Iron Eagle (1986)

Iron Eagle (1986)

Iron Eagle is a 1986 action film starring Jason Gedrick as Doug Masters, a high school senior and student pilot who is told that his father, a USAF colonel, has been shot down and held prisoner in a hostile Middle Eastern country. With the help of retired USAF Colonel Charles "Chappy" Sinclair (Louis Gossett Jr.), Doug uses his connections on the USAF base he lives on to mount an unauthorized covert mission to rescue his father. Directed by Sidney J. Furie, Iron Eagle was filmed with the assistance of the Israeli Air Force and is notable for the use of actual F-16 Fighting Falcon jets during the production. The film would also spawn three sequels, including 1988's Iron Eagle II, 1992's Aces: Iron Eagle III, and 1995's Iron Eagle on the Attack.

The following weapons were used in the film Iron Eagle (1986):

Submachine Guns

Carl Gustaf m/45B

Some of the enemy soldiers seen in the film can be seen armed with Carl Gustaf m/45B submachine guns. Since this movie was filmed in Israel, the weapon might actually be an Egyptian "Port Said", a license built copy of the m/45.

Carl Gustaf m/45B - 9x19mm

An enemy soldier (right) stands armed with a Carl Gustaf m/45B

An enemy soldier lies prone with his Carl Gustaf m/45B at the ready

Rifles

AK-47

Some of the enemy soldiers can also be seen with standard AK-47 rifles, fitted with Israeli blank-firing adapters, making them resemble AKM rifles.

AK-47 - 7.62x39mm

Enemy soldiers armed with AK-47 rifles.

An enemy motorcycle charges Doug's F-16 as the sidecar passenger fires an AK-47.

AKS-47

In addition to the AK-47 rifles, some enemy soldiers can also be seen armed with folding-stock AKS-47 rifles, also with Israeli blank-firing adapters.

AKS-47 - 7.62x39mm

An enemy soldier dismounts from a jeep armed with an AKS-47

AIMS

In one scene, an enemy soldier can briefly be seen armed with an AIMS rifle, identifiable by the vertical foregrip integrated into the handguard. This is perhaps the earliest film appearances of the weapon.

AIMS - 7.62x39mm

An enemy soldier (right) armed with an AIMS rifle (note the vertical foregrip)

M16A1 Rifle

In a few scenes, USAF security personnel tasked with guarding restricted areas of the base such as the flightline can be seen carrying M16A1 slung on their backs.

M16A1 with 30-round magazine - 5.56x45mm

A USAF Security Forces Member with an M16A1 rifle slung on his back at the left as Doug and Chappy get ready to take off to their mission.

Vz. 54 Sniper Rifle

When Doug Masters (Jason Gedrick) is landing his F-16, an enemy sniper takes a shot at Colonel Ted Masters (Tim Thomerson) with a Vz. 54 sniper rifle.

Vz. 54 sniper rifle - 7.62x54mm R

An enemy sniper sets up with a Vz. 54 sniper rifle.

The sniper takes aim at Colonel Ted Masters with his Vz. 54 sniper rifle.

Machine Guns

Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun

Several enemy jeeps can be seen fitted with Browning M2HB heavy machine guns. One can also be seen mounted on a tripod during Colonel Ted Masters' trial.

Browning M2HB on M3 tripod - .50 BMG

An enemy soldier mans a tripod-mounted Browning M2HB during Col. Masters' trial

Browning M2HB in vehicle mounting - .50 BMG

A Browning M2HB mounted on an enemy jeep

Another shot of a Browning M2HB mounted on an enemy jeep

Handguns

Smith & Wesson Model 15

Throughout the film, USAF airmen can be seen armed with Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolvers, though they never use them.

Smith & Wesson Model 15 - .38 Special

What appears to be a holstered Smith & Wesson Model 15 is seen on USAF Airman Davis (Tony Becker) as he chases after Doug Masters (Jason Gedrick).

Heavy Weapons

M61 Vulcan

The M61 Vulcan appears in the film as the secondary armament of the American F-16 Fighting Falcons, being used both to strafe ground targets, and when engaging in dogfights with enemy fighters. When the weapons are actually fired however, the close-ups show acetylene-firing mockups, as evidenced by the exaggerated, fiery muzzle blast. The sound effects are also inaccurate for the 4,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute firing rate of this weapon.

M61 Vulcan - 20mm

The F-16's M61 Vulcan is seen right above Col. "Chappy" Sinclair (Louis Gossett Jr.).

The F-16's gun is seen being fired. Here the weapon is an acetylene-firing mockup.

DEFA Cannon (mockup)

The enemy "MiG-23" fighters in the film (in reality Israeli-built Kfirs) can be seen armed with DEFA cannons as their secondary armament. During the final dogfight, the enemy Defense Minister, Colonel Akir Nakesh (David Suchet) uses these in an attempt to shoot down the protagonists' F-16, but fails to score any hits. Just as with the M61's on the F-16's, acetylene mockups are used for closeup shots when the weapons are fired.

DEFA cannon 30mm in twin mount

The enemy "MiG-23" fires its cannon. Just as with the M61's on the F-16's, acetylene mockups are used for closeup shots when the weapons are fired.

M197 Vulcan

During the attack on the enemy airfield, Doug is engaged by AH-1F Cobra helicopters which feature an M197 Vulcan as a secondary armament, though the choppers only fire their 2.75" rockets before they are destroyed.

M197 Vulcan - 20mm

The enemy Cobras rise from behind a hill to engage Doug's F-16. These helicopters were provided by the IDF.

Good side view of the enemy Cobras' M197 Vulcans as they try in vain to engage an oncoming F-16 with unguided rockets.

BGM-71 TOW

In addition to the M197 Vulcan mentioned above, the enemy helicopters are also armed with BGM-71 TOW launchers on the outboard pylons, though do not fire them before being destroyed.

BGM-71 TOW mounted on AH-1W - 152mm

The enemy Cobras with their TOW launchers visible on the outboard wing pylons