Skybirds Models

[Mark Braunlich]

Skybirds League membership pin

[Balsabasher]

When you think that in 1936 the Skybirds league had over 500 clubs spread across the UK and Ireland,carried a three to five page spread in the back of the old 'Aeromodeller' magazine,had specialised counters in the London toyshops such as Gamages,were working flat out from July to fulfill the Christmas orders for kits and models,hand packed and assembled models by mostly women workers,encouraged shop window displays for retailers with complete aerodromes such as Croydon in miniature,mid boggling !

By the way the free space in the back of the Aeromodeller was axed when there was a distinct management upheaval within the publishing company,it did not go down very well with Skybirds and their followers,basically the magazine wanted them to pay heavily for the space which to be true had helped sales of the magazine during lean times,things were never quite the same afterwards as the happy working space was axed and replaced with other paying kit manufacturers,if you can find that particular historic issue you will find the stern comments from the managing director of the 'Aeromodeller' magazine.
A bit of Skybirds social history.
Barry.

[Mark Braunlich]

Barry,
Skybirds pages last appeared in the December, 1937 issue of Aero Modeller.

[Mark Braunlich]

A very nice Skybirds Airspeed Courier, kit no. 22, first released July, 1934.

[Mark Braunlich]

A couple of Skybirds auction lots from the past.

[Balsabasher]

What an attractive subject that Airspeed Courier makes,I once built a free flight example from a plan in the old 'Model Aircraft' magazine,it flew very well for a low wing design finishing up in a tree ! I had it hanging up in my workshop for a long time but it was scrapped off a few years ago during a move,if I find the plan then it may be considered for a solid subject.
Great evocative pictures Mark,well done in finding them.
Barry.

[Mark Braunlich]

Just visible in the previous picture in this thread is the 6-wheel Scammell Lorry.  Skybirds didn't make many die-cast vehicles to go with their model airplanes but the Scammell was probably the nicest.  Here are some views of the Skybirds model Scammell and a view of a preserved example of the vehicle it is based on.

[Balsabasher]

Quite a few companies got on the band wagon in producing compatible models to use with the Skybirds airfield layouts,those old hangars are  super subjects for making period replicas.
Barry.

[Mark Braunlich]

A Skybirds Supermarine Walrus in parts along with (3) S.E.5As and a Camel, part of a lot recently on ebay.  The Walrus has a pot-metal hull casting and I believe this is unique among the kits produced by this firm.

[Mark Braunlich]

A very nice unbuilt Skybirds Lockheed Vega in the original box.

[lastvautour]

Sweet, that must be worth a pretty penny.

Lou

[Mark Braunlich]

One of the last Skybirds, the Hawker Tempest V from 1945-46.  This is the last form of packaging from the austere post-war period.

[Will]

A very nice unbuilt Skybirds Lockheed Vega in the original box.

Mark,

That Vega kit is in such lovely condition I think it may be a 1990's repro; I remembered reading this passage when I was first getting interested in "Solids":
Good news: David Hughes of HOASKA plans to reissue the Skybirds Lockheed Vega! A set of components is likely to cost around £10.00, and if there is sufficient demand it may have replica box and instructions for £25.00-ish.  Quote from http://www.zeteo.com/avia-mini/News96.ihtml - don't bother about the new book mentioned, I contacted the publisher and they had dropped the project.

The condition of the box is so good, no edge wear and the card is gloss finish unlike the genuinely old examples, everything looks too fresh and on the ebay listing one of the photos shows modern packaging foam.  On the old ones the front label is the same format as the lid, not wide stripes on the sides.  Still it does look very nice.  Its only a fake if the vendor is passing it off as genuine.

There are a couple of other period-built skybirds on ebay at present, another Vega and an Orion.

Regards
Will

[Will]

The unbuilt Tempest sold for GBP 113.11 whilst the (possibly Repro) Lockheed Vega was 139.55.  I don't imagine they'll get built at those prices!

The period-built Vega and Orion went for around GBP 35 each, a bit expensive for the standard and condition, a bargain compared to the boxed ones though.

Regards
Will

[Mark Braunlich]

Here's a Skybirds Curtiss Hawk 75 / P-36A / Mohawk, kit #16C released Oct, 1938 likely restored with modern decals but very nicely done.