On Wings of Eagles is a 1986 two-part mini-series, based on real events/persons, taking place during the 1979 Iranian revolution. Two employees of American computer company EDS are falsely imprisoned by local authorities and held for ransom while the country falls into chaos.
Under the circumstances, EDS CEO Ross Perot (Richard Crenna) has no other option but to employ the services of retired Lieutenant Colonel Arthur E. 'Bull' Simons (Burt Lancaster). He devises a plan to lead a team of local EDS employees to return to Iran and free their colleagues.
While most of the movie is set in the country of Iran, it is interesting to note that it was actually shot mostly in Mexico so some of the actors and extras were Mexicans. Some of the military equipment used in the film was also provided by Mexican film studios as well as the regional police and armed forces.
The following weapons can be seen in the miniseries On Wings of Eagles:
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur E. 'Bull' Simons organizes a weapons training for the EDS team with the Walther P1 in preparation for rescue mission. The gun is also seen in the hands of revolutionaries in some scenes.
The Colt M1911A1 pistol can be seen during weapons training in the USA and among the weapons stock that the EDS team assembles in their Teheran safe house.
Several Revolutionary Guards, most prominently Mohammad (Kabir Bedi), as well as Joe Poche of the rescue team are seen with the IMI Uzi throughout the movie.
The M3/M3A1 “Grease Gun” with a custom barrel shroud is seen used by both revolutionaries and EDS staff alike. All shots are from the left side so it’s impossible to say if it concerns the M3 or M3A1 variant.
Error creating thumbnail: File missingM3 "Grease Gun" - .45 ACP. The later model M3A1 would eliminate the crank lever for cocking the bolt, and instead used a simple hole in the bolt for the shooter to use their finger.Error creating thumbnail: File missingTo the right, a revolutionary can be seen holding an M3/M3A1 as a mob storms a local prison.Error creating thumbnail: File missingAn EDS staff member carries several M3/M3A1’s as the EDS plane prepares to take off for Iran.Error creating thumbnail: File missingIn Teheran, an M 3/M3A1 can be seen among guns being prepared for use during the rescue attempt.
Spitfire Carbine
Revolutionaries can be seen with Spitfire Carbines with the foregrip moved somewhat to the front of the barrel as opposed to the standard model. The movie was shot in Mexico and this gun was used by Mexican police forces so these guns were probably sourced locally.
In several scenes, revolutionaries can be seen holding bolt action rifles. With this movie being shot in Mexico, it is most logical to assume these are VZ-24 Czech Mausers used by the Mexican army in the 1930’s/40’s.
'Bull' Simons can be seen with an unidentified rifle around his country home. Later on, it also appears in Teheran in the hands of Joe Poche who eliminates several prison guards with it.
The FN FAL is seen in most scenes, most notably in the hands of local EDS employee Rashid (Esai Morales). It’s standing in for the Heckler & Koch G3 that was/is the service rifle for the Iranian army.
In a number of scenes, Iranian government troops can be seen using the Heckler & Koch G3. As the movie was shot in Mexico, these are probably regular Mexican military staff using their G3 service rifle.
Most Kurdish fighters carry the AKM as their standard side arm, most notably ‘The Large Kurd’ (Miguel Ángel Fuentes) who uses it to deadly effect on government troops.
A Mendoza M1934 LMG can be seen at the last checkpoint before the border. This movie was shot in Mexico so the gun’s rather out-of-place appearance is easily explained.
The pump-action shotgun can be seen in the hands of embassy guards as well as in the weapons assembled by the EDS team at the safe house. On closer inspection, it appears to be one of the many variations of the Marlin Model 1898.
A Winchester Model 1897 with a pistol grip is the side arm of ‘Bull’ Simons, both during the training in the US as well as during the rescue operation in Iran. Several embassy guards can be seen with the Winchester Model 1897 defending the location against revolutionaries.
An unidentified shotgun (resemble the Winchester Model 1912) can be seen at ‘Bull’ Simon’s house near the fireplace. It is never taken off the wall and may thus be a prop.
The Kurdish fighter identified as ‘The Large Kurd’ carries an impressive bayonet in his belt. It can be identified as the bayonet for the Gras M80 Model 1874 rifle due to the pointed end of the scabbard, the curved handguard (to allow rifles to stand against eachother) and the wooden/brass grip.
