However, it is a serious anachronism that history buffs will notice immediately.
A rocket launcher like the one Indy was seen holding was still a few years over the horizon.
But unlike the single-shot German weapon, the RPG-2 could be reloaded.
The RPG-2 was a fairly basic weapon. It had basic iron sights, and after a round was loaded the weapon was charged by pulling back on the thumb-cocked hammer above the pistol grip.
Instead, the designers began anew and the result was the RPG-2.
It was made of stamped steel that was covered with wood to protect the operator from the launch heat.
As with many Soviet weapons, it was designed to be easy to operate.
Harrison Ford has the distinction of being one of the few movie stars to be seen with an RPG-2. As Indiana Jones, he threatened to blow up the Ark of the Covenant.
Its optics were in a word, basic, and involved just a flip-up iron sight.
Tank armor notably with the American Patton series had increased, making the anti-tank weapon obsolete.
The anti-tank weapon was carried by terrorists during the third season episode A Hiding To Nothing.
The launcher was light and compact. A second crewman typically carried a shoulder case that could hold three rounds as well as cleaner and tools forthe RPG-2.
Id certainly love to hear if anyone knows of any that are in private collections.
The prices have steadily increased, however.
The firing pins should also be removed.
The RPG-2 was widely employed by the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN), which was also referred to as the North Vietnamese Army (or NVA).
An accurate (yet inert) replica PG-2 HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) rounds and Cold War era shoulder case, which could hold three rounds.
A Soviet RPG-2 and a Bren LMG were weapons captured by U.S. Marines during the 1983 invasion of Grenada as part of Operation Urgent Fury. Image: JO1 Peter D. Sundberg/DoD
Like the SKS rifle, the RPG-2 was essentially obsolete by the time it was introduced, but it still found use around the world.
A member of the 4th Bn., 22nd Inf., 25th Inf. Div. (Light) prepares to fire a Soviet RPG-2 rocket launcher during the joint Royal Thai/U.S. Army Exercise Cobra Gold ’87. Image: Al Chang/DoD
InWe Were Soldiers(2002), a PAVN (People’s Army of Vietnam) soldier is seen wearing a protective hood and goggles while usingthe RPG-2.
This RPG-2 has been appropriately deactivated — it has a hole cut in the side of the tube. A bar has also been welded in place and the firing pin removed.
