Blue Thunder

Blue Thunder (1983)

Blue Thunder is a 1983 action thriller directed by John Badham and stars Roy Scheider as a Los Angeles police helicopter pilot who is assigned to a top secret military weapons program that involves flying an armed superhelicopter over the city. There is a title card at the beginning of the film that states all of the technology portrayed in the film is real and currently in use in the United States military. The film would inspire two television series: a direct adaptation of the film and the CBS series Airwolf.

The following weapons were used in the film Blue Thunder:

M61 20mm Vulcan Cannon

The M61 Vulcan is the main offensive weapon of the Blue Thunder helicopter. The army weapons officer states that Vulcan's six barrels are capable of firing 4000 rounds a minute. It is seen chin-mounted on a turret in the front and is able to be guided by pilot's helmet movements.

The GE M61 Vulcan 20mm Cannon.

The army weapons officer states that Blue Thunder's six barrels are capable of firing 4000 rounds a minute.

The weapons officer shows that the Vulcan is able to be guided by pilot's helmet movements.

Closeup of the Vulcan cannon firing.

The turret shows that the Vulcan can be fired at a 90 degree angle.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 HB

Several police officers are armed with the Smith & Wesson Model 10 HB. They are seen using them when responding to the 211 at the liquor store.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 - .38 Special.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 .38 Snubnose

Colonel Cochrane (Malcolm McDowell) takes out his Smith & Wesson Model 10 snubnose and fires at Murphy as he takes off with Blue Thunder. Officer Frank Murphy (Roy Scheider) points his .38 snub at an angry mechanic while he sits in Blue Thunder. Fletcher (David Sheiner) draws one as well when trying to steal the surveillance tape at the TV station.

Smith & Wesson Model 10 snub nose revolver - .38 Special. Same frame, but with smaller grips and 2 inch barrel.

"You talkin' to me?" Murphy aims his .38 at a helicopter mechanic.

Closeup of the S&W revolver carried by Officer Lymangood (Daniel Stern) before it's taken away.

"You son of a bitch, I'll blow your head off!"

Fletcher is knocked out with a blackjack from the television station guard before he can fire.

Smith & Wesson Model 15

The Smith & Wesson Model 15 is drawn by the LA police officer (James Read) who stops Kate on the bridge. In some shots, the revolver appears to have changed into a Colt Python.

Smith & Wesson Model 15 - .38 Special

Kate (Candy Clark) is stopped by police officers carrying the S&W Model 15.

In this shot, the revolver appears to have changed into a Colt Python.

Smith & Wesson Model 60

A robbery suspect opens fire on Murphy's police helicopter with a Smith & Wesson Model 60.

Smith & Wesson Model 60, stainless variant of the model 36 - .38 Special.

A robbery suspect opens fire on Murphy's police helicopter with a Smith & Wesson Model 60.

Colt Detective Special

One of them men who attacks the councilwoman is armed with a Colt Detective Special that he fires before he's taken down by police officers.

Colt Detective Special 1st Gen - .38 Special

Browning M2 (Mocked up as M230 Chain Guns)

Two Browning M2 machine guns mocked up as Hughes 30mm M230 Chain Guns are mounted on Col. Cochrane's Hughes 500 helicopter.

Browning M2HB on vehicle mount - .50 BMG

Hughes/Alliant Techsystems M230 Chain Gun - 30mm

Twin mocked up Browning M2s are seen mounted on the Cochrane's Hughes helicopter.

M60 Machine Gun

SWAT officers try to knock down Blue Thunder with their M60 machine guns.

M60 machine gun - 7.62x51mm NATO

SWAT officer fires his M60 at Blue Thunder. The M60 appears to have a brass catcher.

Another SWAT officer with his M60.

M16A1

SWAT officers fire M16A1 rifles as they attempt to take down Blue Thunder during the chase in the Los Angeles river basin.

M16A1 with 20 round magazine - 5.56x45mm. What distinguishes it from the original M16 was the addition of a raised rib around the magazine release button, changing of the forward Receiver pins, and the addition of the forward assist button on the upper receiver.

A SWAT officer fires an M16A1 at Blue Thunder from his police helicopter.

Another shot of the officer firing his M16A1.

MGC Replica M16 rifle

A SWAT officer is briefly seen with an MGC M16 replica when exiting the SWAT van.

The MGC M16 Assault rifle: a non firing metal replica built by the Model Gun Corp of Japan and one of the most used non firing replicas of the M16 in movies and television

Winchester Model 70

Another SWAT officer exiting the van is seen with the Winchester Model 70.

Remington 870

The standard police riot Remington 870 is seen being carried and fired by LA police officers.

Remington 870 Police Magnum Riot Shotgun - 12 Gauge

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An LA police officer fires his Remington 870.

Trivia Section

• The "Blue Thunder" chopper in reality is a French Aerospatiale Gazelle with the cockpit section modded. This cockpit section was also used as part of a Mil-24 Hind in the movie Firefox.
• Stock footage of the helicopter from "Blue Thunder" is used in the introduction to the videogame Homefront.

The Blue Thunder cockpit as seen in Firefox.

Blue Thunder seen in the intro to Homefront.