BAT*21

BAT*21 DVD cover Country USA Directed by Peter Markle Release Date 1988 Language English Main Cast Character Actor Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton Gene Hackman Captain Bartholomew Clark Danny Glover Colonel George Walker Jerry Reed Ross Carver David Marshall Grant

BAT*21 is a 1988 Vietnam War film directed by Peter Markle (Saving Jessica Lynch) and was inspired by the true story of Lt. Col. Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman), a USAF officer who was shot down while on a scouting mission and the subsequent attempts by US forces to recover him. The film co-stars Danny Glover and Jerry Reed and received aircraft and logistical support from the Royal Malaysian Army and Air Force.

The following weapons were used in the film BAT*21:

Handguns

Browning Hi-Power

Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) carries a Browning Hi-Power as his sidearm after being shot down. He also has to use it to kill a Vietnamese peasant in self defense.

Browning Hi Power - 9x19mm.

Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) carries his Browning Hi-Power while on the move.

Lt. Colonel Iceal Hambleton (Gene Hackman) with his Browning Hi-Power as he is helpless to prevent the capture of the downed helicopter crew.

Hambleton fires his Browning Hi-Power.

Makarov PM

An NVA officer is seen with a Makarov PM during the failed rescue attempt.

Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov

A Makarov PM is seen being held on Ross Carver (David Marshall Grant).

Rifles

M16/SP1

An M16/SP1 is carried primarily by Captain Bartholomew Clark (Danny Glover) when he flies a helicopter to rescue Hambleton. The rifle is also held by Hambleton. Also seen fired by US helicopter crewman during the failed rescue attempt.

The original M16, the first version, firing in a 20-round magazine, adopted in large numbers by the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam. This has the original 3-prong flash hider. It would later be replaced by the upgraded M16A1 - 5.56x45mm

Clark carries the rifle as he and Hambleton attempt to evade an oncoming air strike.

Hambleton aims the rifle.

A helicopter crewman is seen carrying an M16A1 in the UH-1N (This particular UH series helicopter is anachronistic for service in Vietnam).

Norinco Type 56

NVA forces are seen throughout the film carrying the Norinco Type 56.

Norinco Type 56 (fixed stock variant) with under-folding bayonet ("pig sticker") which was standard on PLA-issue Type 56s - 7.62x39mm

NVA forces hold their Type 56 rifles on Carver (David Marshall Grant) and his co-pilot.

An NVA soldier hold his Type 56 rifle on Carver (David Marshall Grant).

The rifle is pointed at Carver (David Marshall Grant). Note the full hooded sight.

Norinco Type 56-1

Some NVA forces are armed with the Norinco Type 56-1.

Norinco Type 56-1 7.62x39mm

In the center, an NVA soldier fires his Norinco 56-1 at the SAR helicopters.

Machine Guns

M60 machine gun

The M60 Machine Gun is used by the S-61 Sea King door gunner during the failed rescue attempt as well as NVA forces in their attempt to shoot down the search and rescue helicopters.

M60 machine gun 7.62x51mm NATO

A doorgunner opens fire with the M60.

Another shot of the Sea King doorgunner.

NVA forces try to shoot down the Sea King with an M60.

Browning M2 HB

NVA forces are seen using a Browning M2 to shoot down the rescue helicopters.

NVA forces are seen using a Browning M2 to shoot down the rescue helicopters.

Pontiac M39

Airstrikes are seen conducted by USAF F-5A & F-5B Freedom Fighters, complete with Pontiac M39 cannons, though the fighters do not fire their guns during the attack. F-100 Super Sabre jets are also armed with the cannons.

Pontiac M39 20mm

Airstrikes are seen conducted by USAF F-5A & F-5B Freedom Fighters, complete with Pontiac M39 cannons.

F-100 Super Sabre jets making a bombing run are also armed with the cannons. This appears to be stock footage.

Other

RPG-7

The RPG-7 also are used by NVA forces.

RPG-7 - 40mm

An RPG is held by an NVA soldier.