White House Down is a passable made up film with a fantastic action sequence involving the presidential limo. The Inauguration is not made up and is really happening with the latest version of the Presidential limo.
Just in case you wondered, White House Down involves Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) who has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Worth watching simply to see the magnificent James Woods as the superbad villan.
Back to the car….It is built by General Motors for a rumoured $15m with Cadillac badges, referred to as Limo One by the Secret Service Ground Force One in the film and The Beast by everyone else.
The doors are eight inches thick, and completely seal the cabin to protect it from a chemical or biological attack. An oxygen supply in the boot that allows fresh air to be pumped into the cabin, plus two pints of blood matching the President’s type to allow for a transfusion. All windows are completely sealed and unable to roll down, and are able to withstand armor-piercing bullets and explosions. The tyres are coated in Kevlar to protect them from bursting, but he car can be driven on the wheels. The fuel tank is coated with armor plating and contains a special foam which expands on impact and prevents it from exploding. Night vision cameras, GPS tracking and a satellite communication system to allow means the President is always in contact.
And finally there are shotguns, night vision goggles and even tear gas launchers to complete a full compliment of 007 type devices.
Please click on the video as shows how the film company built the Beast.
What British politicians drive is a rather more sedate story, coming soon….
