Hi all, Could someone tell me where was the Escape Axe located in a Horsa Glider? How many were there in a glider? one or more? And more difficult question : would someone know the history of the Escape Axes? How many were built? etc. Thanks a lot & Regards, Ludo
The escape axe is not a Horsa specific item but standard RAF aircrew rescue equipment (27N/1 - Axe, Fire, F.B. Helved). It was also a common item carried on Bombers and other thin skinned aircraft. The Horsa carried two axes - one in the main fuselage at the rear on the front face of bulkhead No.8 along with the saw and wire cutters. In the Mk.I the second axe was attached to the inboard side of the 1st pilots seat and on the Mk.II in a small pocket situated in the footwell attached to the 2nd pilots seat. The "Metalax" escape axes were made by Edward Elwell Limited in Staffordshire or Chillington Tool Company from Wolverhampton and stamped as such. Empirically pre-1945 axes seem to all have a crown stamp on them but then seem to have switched to the Government ownership "Broad Arrow" there after. The handles were moulded black rubber with a diamond pattern grip in the centre section along with the patent number and the notice that the axe was rated to cut through cable carrying up to 20,000 volts. The USAAF had an identical axes (possibly to the same pattern) made by Gemtor that had no stamps on it. They had 42D8331 stamped into the handle whereas the RAF ones had Pat. No. 515767. Dunno how many were made - thousands probably as they were standard equipment but I know there were very popular as surplus as hand axes for cutting firewood. Our scout troop had at least 6 and you could pick them up for pennies in surplus stores. Most of the surviving ones have worn smooth handles due to repeated civilian use or had the rubber replaced.
