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Canopy breaking tools

RV-4

Well Known Member
Hi All

I know this topic has been discussed at lenght before but I couldn't find the info so here it goes again ..

Last sunday on our grass strip , a good friend of mine crashed his Mustang 2 on take off and I had to break the canopy by hand ( a lot thicker than an RV Canopy btw( almost 3/8 '' for the windshield ) to pull them out of the inverted aircraft and when doing so I cut my hands in a few places.

After the fact, it brought back to light how hard it is to break a canopy when it is resting on firm ground with the weight of the aircraft on top of it.It also made me more aware of how hard if not impossible to get out of an RV ( or any other bubble canopy aircraft ) once it is inverted.

I know some of us here are using canopy breaker like we used to have in the Air Force and I would like to know where I could buy a few of them ( some of my friends want one too ).

Thank you for your help.

Bruno
[email protected]

BTW: My friend suffered 7 broken vertabreas and a few broken ribs but he should recover fully. The doctors who operated on him, told him that he was extremely lucky to be alive or not paralysed..

The aircraft is a total loss.
 
Egress Tool

After I saw this thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=60863&highlight=canopy+break+tool

which at the end of had a link to this page:
http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/Chapter105Meeting.html

which linked to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63eMVRQkM6c&noredirect=1

I ordered a bunch of these tools for Oshkosh:
7835637-23.jpg


http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Emergency-Escape-Tool/productinfo/EET01/#.UjJHIcasiSo

Unfortunately nobody bought them at $13ea, tried $9 the next year. This year $7ea. Free with any canopy cover order??

-
 
9MM or 40 Cal

Carry a compact 9MM or 40 Cal pistol. Will get you out of your canopy/window and provides good protection over terrain and in survival mode. Also carry a USMC Kbar knife...good multi-purpose survival tool.

Have a survival kit too? I carry a complete 2 person, store bought kit and only leave it behind (rarely) for weight.

Gordon

Lancair ES N144GP
 
Escape Tools

Hi Mike

It looks like a nice little tool but it doesn't seem to have the critical mass to provide a good bang vs these orange hammers we see in one of your links..

Gordon
Living in Canada where Gun controls in a normal thing, if I carried a 9mm or a 40 Cal pistol, I wouldn't have to worry about a canopy breaking Tools to get me out of the aircraft...

There will be a few dozens cops surrounding the aircraft to help me out of it..:D

Thanks for the info guys, keep the ideas coming.

Bruno
[email protected]
 
I bought the LifeHammer based on the tests shown in the links in the posts above.

However, as I continued to make and collect the items to complete the "travel bag", I realized that what I really wanted was a canopy cracker that could double as the hammer I use for tiedown stakes. The LifeHammer is too light (which was a positive at the time).

I do not have a solution yet. I just wanted to post the point in order to cause thought by others.
 
Here's a much better solution. Apparently has a 30 minute battery life. you can just cut a whole through the side of the fuselage.

2ive58w.jpg
 
Fuel Leak

Here's a much better solution. Apparently has a 30 minute battery life. you can just cut a whole through the side of the fuselage.

2ive58w.jpg



I'd be careful with this tool around a fuel leak....especially if you're trapped inside:eek:
 
Last edited:
After I saw this thread:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=60863&highlight=canopy+break+tool

which at the end of had a link to this page:
http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/Chapter105Meeting.html

which linked to this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63eMVRQkM6c&noredirect=1

I ordered a bunch of these tools for Oshkosh:
7835637-23.jpg


http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Emergency-Escape-Tool/productinfo/EET01/#.UjJHIcasiSo

Unfortunately nobody bought them at $13ea, tried $9 the next year. This year $7ea. Free with any canopy cover order??

-

Make a canopy cover for the high-performance RV-12, and I'll order one (and would like a free escape tool, please :D )
 
Why carry dead weight that you hope you'll never use? Here's an emergency canopy breaker with mass, a comfortable grip and is useful for tightening bolts or driving tie-down stakes. Adjustable jaws allow you to snap off sharp plexi edges.

Modified by sharpening the various points.

20130810_0434.JPG


Cheers
 
I'll

Be carrying a sharp hatchet. Not high tech at all. Carried one at all times during my career as a professional firefighter. You would be surprised at the amount of damage you can do in a very short time with one of these. Light weight and has other uses after the crash if necessary.
 
Canopy breaker

Hi Bruce

Yes that will be it ...

Wonder if they have the knife holder so it can be mounted in the aircraft..

It is fairly expensive too but I guess they must be fairly rare..

Will keep an eye on it.

Thanks

Bruno
 
I've always thought something could be made that would fit permanently over the bottom end of the fire extinguisher, something with a mild point on it.
Usually at hand, has mass behind it if swung, dual purpose, mount already there, etc.
Never got round to it myself.
John
 
Nice!

Here is what I carry in my -6. Made for just that scenario.

Leave it in the sheath for breaking the canopy and its then an excellent survival knife. It has good mass and swings easier than a hammer in tight spaces. Point in handle is used to break the canopy. Not field tested by me but by manuf. Available here:

http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/GB1629/Gerber-LMF-II-Infantry-Black-484-inch-Fixed-Blade-Sheath

Man.....thats the one I like best!!!! I am getting that one:D
 
I like it

Carry a compact 9MM or 40 Cal pistol. Will get you out of your canopy/window and provides good protection over terrain and in survival mode. Also carry a USMC Kbar knife...good multi-purpose survival tool.

Have a survival kit too? I carry a complete 2 person, store bought kit and only leave it behind (rarely) for weight.

Gordon

Lancair ES N144GP

It is also a great sound signaling device if your looking to get rescued.

Randy
8A
 
The problem with just "breaking" the canopy is that if you are upside down an in soft dirt/grass, I doubt you will be able to wiggle out. Having the ability to cut the fuselage seems a much better, or at least, alternative option. Thus my "hack-saw" idea. (FYI, I have nothing on board other than my fire extinguisher to break out with.) We had someone locally who went upside down in a -6 in a few inches of water. He just about drowned and though his canopy was shattered was not able to get out. He had to wait till the help arrived.
 
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