07/01/2025
I Opened a Box with a Bayonet — And Here’s What I Found
https://youtube.com/shorts/DAzuDiWwEgQ?si=4pSn0aga2UBXH1hG
Hey folks, it’s L.T. from Surplus History, where we do unboxings the classy way — with a bayonet. Why? Because why settle for scissors when you can channel your inner trench raider, right?
Today I’m diving into a killer piece of kit from my friends over at Concord Aerospace the Fortunate Son Activation Panel. And yes, that name is as badass as it sounds.
https://www.concordaerospace.com/products/fortunate-son-activation-panel?sca_ref=8470771.Sy0litJfPr
If you use my code SURPLUSHISTORY at checkout, you’ll score a discount and help support the channel — which means more historical deep dives, more sarcastic rants, and more ridiculous bayonet unboxings. Win-win.
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The Fortunate Son Activation Panel: A First Look
This beauty landed on my doorstep wrapped up tight, practically begging for a glorious liberation by cold steel. So I drew the bayonet (slowly, dramatically, as any respectable military-history nerd would) and set about freeing the Fortunate Son from its cardboard prison.
The box never stood a chance.
Inside was a seriously cool piece: a military-spec inspired panel straight out of your Top Gun daydreams. Heavy, rugged, and painted to look like it survived a carrier deck or a Cold War hangar, this thing is built for anyone who wants to bring authentic mil-aero flavor to their hobby room, flight simulator rig, or bunker-themed bar.
Features include:
✅ Solid metal construction
✅ Classic labeling
✅ That satisfying click factor you crave
✅ The instant ability to make you hum “Fortunate Son” by Creedence
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Why Should You Care?
Look — most guys will drop cash on something silly for their man cave. A neon beer sign? A boring IKEA lamp? Come on.
Why not get a conversation piece that actually tells a story? This panel is a slice of vintage-inspired military cool. Show it off, geek out, and then drop the line, “Oh yeah, that’s my Fortunate Son Activation Panel” to your friends.
They’ll either be wildly impressed, or back away slowly. Both are solid outcomes.
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Support the Channel
If you grab your own panel, please use my affiliate link here and remember to use SURPLUSHISTORY at checkout. It kicks a bit of support my way so I can keep slicing open more boxes with questionable weaponry, and bringing you the hidden histories behind military surplus gear.
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Bonus: Surplus History Merch
Oh — while you’re throwing money around, check out the Surplus History merch shop. Shirts, mugs, patches, maybe even your next family heirloom. If you’ve ever wanted to wear your obsession with military collectibles on your chest (literally), this is your moment.
https://surplus-history-shop.fourthwall.com/
Use discount code: SURPLUSHISTORY
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Final Thoughts
In the end, this was one of the most satisfying unboxings I’ve done in a while. A rugged, beautifully finished panel with legit Cold War vibes, ready to install anywhere you want to flex your historical taste.
Got a suggestion for my next unboxing? Maybe a flamethrower? (Just kidding, Facebook's lawyers, chill.) Let me know in the comments, or hit me up with stories if you — or a veteran you know — had gear like this back in the day.
Stay safe, stay curious, and subscribe to Surplus History on YouTube for more vintage goodies and military deep-dives.
— L.T., Surplus History
DESCRIPTION We are delighted with the positive and warm reaction to our Fortunate Son toggle switch panels. Since we are always trying to improve and update our products, Concord Aerospace is happy to announce these new panel color and function variations based on initial customer feedback and reque...
