannon
The German Me-262 jets are armed with four MK 108 cannons in the nose. Tests verified that only four hits from an MK 108 were necessary to take down a bomber. With an Me-262, that's a single salvo.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MK 108 cannon 30mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The gun ports for the MK 108 cannons in the nose of this doomed Me-262.
Small Arms
M1911A1
The pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group all carry M1911A1 pistols as part of their flight gear.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1911A1 .45 ACP
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Luger P08
The German officer at the prison camp draws what may be a Luger P08 when he discovers the escape.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Luger P08 - 9x19mm. This is blank adapted movie gun.
M1 Garand
The M1 Garand is also one of the weapons carried by American troops storming a beach.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing M1 Garand .30-06
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Karabiner 98k
German forces are seen using the Karabiner 98k to fire at the American planes.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier aims his Karabiner 98k at a pair of attacking P-40's
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A German soldier runs with his Karabiner 98k as an airfield is attacked. Note the fake "German" halftrack; as in Saving Private Ryan this is a postwar Czech clone, identifiable by the lack of stowage boxes above the tracks.
MP40
Numerous Germans, including most prison camp guards, carry the MP40
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm
M1919
An M1919 is seen when the American troops land on the beach.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning M1919 on M2 tripod - .30-06
Browning Automatic Rifle
The Browning Automatic Rifle is one of the weapons carried by American troops storming a beach.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Browning Automatic Rifle
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
MG34/42
Machine guns, either the MG34 or MG42 , are seen in twin mounts at the German airbase.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MG34 7.92x57mm Mauser with front and rear sights folded down.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser
MG15
What appears to be an MG15 is briefly seen mounted on Stukas at the German Airbase.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MG15 machine gun with 50-round drum 7.92x57mm Mauser
Other
20mm FlaK 38
Germans troops are seen firing 20mm FlaK 38 anti-aircraft guns.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German FlaK 38 in single mounting - 20x138mm B
Error creating thumbnail: File missing These are fitted with mesh brass catchers.
8.8cm FlaK 36
An 8.8cm heavy anti-aircraft / anti tank gun can be seen as American P-40s attack an air base. This appears to have a two-piece FlaK 36 barrel, though it is unclear which model of gun cradle it is using.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing German FlaK 36 (note two-piece barrel with locking collar) - 88x571mm R
Error creating thumbnail: File missing A FlaK 36 can be seen in the background to the left of the German officer. The gun further back seems to be a mocked-up fake.