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War Stories

Cobra AH-1G Emergency Canopy Breakaway Knife:

What do you remember?

The AH-1G Cobra canopy breaker tool is a heavy, stubby emergency egress knife officially designated by part number 61D4383 (National Stock Number 1680-00-296-8156). It was designed to shatter thick Plexiglas cockpit canopies rather than slice through them if a pilot needed to punch out following a crash or roll-over.

These are still in use on the AH-1 Cobra series helicopters.
Blade Length: 2.5"
Total Length: 8.75"

Military Aircraft Canopy Breaker Escape Tool. Heavy duty knife/tool usually held in a bracket attached to the canopy, used to break out plastic or glass in order to escape from an aircraft cockpit. A locking pin is used to secure the tool in a bracket is included, but no mounting bracket. Used by all military services in many types of modern aircraft. Heavy weight machined steel brute of a tool, showing slight corrosion on the handle and blade. The tool is painted overall dull black.