Sky Riders

Sky Riders Theatrical Release Poster Country United States Directed by Douglas Hickox Release Date 1976 Studio Sandy Howard Productions Distributor 20th Century Fox Main Cast Character Actor Jim McCabe James Coburn Jonas Bracken Robert Culp John John Beck Female Terrorist Zouzou Rudy Steven Keats Terrorist #1 Werner Pochath Cora Cherie Latimer Martin Henry Brown Joe Ernie Orsatti

Sky Riders is a 1976 action movie directed by Douglas Hickox (Brannigan, Zulu Dawn). Robert Culp stars in the film as Jonas Bracken, a wealthy industrialist living in Greece whose wife and children are kidnapped by terrorists. Out of desperation, Bracken turns to his wife's ex-husband Jim McCabe (James Coburn). After it is learned that the terrorists are in a mountain-top monastery, McCabe hires a team of professional hang gliders to help him rescue the family. At the time of the production, hang gliding was still new and a novelty. The rescue sequences were filmed in Meteora, Greece, where, incidentally, the finale of the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only was set.

The following weapons were used in the film Sky Riders:

WARNING! THIS PAGE CONTAINS SPOILERS!

Handguns

Browning Hi-Power

Both Jim McCabe (James Coburn) and the Leader of the terrorists (Werner Pochath) use a Browning Hi-Power at the movie's climax.

Classic Commercial Browning Hi-Power (Belgian Mfg) - 9x19mm

Smith & Wesson Model 10

The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is used by the Greek police, Cora (Cherie Latimer), Rudy (Steven Keats), Ben (John Beck), and Martin (Henry Brown).

Smith & Wesson Model 10 Revolver - .38 Special

Cora (Cherie Latimer) hides from a terrorist sentry during the aerial rescue.

Submachine Guns

MP41

Somewhat unusually, the MP41 shows up in this movie. It is used by multiple terrorists and other characters, including the Leader (Werner Pochath) and Martin (Henry Brown).

The MP41. It was produced and used in small quantities in 1941 to 1942.

The Leader (Werner Pochath) breaks a window at the beginning when carrying out the kidnapping.

Martin (Henry Brown) with an MP41.

MP40

The MP40 is the most common firearm seen in the movie. It is used by the Greek Army, terrorists, and Jim McCabe (James Coburn) and the other Sky Riders.

MP40 submachine gun - 9x19mm

Ben (John Beck) being stealthy.

Rudy (Steven Keats) fires at the terrorists.

Jim McCabe (James Coburn) in a tough situation.

MP38

Some of the submachine guns used appear to be MP38s.

MP38 - 9x19mm

The weapon seen here appears to be an MP38. Possibly one of the earliest FPS/POV shots in movie history.

Female Terrorist (Zouzou) fires at the Sky Riders.

Steyr MP34

The Steyr MP34 is used by some of the Greek soldiers during the assault on the terrorist fortress.

Steyr-Solothurn MP34- 9x19mm.

Sten Mk II

The Sten Mk II is used by several of the terrorists.

Sten Mk II - 9x19mm

Sten Mk V

The Sten Mk V is used by Joe (Ernie Orsatti), one of the Sky Riders.

Sten Mk V - 9x19mm

M3 "Grease Gun"

Both the terrorists and the Greek Army are seen using the M3 "Grease Gun" during the battle.

M3 "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.

Rifles

Winchester Model 88

Jonas Bracken (Robert Culp) accompanies the Greek authorities when they assault the terrorist fortress. Interestingly, he uses a Winchester Model 88 Lever Action Rifle and he is very effective with it. At one point, he is shown as being the only person who is actually aiming his firearm. Later, at the conclusion, he hands it to his son.

Winchester Model 88 in .243 or .308 caliber

Machine Guns

MG42

The Greek soldiers use an MG42 for fire support during the assault.

MG42 Machine Gun - 7.92x57mm Mauser