Question for WW2 knife buffs

[clockworkgator]

Gents,

My great uncle spent 3 years in the Pacific as a plane mechanic (trained at Keesler Field in Biloxi, enlisted in 42) and as part of a MRRS unit (stripped downed and disabled planes before the enemy could get to them). Unfortunately he passed before I was born, but I'm wondering what pocket knife he would've been most likely issued given his theater and job?

I know this won't be an exact science. (I know Marines had the Kingstons, but he was in the pre-AF Army Air Corps.)

Coincidentally, he was from the Albion/Rochester area and worked as the chief engineer on an Erie Canal barge after the war. So I'm thinking he knew a thing or two about pocket steel and went through his fair share.

Any suggestions much appreciated.

 

[r8shell]

Camillus made an Army Air Corps Utility knife, which is basically an equal end cattle knife:

 

[Hickory n steel]

Camillus made an Army Air Corps Utility knife, which is basically an equal end cattle knife:

Very Interesting that they chose a knife with multiple blades instead of other tools, but it suppose that could be to avoid the habit of using anything but a properly sized screwdriver found In their issued kit of tools.

 

[Pinemoon]

Camillus made an Army Air Corps Utility knife, which is basically an equal end cattle knife:

Holy moly!
That little newspaper clipping in the above is quite the tale
Hope they had the morphine and plenty of it
Scheezee...

 

[clockworkgator]

Camillus made an Army Air Corps Utility knife, which is basically an equal end cattle knife:

I saw one of these earlier today! But I wasn't sure if mechanics would carry something with tools on it as well (like an electrician's knife). Then again, I'm not sure I'd want to be getting at a B-17 or a B-24 with a multi-tool.

 

[r8shell]

Very Interesting that they chose a knife with multiple blades instead of other tools, but it suppose that could be to avoid the habit of using anything but a properly sized screwdriver found In their issued kit of tools.

I saw one of these earlier today! But I wasn't sure if mechanics would carry something with tools on it as well (like an electrician's knife). Then again, I'm not sure I'd want to be getting at a B-17 or a B-24 with a multi-tool.

Yeah, I imagine a mechanic would have dedicated tool kits for actual mechanic work. These were likely just pocket knives for regular utility tasks. But I admit I'm only guessing. You might get more specific answers over in the Camillus Collector's forum (about the Camillus Knives, anyway)
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/camillus-collectors-forum.695/

 

[clockworkgator]

Yeah, I imagine a mechanic would have dedicated tool kits for actual mechanic work. These were likely just pocket knives for regular utility tasks. But I admit I'm only guessing. You might get more specific answers over in the Camillus Collector's forum (about the Camillus Knives, anyway)
https://www.bladeforums.com/forums/camillus-collectors-forum.695/

Thanks for the link. I think finding one of these in decent shape is going to be a *****. The story that's been passed down is that the mechanic in question and his best friend were trying to strip a plane on an island in the Pacific (Lord knows where at this point, the Marines cut air fields as they island hopped) and one minute they were laughing, the next instant he looks over and 98% of his friend is gone. I've been told he only told that story once and never talked about the war before or after.