The Glastron Carlson CV23HT was a fictional customized speedboat manufactured by Glastron and subsequently modified by the British Secret Intelligence Service's (SIS/MI6) research and development division, Q Branch. The vessel appeared prominently in EON Productions' 1979 James Bond film Moonraker.
Appearance[]
After reporting to an MI6 base in Brazil, Bond is provided with a modified Glastron Carlson CV23HT and travels the Amazon River looking for Hugo Drax's research facility. There, he encounters Jaws and other henchmen; a speedboat chase develops. Bond escapes from his boat just before it hits the Iguazu Falls, utilizing a concealed paraglider. The boat plummets over the edge of the waterfall and is presumed destroyed.
Behind the Scenes[]
Iguazu Falls was a natural location depicted in the film, although as stated by Q in the film, the falls were intended to be located somewhere in the upper basin of the Amazon River rather than where the falls are actually located in the south of Brazil. The second unit had originally planned on sending an actual boat over the falls.[2] However, on attempting to release it, the boat became firmly embedded on rocks near the edge. Despite a dangerous attempt by helicopter and rope ladder to retrieve it, the plan had to be abandoned, forcing the second unit to use a miniature at Pinewood Studios instead.[2] In total, three (some sources are declaring four) boats were assigned for Moonraker with special paint - silver metalflake gelcoat over gray. Only one original boat survived and is owned by the Ian Fleming Foundation.[1]
Gadgets[]
The Carlson's hidden equipment were armed and operated by switches on a pull-out drawer to the left of the steering wheel.
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Bullet screen — For additional protection, like the Aston Martin DB5, the Carlson comes equipped with a bullet-proof rear screen. At the flick of a switch the sheet of metal rises from the rear to reveal the vessel's armaments and forms a protective barrier across the rear window. |
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Torpedo tube — A single rear-firing guided torpedo tube is concealed behind the boat's rear light. The weapon is launched by a switch on a slide-out panel to the left of the steering wheel. |
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Mine launchers — The Carlson was equipped with a pair of rear-mounted mine launchers, concealed beneath the rear paneling. Each was armed with a total of three miniature mines, simultaneously deployable via a switch on the control console. |
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Paraglider mode — As a last resort, the boat was equipped with an emergency escape mode which allowed the operator to eject the vehicle's roof, deploying a paraglider. When a ripcord on the ceiling is pulled, the paraglider unfolds and detaches from the boat. |
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Gallery[]
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