Tropic Thunder

The following guns were used in the film Tropic Thunder:

Tropic Thunder (2008)

AR-15 Sporter II Carbine

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), along with various other characters, uses a 16" barreled AR-15 Sporter II Carbine throughout the film, which is anachronistic for Vietnam . The original AR-15 Carbine was an SP1 (sold between 1978-1985)), so there was no forward Assist on the upper receiver. Stiller's gun is the A1 version, or what Colt called the "Sporter II version" in U.S. sales. The Colt Model 653 based weapons came after 1973. He should be using an XM177 variation to be accurate to the era. It may be an homage to the movie Platoon since the characters of Barnes (Tom Berenger) and Elias (Willem Dafoe) used the Phillipine export Colt Model 653 rifles. This film uses what is available in the United States, which happens to be the Sporter II carbine, since most of the movie was filmed in Los Angeles and Hawaii.

Colt Model 653 (U.S. Domestic version), closest gun picture available - 5.56x45mm.

Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) in "black face" make-up fires his AR-15 Sporter II Carbine during the opening "Hot LZ" scene.

Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black) playing the role of "Fats" fires his Sporter II Carbine during the opening scene.

Speedman with his Sporter II Carbine.

Someone scratched the finish off the Sporter II reciever very badley.

Speedman fires his Sporter II at the enemy Guerillas, unaware they are real enemies, and them unaware he is firing blanks.

I'm sure if a military advisor was present, he wouldn't be too impressed with this firing stance.

"Lets load and lock."

Speedman fires his Sporter II into the air to stop the argument between Lazarus and Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson).

"Lets go get those Viet Congs." Speedman seems inclined to rack the action on the Sporter II even when the gun is already chambered.

Speedman with his Sporter II.

"Here's my motherfuckin' farm!"

Lazarus fires two Sporter II Carbines akimbo style at the Guerillas, depsite the guns being loaded with blanks.

"I'm a lead-farmer, motherfucker!".

When Lazarus tosses Chino one of his Sporter II carbines, it is clearly a rubber prop casted from one fitted with a 30 round magazine.

Chino holds a Sporter II on the Guerillas, gangster style.

Chino reloads his Sporter II.

M16A1

Kevin Sandusky (Jay Baruchel) and Alpo Chino (Branon T. Jackson) both carry M16A1 rifles fitted with the older style M16 muzzle flash reducers throughout the film.

The most common designation for the intermediate M16 between the original and the A1 was "XM16A1", which had the three-prong flash hider instead of the birdcage style. Though I imagine the prop guns used in the movie actually are M16A1s that were fitted with three-prong flash hiders by the armorer.

M16A1 - 5.56x45mm.

Sandusky and Chino with their M16A1 rifles.

Sandusy with his M16A1. Note older style M16 muzzle flash reducer.

Sandusky takes cover from Guerilla fire with his M16A1 rifle in hand.

Chino with his M16A1 as Guerillas shoot at him.

Sandusky hides as Lazarus tries to speak Mandarin to the Guerilla leader, Tran (Brandon Soo Hoo).

Sandusky searches the huts for Speedman.

Chino holds his M16A1 gangster style.

Chino fires his M16A1.

M60

Jeff "Fats" Portnoy (Jack Black) wields an M60 Machine Gun as his weapon in the film. Jack Black commented on how he got stuck with the M60, which he knew was nicknamed "The Pig", and was tolds he was a natural with it, something he found disturbing. Some other random soldiers are also seen firing M60s during the opening scene.

M60 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) - 7.62x51mm NATO.

A door-gunner fires an M60 during the "Hot LZ" opening scene.

Portnoy fires his M60 during the opening scene.

A door-gunner fires an M60.

Portnoy with his M60.

"This thing's too heavy. I want the rubber one that the prop-guy gave me. Where's the fuckin' prop-guy?!"

Colt Gold Cup National Match

One of the Guerillas is seen holding a Colt Gold Cup National Match 1911 pistol on Cody (Danny R. McBride) when he flies a chopper to their Heroin base and Portnoy is seen armed with it before Tran kicks it out of his hand, implying it is a rubber prop.

Colt Gold Cup National Match M1911A1 Series 70 - .45 ACP.

A Guerilla holds a Colt Gold Cup on Cody.

Tran kicks the Colt Gold Cup out of Portnoy's hand.

M1911A1

Lazarus is seen using an M1911A1 as his sidearm in the film and uses it several times. Portnoy later gets his hands on it and uses it to hold Tran (Brandon Soo Hoo) hostage.

Colt M1911A1 - .45 ACP.

Lazarus holds his M1911A1 on Chino when he tells him not to rescue Speedman, all of which is acting.

Lazarus fires his M1911A1 behind his back, another move the military advisor would frown on.

"I'm just like a little boy, playin' with his dick when he's nervous."

Portnoy holds Tran hostage with Lazarus' M1911A1.

Portnoy holds Tran hostage with the M1911A1.

Portnoy aims the M1911A1 at Tran.

Portnoy tries to put clothes on, giving Tran time to dissarm him of his M1911A1.

In a deleted scene, Tran takes the M1911A1 from Portnoy and tries to shoot him with it, only to discover it is loaded with blanks.

"You die now, fatty!"

Tran fires the M1911A1 Portnoy. Even at this range, blanks are considered dangerous.

Tran looks at the M1911A1 in frustration.

Ithaca 37

Lazarus uses a sawed-off Ithaca 37 shotgun as his weapon of choice in the film.

Ithaca 37 sawed-off - 12 gauge.

Lazarus with his Ithaca 37 during the opening "Hot LZ" scene.

Lazarus with his Ithaca 37.

Lazarus with his Ithaca 37 as he and Speedman discuss acting mental-retardation in movies.

Lazarus with his Ithaca 37.

M60D

A door-gunner is seen manning an M60D machine gun during the opening "Hot LZ" scene. The M60D was used during the Vietnam War so it fits the era the film was set.

M60D - 7.62x51mm NATO.

A door-gunner mans and M60D.

M67 "Baseball" grenade

Speedman and Portnoy are seen with M67 hand grenades attached to their belts and jackets. Since their film is supposed to take place in 1969, it makes sense to see them with these grenades, since '69 was when the M67 began to mass replace the M26 grenade.

M67 hand grenade.

Speedman keeps an M67 grenade hanging from his jacket.

Speedman pulls the pin on his M67 grenade to throw at the enemy Guerrilas, and despite it being a dummy grenade, Cody happens to set off some C4 at the same time. Pulling the pin on a grenade like this would cause severe dental damage in real life. Seriously, this film they are making is in serious need of a military advisor!

Portnoy keeps an M67 on his belt.

M26 "Lemon" grenade

Sandusky is seen with an M26 hand grenade attached to his belt.

M26 hand grenade.

An M26 grenade is seen on Sandusky's belt, although it appears to be a blue inert dummy grenade.

M18 Smoke grenade

An M18 Smoke Grenade is seen on Speedman's jacket.

File:M18 grenande.gif

M18 Smoke Grenade.

An M18 smoke grenade is seen on Speedman's jacket.

M72 LAW

Disposable M72 LAW launchers are seen strapped to both Sandusky and Portnoy's backpacks.

M72 LAW - 66mm.

An M72 LAW is seen in Portnoy's pack.

An M72 LAW is seen in Sandusky's pack, on the verge of falling out of it.

Chinese Type II Stick Grenade

During the opening "Hot LZ" scene, a Vietnamese soldier tries to throw a Vietnam Era Chinese Type II Stick Grenade at the Huey chopper as it takes off, so Speedman jumps up and stops the grenade, loosing his hands in the process. The "tin can" style Type II and the Pineapple style Type I stick grenades were commonly used by NVA (PAVN) soldiers or VC Guerrillas during the war.

A Model 24 Stielhandgranate in mid-flight towards the Huey helicopter.

Beretta 92FS

Martin Lawrence is seen armed with a Beretta 92FS on a movie poster for a film he did with Speedman.

Beretta 92FS - 9mm.

Martin Lawrence with a Beretta 92FS.

AKM

Vietnamese soldiers are seen armed with AKM rifles during the opening "Hot LZ" scene, one of which most notabley dissembowels Sandsuky with his bayonet. It would be more accurate for the Vietnamese to use Norinco Type 56 rifles, the chinese model of the AK. Later the Guerilla soldiers can be seen armed with AKM rifles, which appear to be Egyptian Maadi ARM rifles, one of the most common AKMs used in films.

AKM - 7.62x39mm.

A Vietnamse soldier dissembowels Sandusky with his AKM bayonet.

A Guerilla aims his AKM rifle.

A Guerilla holds his AKM on Four Leaf (Nick Nolte).

The guard in the back is armed with an AKM fitted with an AK-74 muzzle break to look like an AK-74. Also, the image looks to be reversed, or the guard has a lefty AK.

A closer shot of the possibly reversed AKM.

A Guerilla with an AKM.

This Guerilla is armed with a rubber AKM based on the lack of a bolt handle and a front site, as well as a thicker trigger guard.

AKMS

The two Guerillas who halt Portnoy from using their heroin are armed with under-folding AKMS assault rifles.

AKMS - 7.62x39mm.

Two Guerillas hold their AKMS rifles on Portnoy.

AKMSU

Several Guerillas, including Tran (Brandon Soo Hoo) are armed with AKMSU assualt carbines modifed with Krinkov parts kits with side-folding stocks and black furniture to resemble AKS-74U carbines.

File:YugoKrinkov.jpg

AKMSU - 7.62x39mm.

The Guerilla leader totes an AKMSU. Note how it features an AKS-74U-style side-folding stock, yet uses a 7.62x39mm magazine.

The Guerilla leader with his AKMSU.

The Guerilla leader holds his AKMSU on Four Leaf.

Tran hits Speedman with the stock of his AKMSU when he doesn't act stupid enough as Simple Jack.

Tran go to the front gate with his AKMSU in hand.

Tran with his AKMSU.

Tran chambers his AKMSU.

"American!"

Tru (Trieu Tran) looks over at his AKMSU.

Byong (Reggie Lee) fires his AKMSU.

Tru fires his AKMSU.

Flamethrower

Cody keeps a portable Flamethrower among his pyrotechinical gear. When he and Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte) try to escape from the Guerilla's heroin base, Cody give Tayback the Flamethrower, which he uses to hold back the enemies.

I don't know what it's called, I just know the sound it makes when it LIES!

Tayback blazes away with the Flamethrower.

Tayback with the Flamethrower.

M4A1

Three types of M4A1 carbines are seen used by the Guerilla forces, one of which is seen with the carry handle removed, Knights Armament RIS rails affixed (with no rail covers) and fitted with a Aimpoint red-dot sight, the other with the carry handle attached with an ACOG scope mounted on it. Lazarus grabs one of these rifles and is seen using it when searching for Speedman in the huts, however his does not have the ACOG sight.

Colt M4A1 Carbine with M68 Aimpoint scope and RIS foregrip 5.56mm

Colt M4A1 Carbine with standard (non-LE) stock 5.56mm

A guard points his M4A1 fitted with a red-dot sight at Lazarus.

The guards holds looks of confusion as Lazarus attempts to speak Mandarin.

The guard with his M4A1.

A guard with an M4A1 fitted with the carry handle attached with an ACOG mounted.

A guard with an M4A1.

Lazarus with an M4A1.

Heckler & Koch MP5A5

One of the Guerillas is seen armed with a Heckler & Koch MP5A5 submachine gun.

Heckler & Koch MP5A5 - 9mm.

A Guerilla with his MP5A5 at the ready.

A Guerilla with an MP5A5.

A Guerilla to the right with an MP5A5.

SKS

Some of the Guerillas are seen armed with SKS rifles.

Chinese Type 56 Carbine a.k.a SKS rifle - 7.62x39mm.

A Guerilla to the right is armed with an SKS rifle.

A Guerilla with his SKS rifle.

A Guerilla armed with an SKS.

CQBR

One of the Guerillas is seen armed with an CQBR rifle with an A2 reciever, and an ACOG scope mounted on the carrying handle. The CQBR is a short 10.3in. barrel version of the M4A1 Carbine, so it certainly fits the profile.

It is? Isn't that just the name of a custom airsoft gun? The M4 variant with the 11.5 inch barrel is called the "M4 Commando" on Colt's LEO web site, but those have the receivers with detachable carry handles; these guns have A2 receivers. -MT2008 03:03, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

Okay, you have me with the A2 receivers, but the CQBR is real.

Yeah, you're right, it's a replacement upper receiver, and apparently one that the DoD has already adopted. Surprised I didn't know it was called that. But again, I don't think the gun in the movie is that. -MT2008 03:44, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

A Guerilla points his CQBR at Cody.

A Guerilla armed with the same CQBR.

A Guerilla armed with a CQBR.

IMI Uzi

One of the Guerillas is seen armed with an IMI Uzi when he captures Portnoy.

IMI Uzi - 9mm.

A Guerilla armed with an IMI Uzi.

Glock 17

While interrogating Speedman, Byong (Reggie Lee) has a 3rd gen Glock 17 in his holster.

Glock 17 3rd gen - 9mm.

Byong with a 3rd gen Glock 17 in his holster.

Norinco Type 69 RPG

Tran uses a Norinco Type 69 RPG launcher to take out the truck the gang tries to escape in and tries to shoot down their chopper as they escape, the rocket being stopped only by a perfectly thrown TiVo box from Speedman's agent, Rick "Pecker" Peck (Matthew McConaughey).

Norinco Type 69 RPG - 70mm.

Tran with the Norinco Type 69. Kids shouldn't play with rocket propelled grenade launchers.

Tran shoulders the Type 69 as the gang drive away in the truck. Note carry handle and single pistol grip.

Tran fires the Type 69 at the truck.

Tran prepares to fire the Type 69 at the chopper.

Incredibly Realistic Hot LZ scene

The "Hot LZ" scene starts out as a really convincing scene which could convince someone who didn't see the trailers of the movie and the fictional trailers at the start that this was a Vietnam War movie.