In the fifties of the last century in the Soviet Union, every teenager dreamed of the legendary bicycle "Eaglet". He was the most desired gift for every child from seven to fourteen years old. In Minsk, they mastered the production of new items. Later, the Šiauliai plant began to produce them.
The bicycle "Eaglet" in the minds of a Soviet child was the highest award, a pipe dream. A handsome man with exactly the same frame as the "Ukraine" (only smaller), height flush with the chest. Different models were produced for girls and boys: the Erelyusas with a double top pipe for young people and the Kregždute for lovely ladies. The explicit Baltic accent in the names of these models is not accidental, because the legendary bicycle "Eaglet" was born at the Šiauliai factory "Vairas". This factory is famous for its engines for mopeds.
What was the Eaglet bike for a Soviet-era student? It was status, pride, the belief that "life is beautiful." It was easy to climb rapidly uphill, rushing along the village road with a breeze, catching the admiring glances of peers.
To have a bike "Eaglet", the photo of which you see in this article, and not some primitive "Schoolboy", was as prestigious as possessing inserts from foreign chewing gum.
I must say that in those days, not everyone became happy owners of the "great", so the one who fate smiled at should have been prepared for the fact that the "horseless" friends would ask them to ride a new bicycle and make a circle around the yard. It was impossible to refuse. This was considered an act reprehensible and even indecent.
I must say that in the Soviet Union they always loved and were very kind to the word "eaglet". This name was given to the very best: the pioneer camp, a ringing song, the best bike in the world. He was a kind of symbol of the era. The legendary bike "Eaglet" was the only non-assembled model, suitable in size for high school students. For many, he became a ticket to the life of an adult cyclist.
Children's bicycles "Eaglet" were a transitional stage from a two-wheeled model for schoolchildren-kids ("Veterok") to bicycles for adults. That is why it was so common among teenagers of that time. It symbolized the beginning of familiarization with "adult" bicycles. The Eaglet was in the same class as the Schoolboy, but was at a higher level, leaving far behind its competitors.
It is interesting that today there is a community of fans of bicycles produced in the Soviet Union. These lovers of rare models comically call themselves "crocodile growers." Their main goal is to find and buy old bicycles and bring them into working condition.
Quite a lot of time has passed since the creation of the magnificent "Eaglet", but even today many remember it. Many of our compatriots associate it with a happy and carefree childhood, when the bicycle was a real reason for pride, as well as the bright dream of every child.