Air America is a 1990 Vietnam War comedy directed by Roger Spottiswoode and stars Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. as American civilian pilots who are employed by the CIA in a secret program that provided unofficial transportation of arms and goods into the country of Laos during the Vietnam conflict.
The following weapons were used in the film Air America:
A full-size Uzi is seen in the hands of Air America pilots Gene Ryack (Mel Gibson) and Babo (Tim Thomerson). The Uzi was officially adopted in 1951 by the Israeli Army. During this time period, the CIA purchased Uzis from FN in Europe and these were issued to special types, and there are reports of them being used by Air America/CIA personnel. Since the film takes place in 1969, it is not unreasonable that a gunrunner would be able to have one in Laos during the time of the Vietnam War.
The brother-in-law of Gene Ryack (Mel Gibson) offers a case of PPS-43 submachine guns for Gene to buy. Gene's brother-in-law says that the crate of PPS-43s were dropped to the Pathet Lao forces by the Russians and he was able to get them before the Pathet Lao did.
M16A1 rifles are arried by the soldiers under the command of Laotian General Soong (Burt Kwouk).
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of a raised rib around the magazine release button, changing of the forward Receiver pins, and the addition of the forward assist button on the upper receiver.Error creating thumbnail: File missingA Laotian soldier is seen carrying the M16A1 as they clear out the village to seize the poppy fields.
M1 Garand
M1 Garand rifles also are carried by the soldiers of Laotian General Soong.
What appears to be Charleville Muskets are used by a Laotian tribe. The problem with even using Flintlocks in a tropical environment is that the pan and frizzen are rendered unusable in the rain.
