1.0Univers Autojaunehttps://universautojaune.com/en/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="OUVSgYsAKJ"><a href="https://universautojaune.com/en/2025/11/09/les-deux-oncles/">The two uncles</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://universautojaune.com/en/2025/11/09/les-deux-oncles/embed/#?secret=OUVSgYsAKJ" width="600" height="338" title="“The two uncles” — Univers Autojaune" data-secret="OUVSgYsAKJ" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script type="text/javascript"> /* <![CDATA[ */ /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://universautojaune.com/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js /* ]]> */ </script> https://universautojaune.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Skybird-coffret-anti-aircraft-gun.jpg980653verse from a song by Georges Brassens, "Les deux oncles": "The only generals we should follow at the heels of are the generals of the little tin soldiers." These words came back to me while looking at a set of miniatures, accessories, and military figurines produced by Skybird in the 1930s and scheduled for this week. This firm deserves your attention for the care taken with its products. This English manufacturer has dedicated its production to the world of aviation. Our English friends have always had a passion for airplanes. Skybird began producing wooden airplane models, sold in boxes to build or fully assembled. These are easily recognized by their high level of finish. It seems to me that this Skybird production of airplane models, faithful reproductions, is a unique case. No other manufacturer has had the madness to embark on such an adventure. The target audience was adults: the assembly of struts, biplane wings, and wiring was not within the reach of children. Clearly, the mere sight of the various raw wooden elements would have discouraged them. A decoration sheet and assembly instructions were provided with the model. Skybird went so far as to create a magazine and a club. The firm was so successful that it extended its production to the environment of its aircraft models, producing hangars, but also all the elements that are only found on airfields such as anemometers, control towers, windsocks... Very quickly, the military understood the benefit they could gain from aircraft in "modern warfare". Skybird thus declined the entire environment of a military airfield: defense cannon, listening system allowing the arrival of aircraft to be heard from very far away, anti-aircraft searchlight... We have some of these elements for sale this week. These accessories were delivered in beautiful boxes with expressive figurines: some observe through binoculars or run at full speed, others are equipped with a parachute and ready to go into combat... Continuing in its logic, the English firm will also produce refueling vehicles as well as Lanchester trucks and armored cars, familiar from these airfields. It's a favorite. I hope you will appreciate these products as I do. Before the Second World War, Liverpool, perhaps inspired by Skybird, also declined a superb series of military vehicles and figurines. This week we have the Morris reconnaissance truck which is a faithful reproduction of this vehicle. This range of military vehicles, resumed after the war, symbolizes the good health of the company. At the time of decline, at the end of the fifties, there will be no more new products in this military range. As for the range of racing cars, Liverpool will extend their presence in the catalog. We have a good example with an Austin Champ in a box reserved for the American market sold in the mid-sixties. Delivered with this type of box, it is an uncommon product. The American market was demanding military models. Dinky Toys, like Corgi Toys, will give in to the easy option, and will be content to decline in military versions models originally designed for another range. We thus have for sale this Willys Universal Jeep that Liverpool will dress in a khaki dress and decorate with an American white star. These models are interesting and deserve your attention. For a long time they were negotiated at high prices.