Rambo III

Rambo III (1988) is an unusual movie in that it's production was halted about two thirds into the shooting schedule of the film. Rambo III was scheduled to film entirely in Israel (and Thailand for the first part of the film), and many scenes were filmed in Eilat (the southern most tip of Israel between Jordan and Egypt), using Israeli armorers. However, the spectacle of a major American movie being filmed in the middle east created a lot of concern about terrorist attacks (to disrupt the production and 'send a message of the U.S.'). Before production could be completed, it is said that Israel revoked the production's permission to remain in the country (the rumored reason being security concerns and threats made to the American film crew). Not wishing for a multi million dollar film to be scrapped, then California State Senator Pete Wilson (R) (a big proponent of the film industry in California and later Governor of the state), helped the production relocate back to Southern California and Arizona. The remaining shots were completed (including many insert shots) using the same talent, but utilizing areas around the American Western Desert, most notable Yuma, AZ for the final battle and Lone Pine, CA for 2nd unit photography. The sudden change from 'accurate Soviet weaponry' (provided by the Israeli armorers) to the typical 'faux' weaponry seen in many American movies, is explained by this sudden relocation back to the U.S.A. Thus we see mocked up Browning M2 .50 cal Machine guns instead of real Soviet DShK 12.7mm MGs, etc. Stembridge Gun Rentals took over the final shoot (back in the states).

Most notably, the armored vehicles at the final battle changed from the authentic and original Soviet armored vehicles from the middle of the film, to the modified American tanks. These were provided by Veluzat Armored Vehicles out of Newhall, California. Only aficionados of tanks would notice the change.

The weapons used in this movie are:

Assault Rifles

AK-47

Seen carried by the Mujahideen and by Armed tribal members in Peshawar, Pakistan. The ones in the early parts of the film are authentic AK47s (the real deal). These were all captured enemy arms, taken during the many wars between Israel and their neighbor nations. Israeli movie armorers have access to tons of authentic captured Soviet weaponry over the years, and any film shot in Israel would have real Soviet guns.

Tribal member in Peshawar holds an AK47 - 7.62x39mm

Mujahideen fighters hold a council with Rambo, many holding AK47s. These are Israeli movie guns, evident by the extra long screw on blank adapters on the end of the barrels. American Armorers usually have drop in BFAs or thread the interior of their barrels and use a hex nut as the blank adapter, but the Israelis don't. This is the case for every movie filmed in Israel that has AK47s and is a good visual indicator where a scene was filmed.

Another good shot of the AK47s with the extended screw on blank adapters. These are noticeably thinner than any of the military screw on blank adapters and are a different shape than any military BFA issued for the AK or any of it's variants.

AKS-47

Seen briefly, some of the Soviet Soldiers carry the milled receiver AKS-47 underfolder rifle, the predecessor to the underfolder AKMS rifle. Since this sequence was filmed in Israel, one can assume these are authentic Russian AK-47 Milled receiver weapons.

Soviet soldiers make their rounds carrying the AKS-47 underfolder assault rifles - 7.62x39mm

AKM

Full Stock AKMs are used by the Mujahideen and the Russians. Rambo and Col. Trautman also use the AKM rifle on numerous occasions throughout the film. The ones used while filming in Israel are real Soviet AKM rifles. The ones used while filming in the United States were Maadi ARM rifles (the American imported versions of the MISR).

AKM assault rifle, 7.62x39mm

Col. Trautman (Richard Crenna) and his AKM - 7.62x39mm

Col. Trautman (Richard Crenna) fires his AKM - 7.62x39mm

Russian soldier fires his AKM at the final battle (filmed in California). He is wearing the 'faux' copy of the KLMK pattern camo suit made for the movie Red Dawn and is wearing the plastic Soviet style helmet shell used by OPFOR (U.S. Military training units) - 7.62x39mm

AKMS

Carried by Mujahideen, the Russians and Rambo.

AKMS, stamped steel receiver w/ slant muzzle brake and under-folding stock - 7.62x39mm

Mujahideen fires his AKMS - 7.62x39mm

Rambo uses the wire buttstock of an AKMS to break through a stone wall - 7.62x39mm

Type 56 Assault Rifle

When filming shifted to the U.S., the Chinese Type 56 (the military name of the imported Norinco AKS-47 Chinese rifles) were used in place of the AK-47s. Historically this is accurate anyway, since China supplied many Type 56 rifles to the Mujahideen fighters during the 1980s.

Norinco Type 56-1 Underfolder AK variant - 7.62x39mm

Mousa (Sasson Gabai) fires his Type 56 rifle to save Rambo from a charging Russian soldier - 7.62x39mm

AMD 65

Colonel Trautman (Richard Crenna) and Rambo are seen with a Hungarian AMD-65 rifle. The traditional muzzle brake of the AMD-65 was replaced with an Israeli Blank fire adapter (also seen on the other AK variants). The same AMD-65 type rifles were also wielded by Russian Tankers (ironically, wearing the same 'faux' Soviet winter tanker uniforms made for the film "Red Dawn".)

Hungarian AMD-65 as seen in the film. This one has an American copy of an Israeli blank fire adapter (which is slightly longer and thinner than most commonly seen external BFAs. This is the version seen in the movie.)

Rambo and the AMD-65 inside the desert prison - 7.62x39mm

Soviet tanker crews getting mowed down by Rambo, all wielding AMD-65s with the Israeli BFAs - 7.62x39mm

Fake AKS-74

AKS-74 rifles were mocked up from AKMS underfolder rifles. The real AKS-74 assault rifle (5.45mm) is a side folding rifle. The ones in the film, however were obvious underfolding stocks as well as 7.62 sized magazines. A faux AK-74 style muzzle brake was put on the rifles. Remember that this was filmed in 1987, and no AK74 or 5.45mm guns existed in the United States (or our allies) at this time.

Colonel Zaysen (Marc de Jonge) gets ready to grab a fake AKS-74 (mocked up from an AKMS) to fire at a fleeing helicopter. These examples have the underfolding stock and the metal 30 round magazines.

A Spetsnaz Commando (looking suspiciously like Borat) is killed by Rambo in the caves. Details of the firearm are visible in this double shot.

Spetsnaz commandos ride back towards the camp on armored vehicles, all carrying the fake AKS-74 rifles.

AKM with underslung M203 40mm grenade launcher

Of all the wacky weapons to appear in a war movie, this is one of the strangest combinations in cinema history. Lacking the Soviet BG-15 40mm grenade launcher which was mounted to the real AK-74 rifles in the Russo-Afghan war, the movie armorers merely attached a U.S. made M203 grenade launcher to a Maadi AKM (ARM) rifle (with an aftermarket side folding stock). It is first seen wielded by Sgt. Kourov (Randy Raney), who is killed in a one on one fight with Rambo. Rambo later takes the weapon and uses it at the final battle. What is unusual is that after the first shot, Rambo fires multiple shots out of the 40mm launcher when he has no more visible rounds to load the weapon with.

Kourov (Randy Raney) fires his AKM/ARM with the M203 mounted underneath - 40mm

Closeup of the mounting device which attaches the M203 to the rifle.

Closeup detail of the real M203 launcher - anachronistically attached to the AKM rifle.

Rambo and Trautman walk the desert. Rambo's combo gun is clearly visible, while Trautman carries the AMD-65 listed earlier.

Rambo fires the launcher. Since these two weapons were never designed to work together, note the bizarre way Stallone has to grab the weapon (by the magazine) in order to fire the M203 launcher.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No.1 MkIII*

In actuality there are no clear examples of the SMLE (No 1 Mk III) in the movie, however it is very possible that they were used in the mass scenes of horsemen. The Vast majority of rifles seen clearly seen being carried by any combatant on film are AK47s, Mauser K98s, M91/30s and No.4 Mk 1s.

Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk III* - .303 British

It is possible that some horsemen carry the Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk III* - .303 British, which would be accurate historically.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I

Seen in the hands of Mujahideen fighters throughout the film.

Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I - .303 British. The most common British Commonwealth World War Two Rifle, in service between 1941–Present

An man is seen with a No.4 Mk 1 rifle slung over his right shoulder in the Arms bazaar in Peshawar Pakistan. He is likely an Afghan expat, having crossed over the border of Afghanistan, but many remote Pakistani tribals, especially those on the Afghan border, are so armed as well.

Mauser Karabiner 98k

Seen in the hands of Mujahideen fighters thoughout the film.

Karabiner 98k - German manufacture 1937 date - 7.92x57mm

Mujahideen holds a K98 at tribal council - 7.92x57mm

Hamid (Doudi Shoua) holds a K98 when he tracks Rambo at night - 7.92x57mm

Mosin Nagant M91/30

Seen in the hands of Mujahideen fighters thoughout the film.

Full-length, Mosin Nagant 91/30 chambered in 7.62x54R

Mujahideen holds a Mosin Nagant M91/30 Rifle - 7.62x54R

Hamid (Doudi Shoua) holds a Mosin Nagant M91/30 Rifle - 7.62x54R

SKS Rifle

Seen in the weapons shop by the Peshawar Arms Dealer.

SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm

SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm

SVD Dragunov

Rambo briefly carried the SVD Dragunov rifle after the Hind helicopter he stole was shot down. Considering the time frame, it is also likely that the rifle is a Norinco NDM-86, the Chinese clone of the SVD rifle, since the NDM-86 was readily available for commercial sale during the late 1980s. Rambo uses the same rifle to take down a number of Russian soldiers in the deleted scenes of the movie.

SVD Dragunov sniper rifle - 7.62x54R

Rambo holds an SVD rifle when conferring with the escaped prisoners - 7.62x54R

Closeup of Rambo's SVD rifle.

Sylvester Stallone (looking a lot like his brother Frank Stallone in this shot), holds the SVD at the ready.

Submachine guns

PM-63

This weapon is used by Colonel Zaysen (Marc de Jonge) during the interrogation scene.

PM-63

Colonel Zaysen holds his PM-63 to the throat of Col. Trautman.

Colonel Zaysen's PM-63 is cocked back, ready to fire, evident by the cocking shroud being level with the barrel tip. The PM63 msut be cocked back in such a manner to fire, and also makes it very obvious that is is locked and loaded.

Squad Automatics and Heavy Machine Guns

PKMS machine gun

Used by Rambo during the final battle with the Red Army.

PKMS - 7.62x54R

During the final battle, Rambo runs carrying a Russian PKMS - 7.62x54R

Front shot of his Russian PKMS with a 200 round box magazine.

Rambo runs with his Russian PKMS - 7.62x54R

Browning M1919 .30 Cal Machine Gun

An unfortunate result of the sudden relocation of filming back to the U.S., a 'Soviet' soldier fires a mocked up M1919 .30 cal machine gun with a fake extended barrel shroud to simulate some sort of Russian weapon.

Russian Soldier fires a mocked up Russian MG, made from an M1919 machine gun - .30-06.

FN MAG

Seen as one of the machine guns on the fake Russian Hind helicopters.

Israeli FN_MAG on display - 7.62x51mm

FN_MAG-58 mounted as the door weapon on a fake Hind Helicopter

FN_MAG-58 missing it's buttstock, used by the Russian Door gunner

Rambo ducks past another FN MAG-58 Machine gun (with a fake barrel extension) mounted to the turret of the faked T-72 tank.

Rambo runs past another FN MAG-58 Machine gun (with a fake barrel extension) mounted to fake Hind Helicopter gunship.

Browning M2HB Heavy Machine Gun

Another Americam "Mock Up", an American M2 Heavy Barrel was mounted to a 'light blue pickup truck' (Didn't know those light blue pickup trucks were common in Soviet Armored units!) and modified with another fake barrel shroud to disguise the weapon's origins.

Rambo fires a mocked up M2 .50 cal on a truck - .50 BMG

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A disguised M2 .50 cal mounted on a standard pintle, with a four point 'tower' mount. (on a light blue pickup truck!)

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A better shot of the four point 'tower' mount for the .50 Cal Machine gun)

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Detail side shot indicating that it is, indeed, a Browning M2HB

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DShK 12.7mm Heavy Machine Gun

An accurate and real DShK 12.7mm Soviet Machine Gun is used by Rambo to down an attack helicopter. It is one of the very few times a real DShK (rather than a fake one made out of an American gun like an M2 .50 cal) is used in an American Motion Picture. The scenes where a real DShK was used were filmed in Israel, using real Soviet weaponry courtesy of the Israeli Armorers.

Rambo readies his DShK Heavy Machine Gun

Rambo fires his DShK Heavy Machine Gun - noteworthy is the non-disintegrating ammo belt (which is correct).

Russian guards at the base camp fire their DShK Heavy Machine Gun at Rambo - 12.7mm

Rambo prepares to take out a Russian sentry supposedly manning a DShK Heavy Machine Gun - 12.7mm. Rather than do the obvious thing and grab the AKMS with folding stock on the sandbags, the sentry tries to rotate the large heavy machine gun around to kill Rambo, but he is too slow and Rambo ends up killing him.

"Acetylene Gas firing" Oerlikon 20mm AA gun

A real Oerlikon 20mm AA gun is used in the final battle, wielded by Col. Trautman, however it is mysteriously missing a rear sight and (most importantly) the drum magazine. This is an auto cannon with no ammunition. The one used in the film was an 'acetylene' gun (a real weapon mocked up with Acetylene gas internals to 'fake firing'). This method is used many time in either helicopter mounted guns (for safety) and heavy machine guns. They fire a 'flash of fire' rather slowly to simulate the firing of a large machine gun round.

Richard Crenna mans a fake Oerlikon 20mm gun. For an example of a correct Oerlikon gun (see the Stealth page.

Colonel Trautman tracks the Fake Hind Gunship with his Oerlikon. In reality, one direct hit in a vital area from a 20mm shell at that range would down the helicopter immediately.

Good side shot of the "Acetylene Gas firing" Oerlikon.

Col Trautman (Richard Crenna)‎ fires 'acetylene fire' from the front of his fake autocannon. This is a common special effect 'trick' used in movies when blanks are either too dangerous, too expensive, or too much of a hassle.

In stand by mode, one can see the 'pilot light' still burning, waiting to ignite the bursts of flammable gas when the gun starts 'firing' again.

The Oerlikon 20mm gun is seen again, mounted to a jeep with Masoud (Spiros Focás) riding in front, this time with the AA sights attached. Note: It is highly unlikely that a 20mm auto cannon would be mounted to a lightweight vehicle like a jeep. Even a .50 Cal MG would need special plates to keep from ripping itself from the mount of a lightweight vehicle.

Other Weapons

M19 60mm Mortar

Used by Mudjahideen fighters during the final battle.

Firing the mortar during the final battle.

RPG-7

Rambo wields an RPG-7 during his night fight with the compound guards.

Rambo holds an RPG-7, judging by it's appearance it could be the same RPG-7 prop used in the second Rambo movie.

Flamethrower

An improvised flamethrower is used by the prison guards at the Russian military base.

Afghan guard, dressed in all black clothing, but wearing Soviet tanker's insignia wields an improvised flamethrower, which Rambo takes and uses against him.

M134 Minigun

A fake mockup of a M134 style minigun is mounted (with a very lightweight mount) to the front nose of the fake Russian Hind Helicopter Gunship. It fires (very weakly) a fake Acetylene fire blast during some of the fly by sequences. Most of the time in the movie, the firing of the helicopter's minigun is implied, using ground squibs and sound effects. It is supposed to be a stand in for the real 12.7 mm YakB machine gun that is mounted on the real Mil MI-24 "Hind" gunships. The YakB Gatling gun is a rotating four barrel gun similar to the M134.

A real American M134 Minigun for comparison.

A real Russian YakB 12.7mm Nose gun for comparison.

The fake minigun is seen firing flame bursts during flybys on the battlefield.

A better detail shot of the fake M134 minigun firing Acetylene flame bursts in flight. In reality the nose gun would be the much larger 12.7 mm YakB machine gun, but that gun is only seen on the real Mil MI-24 Hind helicopters.

Fake Hind Helicopter Rocket Pods

Seen mounted on the fake Hind Helicopter, these are completely built props to fire acetylene gas bursts and pyrotechnic charges.

Special effects made rocket pods for the fake Hind Helicopter

Rambo's Survival Knife

Rambo III Survival Knife

Rambo uses his knife to cut barbed wire on the base perimeter.

Hoyt Archery Rambo Compound Bow

A custom take down Compound Bow is Rambo's weapon of choice when he wants to kill silently, or with blue cyalume Light sticks or 'explode a helicopter' (!)

Rambo assembles his Hoyt Archery Custom Compound bow when an enemy helicopter approaches.

Rambo fires his explosive tip arrows at the helicopter gunship. Gotta love that 1980s mullet hair!.

Rambo's Bow

Trivia Specials

Early Holographic/Red Dot sight

Seen used by Spetsnaz in the battle in the caves, we see an early model holographic or red dot optical sight mounted on a fake AK74. This was filmed in 1987 so we would see the early ancestors of today's EOTech or Aimpoint sights.

Spetsnaz commando searches the cave with an early aimpoint or holographic sight attached to his AK rifle.

Real Soviet T-62 Tank

Rambo ducks under and hitches a ride underneath an authentic Soviet T-62 Tank. This was the night compound sequence filmed in Israel, (which was the only way an American film could obtain a Soviet tank) since no motion picture vehicle company in the U.S. had access to real Soviet Armor, especially a relatively recent tank like the T-62, during the time frame of this film.

A real Russian T-62 Tank moves over a hill during the night compound sequence in Rambo III

Fake Russian T-72 Tank

When the film was forced to relocate to the United States, the movie's access to real Soviet vehicles suffered. The Russian armored vehicles in the final battle were taken straight from the film Red Dawn. This is a fake Russian T-72 tank from Veluzat Armored Vehicles out of Newhall, California.

Rambo miraculously manages to drive a tank, fire the main gun and reload it, with no other crewmen in the vehicle, while charging a helicopter!

Detail shot of the fake mocked up T-72 Russian tank. The small posts sticking out on the turret are smoke grenade launchers (as seen on the real T-72s)

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Fake Russian ZSU-23 "Shilka" AA Gun

Built for the film Red Dawn, this fake ZSU-23 AA gun was a mockup from an American APC.

Fake ZSU-23 AA mocked up from an American APC by Veluzat Military Vehicles, Inc.

Fake Soviet Uniforms

Not a weapon, but worth noting, the Soviet soldiers were outfitted years before any surplus came out of Russia or any of the Eastern bloc nations. The actors wore a bunch of stuff that no Soviet Soldier would be caught 'dead' wearing ....

Soviet soldiers wear French Tropical hats in place of the correct Soviet desert boonie hats

More "Soviet" extras in the Arizona desert. While carrying AKM rifles, they wear the fake KLMK style jumpsuits, Austrian web gear and Red Chinese Fur hats with the mini red star pins ... all while having hair that is far too long for the Soviet military standards. Only soldiers on long range missions, far from their base camp would be allowed to go unshaven or grow their hair so long.