Air America Movie Hiding Plane Source Bing.com
The Air America movie is a 1990 action comedy film based on the CIA’s role in the Vietnam War. The film starred Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr., and was directed by Roger Spottiswoode. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is when the CIA hides a plane in plain sight. This article will explore the details of that scene and how it was executed.
The Plot
Air America Movie Hiding Plane Plot Source Bing.com
The scene takes place towards the end of the movie, where Gibson’s character, Billy, and Downey Jr.’s character, Gene, are tasked with transporting a shipment of opium out of Laos. However, they are being chased by the Laotian army and need to find a way to hide their plane. They stumble upon a small village where they see a plane that is painted to look like a Coca-Cola delivery plane. The CIA had set up the plane as a decoy, hoping that the Laotians would mistake it for a commercial flight and not notice the actual cargo plane flying overhead.
The Execution
Air America Movie Hiding Plane Execution Source Bing.com
The scene was shot in Thailand, where the crew had to find a suitable location for the village. They eventually found a small village that was perfect for the scene. The production team then had to create the fake Coca-Cola plane, which was a Cessna 310 painted to look like a commercial plane. They used a Coca-Cola logo and painted the plane in red and white, with a fake registration number. The plane was then placed in the middle of the village, with fake buildings and storefronts surrounding it. The crew even had to hire local extras to walk around the plane, making it look like a busy commercial airport.
The Legacy
Air America Movie Hiding Plane Legacy Source Bing.com
The scene became one of the most memorable moments in the movie and has been referenced in other films and TV shows. It also sparked interest in the real-life Air America, which was a CIA-owned airline that operated during the Vietnam War. The airline’s role in the war has been the subject of controversy, with allegations that it was involved in drug trafficking and other illegal activities.
The Verdict
Air America Movie Hiding Plane Verdict Source Bing.com
The Air America movie’s hiding plane scene was a clever and memorable moment in the film. The crew’s attention to detail in creating the fake Coca-Cola plane and village was impressive, and the scene has become a pop culture reference. Whether or not the real-life Air America was involved in similar activities is still up for debate, but the movie’s portrayal of the CIA’s role in the Vietnam War is a fascinating study in history and politics.
