Flying Wing (Nazi prototype aircraft)

A sleek Nazi prototype aircraft (the Flying Wing) circles and lands on the Tanis airstrip near fuel trucks. Its rear-mounted propellers reverse and spin wildly after a jammed throttle sends the engines to full power, the blades whipping like guillotines and threatening combatants during the brawl. Indy and Marion fight mechanics beside the aircraft; Marion knocks the pilot dead and becomes trapped as the cockpit snaps shut. The plane plows into a tank truck, spilling aviation fuel; the hazard from the thrashing propellers and fuel ultimately contributes to its crash, leaving a smoking wreck. Purpose: transports the Ark on an urgent flight from the dig site.

4 appearances

Purpose

Transports the Ark on an urgent flight from the dig site

Significance

Anchors the brutal airstrip fight where Indy and Marion confront Nazis; Marion's cockpit trap tests their partnership amid spinning death; its fiery crash destroys the Ark's air evacuation plan, forcing truck transfer to Cairo and igniting Indy's pursuit.

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

4 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Stakeout and Escalation at the Flying Wing

The Flying Wing is the central set piece: it lands, is refueled, and becomes the locus of the fight. Its spinning reversed propellers create a lethal perimeter; its movement after the pilot is incapacitated causes collision with a tank truck and the fuel spill that turns the rescue into a race against time.

Before: Landed and idling near fuel trucks, engines roaring, wheels chocked on one side.

After: Has rotated and its fuselage slices into a tank truck; engines revved and plane is rolling/damaged while Marion remains trapped in the cockpit.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Locked In as the Wing Roars

The Flying Wing is the central hazard and stage: it lands, idles with reversed propellers spinning; the melee happens beside its wings; when the pilot falls on the throttle the plane pivots, strikes a tank truck and spills fuel. Its props create lethal margins that define the fight's stakes.

Before: On the runway, engines idling, one set of tires braced by blue chocks, parked near fuel trucks.

After: Has pivoted into a tank truck, struck and ruptured the truck, begun to roll with engines revving; cockpit closed trapping Marion; plane rendered a live danger on the strip.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Ark Secured — Sallah Returns

The Flying Wing is the smoking wreck at the scene whose second fuel-tank explosion drives the crowd to the ground and catalyzes immediate Nazi evacuation orders. It functions as both hazard and plot catalyst, concentrating attention and creating the opportunity to move the Ark quickly.

Before: Intact but damaged on the airstrip, recently collided with ground obstacles and burning.

After: Further destroyed and smoldering after a second tank detonates, area declared dangerous and evacuated.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Sallah Returns — Ark Bound for Cairo

The Flying Wing is the site of catastrophic failure — its second fuel tank explosion creates the smoking wreckage that catalyzes the scene. Its ruin focuses attention, forces leadership decisions, and provides the chaotic backdrop that enables both Nazi evacuation plans and covert movement by locals.

Before: Recently crashed and smoking; observers are gathered around the wreck.

After: Burning wreckage; scene of multiple concussive effects and emergency response actions.

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