Every now and then a question pops up about what appears to be a non-USGI Jet Pilot Survival Knife.  One species of this class of blades are those that made by Camillus.  They were 5 inch blades that were in most respects identical to the USGI versions made by Camillus except that the blades and metal fittings were bright and had the fullers eliminated.  Blade whiz Frank Trzaska educated me on these many years ago telling me that Camillus called these "platform knives".  By that Camillus meant that they were to be used by other vendors for the creation of commemorative knives of various sorts.   It is possible that Camillus also used them for their own commemorative type of knives.   The example shown below is from my collection.  It has not had any type of commemorative treatment affixed to it.  Note that the sheath has bright snaps and rivets in contrast to the USGI version.     To fill this topic out I am now going to show an advertisement for one of the Camillus platform knives that has had the commemorative treatment applied.  In this case it is an ad I ran across recently which was published in the December 1984 issue of Guns & Ammo magazine by Westwind Productions.  As can be seen it is part of a series of seven such knives commemorating the "Aircraft of Vietnam".  This particular one is a tribute to the F4 Phantom.  The ad indicates that 1000 such blades will be made for each aircraft.  It acknowledges that each knife will be accompanied by "...a signed letter from Camillus Cutlery verifying that this is the same knife issued to U.S. Pilots during the Vietnam conflict."  Well, not exactly but close.     This one was described in the ad as the second in the series.  I don't know if the series was every completed.  I don't recall ever seeing one but it would not have left a big impression on me as commemorative items are not something that holds much interest to me.  I bought my example shown up top as it seemed an odd ball to me and I was yet to be educated by Frank T. on its purpose.   So if you see one of these around you now know a bit of its history and when and where it came from.     Regards, Charlie

You might try the World Militaria Forum since this forum is for US only.

Clearing out my storage; top one, before the “demotion,” the bottom one after, lol!

Thank you!

I could be going off on a wim, but that particular spot of the strut is a place that I consistently smash my lower leg and ankle on. Having driven them and being a passenger for long distances, I have often got bruises purely by resting my leg against it.  I wonder if a taller than average driver did it. 

Alex_bio,          I translated your response (via Google Translator) for other Forum Members. Please correct me if the translation is not accurate:    Hi! Yes, I applied exactly the same one! Thanks for the advice! Now I am having some cards made about which bullet and with the drawing, etc. Like it was a museum!"       Very Good! The wax will preserve your wonderful find for many years! Ciao, John            

Got most of the airframe done. Now mask what I need to mask to get some airbrushing done. This kit goes together well.    Semper Fi.   Manny

. hi earlymb,   Thanks,  It was good to see the wider spaced holes on my friends wing.     All pillars match identical in the way they are formed and the central holes in them, all except the size, length and depth of this scallop or curve in the side wall, as they are all different sizes I can't see it was formed by anything mechanical, I feel the size and depth of the scallops were created by hand on a grinding wheel or such.  I see no reason for this small scallop on the side wall it doesn't affect or interfere or connect with anything else on the Jeep, and in no-way could it be considered a weight saving idea, a bizarre mystery each Jeep is different.  It's so insignificant really that most people don't even notice it.   I feel that since all the wartime builders are no longer with us that we will never find out the reason for it, but for me I have to ask the question    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 29 March  2O26.   …

A late congrats. With prices on milsurp rifles these days, you got a great deal!

Thank you!  The work continues!