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Wings

Movie Poster

Country	United States
Directed by	William A. Wellman
Release Date	August 12, 1927
Language	Silent
Studio	Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation
Distributor	Paramount Pictures

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Mary Preston	Clara Bow
Jack Powell	Charles Rogers
David Armstrong	Richard Arlen
Cadet White	Gary Cooper
Mr. Armstrong	Henry B. Walthall
Mr. Powell	George Irving

Wings is a 1927 movie directed by William A. Wellman and was the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. The movie remains as one of the best aerial combat pictures ever made and was the very first to receive the Academy Award for Best Picture. On the eve of World War I, Jack and David are two young Americans who are both in love with Sylvia. Rivals in everything else they do, they join the air forces with the outbreak of war. As the war progresses, they become not only flying races, but best friends. But the old rivalry over Sylvia threatens to destroy this friendship. Clara Bow, Charles “Buddy” Rogers (as Charles Rogers), Richard Arlen, Jobyna Ralston, El Brendel, Richard Tucker, and Gary Cooper starred in the film.

The following weapons were used in the film Wings:

Handguns

Luger P08

Some German officers appear to be armed with Luger P08 pistols.

Luger P08 - 9x19mm

A German officer brandishes his Luger to steady his men.

Unknown Revolver

A French officer keeps a revolver in his holster.

The officer talks with one of his men. Shortly after, he turns around what offers a very brief view of the end of the revolver's grip with the lanyard.

Rifles

Springfield M1903

American Expedition Force (AEF) infantry and German soldiers can be seen armed with M1903 Springfield rifles. At the end, some French soldiers can also be seen with Springfields.

Springfield M1903 Mk 1 - .30-06.

"Hey, if youse guys need kissin', I'll kiss you wit' a gun-butt! Fall in!"
An American NCO commands his gawking soldiers to restore order. Note the straight buttstock without a pistol grip, unlike the M1917 Enfield.

A Doughboy with a Springfield over the back gives one of his comrade a cigarette.

Another U.S. soldier also carries his rifle over the shoulder which offers a view of the front sight.

The same soldier tries to get up his comrade but exposes something horrible instead. The top of his M1903 is perfectly seen.

During the charge on two Maxim machine guns, a Doughboy aims his rifle.

Retreating German soldiers chased by U.S. planes are armed with Springfield rifles.

Enfield M1917

M1917 Enfield rifles are also used by U.S. doughboys, as well, some British soldiers.

M1917 Enfield - .30-06 Springfield

A Brit looks through the extended rear sights of his Enfield.

Mary Preston (Clara Bow) and a bunch of doughboys celebrate the aerial victory of Jack Powell (Buddy Rogers). The soldier in the foreground has an Enfield.

A Doughboy advances through the battlefield with his Enfield. Note the striking front sight.

Mauser Karabiner 98AZ

Another rifle that is used by German soldiers is the more accurate Mauser 98AZ Artillery Carbine with fixed American M1905 bayonets.

Mauser 98AZ Artillery Carbine - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A line of German soldiers encounter the shot down David Armstrong (Richard Arlen). The striking stacking hook can be seen on the held rifle fourth from left.

Landsers take cover from shelling with their Mauser rifles.

While their officer attempts to fend off a charging Doughboy, soldiers keep aiming their rifles on the left. Also, note the Luger pistol holster attached on the officer's belt.

The rifle of the German to the right has extended rear sights.

A Kar98AZ lies next to its dead user in the trench.

Berthier Mle 1907/15

French regular and colonial troops have Berthier Mle 1907-15 rifles.

Berthier Fusil Modèle 1907/15 - 8x50mm R

Berthier rifles with matching "Rosalie” bayonets are held by French soldiers during an honor.

Colonial infantry joins the American attack. The ejecting hole of the Berthier is clearly seen.

A French soldier guards Jack's landed biplane.

Aircraft Machine Guns

Vickers Aircraft

AEF fighter planes are equipped with the Vickers Mk 1 Aerial Gun mounted on Vought VE-7 biplanes.

Vickers gun with ribbed water jacket - .303 British.

Lewis Gun

Cadet Airmen train with a Lewis Gun.

Aircraft mounted Lewis Gun - .303 British.

Lewis gun on the right.

Maxim

German bomber and fighter planes have mounted Maxim guns that appear to be mockups since they have pistols grips instead of the spade ones.

A Curtiss P-1A standing for a German Fokker fighter plane.

Another biplane with the mounted Maxim guns.

A rear gunner of Gotha bomber (actually an American Martin NBS-1) checks his Maxim by firing it into the air.

Rear view of the same gun during the flight.

Machine Guns

Browning M1917

AEF infantry deploys the Browning M1917 machine gun against enemy forces.

Browning M1917 - .30-06‎.

Cadet Airmen train with the Browning.

A German soldier makes a last stand with his American machine gun. Note there is no bottom plate that identifies an earlier variant. A few scenes later, this MG switches to a Maxim MG08/15.