On Wings of Eagles

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.
__TOC__
=Handguns=
==Walther P1==
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.
==Colt M1911A1==
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. 
==Unidentified revolver #1==
A member of the EDS team (unaccredited actor) can be seen cleaning a unidentified revolver at the Teheran safe house prior to getting into action.
==Unidentified revolver #2==
An Iranian revolutionary is firing an unidentified revolver when a mob storms the central prison of Teheran to free the inmates. 
 
=Submachine Guns=
==IMI Uzi==
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. 
==Heckler & Koch MP5A2==
A Heckler & Koch MP5A2 submachine gun is seen in the hands of some revolutionaries during the siege of the US embassy.
==M3/M3A1==
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.
==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.
=Rifles=
==M1 Carbine==
During the storming of the central Teheran prison, the M1 Carbine can be seen in the hands of both prison guards as well as revolutionaries.
==Vz.24 Czech Mauser==
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.
==Unidentified rifle==
'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.
=Assault Rifles=
==FN FAL==
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. 
==Heckler & Koch G3==
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. 
==AKM==
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.
==AK-47==
A Kurdish revolutionary (left in below screenshot) can be seen carrying the AK-47, rather than the AKM carried by almost all of his comrades. 
==XM16E1==
Revolutionaries can be seen with what appears to be a XM16E1 Rifle after they have raided weapons stock of a local police station.
=Machine Guns=
==FN MAG 58==
In several scenes, the FN MAG 58 can be seen used by government troops as well as by revolutionaries. 
==Mendoza M1934==
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. 
==MG3==
One of the pieces of original news footage shows a few revolutionaries carrying a tripod mounted MG3 through the streets of Teheran. 
=Shotguns=
==Marlin Model 1898==
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.
==Winchester Model 1897==
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. 
==Unidentified shotgun==
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.
=Others=
==M20B1 "Super Bazooka"==
In the days leading up to the actual revolution, a revolutionary is seen firing a M20B1 "Super Bazooka" at a government armoured vehicle. 
==M1874 bayonet==
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. 
==DIO LP26 flare gun==
In original news footage, a revolutionary demonstrator is seen holding a DIO LP26 flare gun against a statue of the disposed Shah. 
Category:Television 
Category:Mini-Series
Category:Drama
Category:Action
Category:Andrew V. McLaglen