Atoflex-derived Models

The ATOMS Atoflex of 1948 fathered a large tribe of cameras spanning several companies and around twenty years of development. Most followed in one form or another the geared-lens approach which it began. As yet, I haven't found an original Atoflex, although the leather case for one of my Rex Aiglons - see below - has the name 'Rex Atoflex' imprinted on it!
Hervé Pont identifies the 'faux reflex' (i.e. fixed focus) Aiglon (Eaglet) twin-lens camera of 1946 as the original foundation of the breed, evolving into the geared-lens Atoflex.
On his excellent website, Sylvain Halgand, with whom I have corresponded and traded in the past, says that ATOMS was formed in Nice in 1946, the name being an abbreviation 'Technicians' Association in Optics and Scientific Mechanics'. The first product was the fixed focus Aiglon below, with no coupling between the focusing and object lenses. The Atoflex, of around 1948, was a sharply improved version, of true reflex (focusing) format. There were three models of Atoflex, the differences of which lie in the shutter speed range and the objective lens fitted. Shutters made by Atoms were baptized ATOS (versions 1 and 2 are used). In 1950, Atoms decided to manufacture a simplified Atoflex (fewer shutter speeds of closing and no sports sight), reusing the Aiglon name.