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Planes and Trucks and Guns (Oh My!) - Anyone Know? [Small Spoiler]

posted 10 years ago by ghayes-2
3 replies | jump to latest

Does anyone happen to know what model of Dakota the mercenaries commandeered? Also the trucks they nabbed and the model of machine gun at the takeoff? (I know it was called a Vickers, but I don't know if there are variants.)

I'm interested in making a diorama or two - the bridge scene and the takeoff - so any info on these details would be kindly received.

[–] Colonel-Lingus 10 years ago

The Vickers is just that, a Vickers made beltfed machine gun. Served from WWI through the 1960s. The British streamlined the Maxim design and it was made of extremely high quality materials. Known for having a lot of external brass parts and being stone cold reliable. Other than the Browning 1919, the best heavy machine gun ever made. Probably tied with the Browning.

The Dakota is a local cargo conversion of a WWII Douglas C-47.....any DC3 kit with windows will probably be suitable. The actual aircraft used in the movie is here:

http://www.dc-3.co.za/dc-3-individual-aircraft-history/cn-6154.html

The trucks on the bridge are Bedford Army trucks belonging to the South African Defense force:

http://www.sa-transport.co.za/military/army/bedford_truck_01_jd03.JPG

Don't spread my wealth, spread my work ethic

[–] ghayes-2 10 years ago

Much appreciated! As Patton said to Rommel, "Many Tanks!"

[–] sascha-17 9 years ago

Other than the Browning 1919, the best heavy machine gun ever made. Probably tied with the Browning.

While both are excellent guns, don't forget the Browning M2 (.50 cal) and the German MG42. M2 is a heavy hitter, has been used in countless roles and is still in service to this day. MG42 was a lot more modern than either the 1919 or the Vickers (both are in essence WW1 guns), it had a tremendous rate of fire, was cheap to build, easy to maintain/service and was highly adaptable as well. Plus it also continued to serve into the 21st century in the form of the MG3, which is basically an MG42 slightly updated and re-chambered to 7.62 NATO.

S.