Herpa Wings - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Herpa Wings are die-cast model airplanes trademark under Herpa

Herpa

Herpa, or Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, is a German manufacturer of die-cast model aircraft under the Herpa Wings trademark and plastic car models under the Herpa Cars & Trucks trademark. The mainstay of Herpa Wings is in the 1/500 scale, although models are also produced in the 1/400, 1/200, and...

of Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

. The collection includes 250 airlines under 17 different aircraft manufacturers in 1,200 versions. The mainstay of Herpa Wings is in the 1:500 scale, while model airliner

Airliner

An airliner is a large fixed-wing aircraft for transporting passengers and cargo. Such aircraft are operated by airlines. Although the definition of an airliner can vary from country to country, an airliner is typically defined as an aircraft intended for carrying multiple passengers in commercial...

s are also produced in the 1:400, 1:200, 1:1000, and 1:160 scales. Herpa Wings model airliners may also be used in conjunction with Herpa

Herpa

's SCENIX series, which includes model diorama airports and airport accessories.

Herpa Wings has also produced model aircraft for many of the world's international airlines, which include Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines Limited is the flag carrier airline of Singapore. Singapore Airlines operates a hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets...

, Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific is the flag carrier of Hong Kong, with its head office and main hub located at Hong Kong International Airport, although the airline's registered office is on the 33rd floor of One Pacific Place...

and others. These model aircraft are then sold exclusively by the airlines onboard and are not included in the regular retail collection.

1949

The company Hergenröther Patente is founded in Bellingries by inventor and patent holder Wilhelm Hergenrother to produce accessories for model trains. The initials of the company's name make up the word Herpa.

1980s

From 1949 to 1987, Herpa

Herpa

had been focusing exclusively on its Cars & Trucks range. However, the first plastic samples of Boeing 747-200s in the 1/500 scale were produced for Lufthansa

Lufthansa

Deutsche Lufthansa AG is the flag carrier of Germany and the largest airline in Europe in terms of overall passengers carried. The name of the company is derived from Luft , and Hansa .The airline is the world's fourth-largest airline in terms of overall passengers carried, operating...

at an initiation ceremony for a Boeing 737-300 at Nuremberg Airport

Nuremberg Airport

Nuremberg Airport is the international airport of the Franconian metropolitan area of Nuremberg and the second-busiest airport in Bavaria. The airport is ranked 10th among German airports and 87th in Europe. It is also a hub for Air Berlin - Germany's second largest airline...

. Lufthansa

Lufthansa

then orders the production of the Lufthansa Model-Edition in the 1/200 scale exclusively for the airline.

In 1988, Herpa launched the Lufthansa Model-Edition with a highly detailed replica of the Boeing 737-300. Plans for historical models like the Junkers J-52 were also in development. With the advent of computer technology, in 1989 a partner company in Asia developed a new concept that would be able to create the same detail and precision available to the smaller 1/500 airplane models.

1990s

In 1990, the model airplanes sported authentic miniaturizations of the engines and rolling landing gear from the various manufacturers. By 1992, Herpa Wings is established. The first 1/500 plane miniatures are presented to the public at the Nuremberg Toy Fair, and several airlines place orders for planes in their respective liveries.

A licensing contract with aircraft manufacturer Boeing

Boeing

The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...

was signed in 1995. In 1996, Herpa Wings offered propeller

Propeller (aircraft)

Aircraft propellers or airscrews convert rotary motion from piston engines or turboprops to provide propulsive force. They may be fixed or variable pitch. Early aircraft propellers were carved by hand from solid or laminated wood with later propellers being constructed from metal...

driven planes for the first time in the 1/500 scale with the release of a ATR-72 model. Also, Herpa Wings produces for Condor

Condor

Condor is the name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.They are:* The Andean Condor which inhabits the Andean mountains....

Flugdienst GMBH the replica of their anniversary plane, the "Rizzi Bird", which is still one of the most difficult models in the Herpa Wings range. The first set of airport accessories are produced.

In 1997, issue 1 of the magazine for collectors of airplane models, WingsWorld, is released in June. A new range of airplane replicas in the 1/200 scale are released. In 1999, the Herpa Wings Club

Club

A club is an association of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A service club, for example, exists for voluntary or charitable activities; there are clubs devoted to hobbies and sports, social activities clubs, political and religious clubs, and so forth.- History...

and the first models of airport buildings in the 1/500 scale are produced. Herpa also celebrates its 50th anniversary in 1999.

2000s

In 2005, Herpa Wings introduces the MAGIC Collection featuring model aircraft in the scale 1:600, aiming to directly contend with direct competitor Schabak

Schabak

Schabak is a die-cast toy producer based in Nurnberg, Germany. The company is well known for its line of German cars and commercial airline models.-A Rebirth of Schuco?:...

. In September, a 1:1000 scale Airbus A380

Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by the European corporation Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS. It is the largest passenger airliner in the world. Due to its size, many airports had to modify and improve facilities to accommodate it...

model was also released. In 2006, the 1:1000 scale series of models were officially launched. The SCENIX range of airport accessories and dioramas were also introduced.

Today, Herpa Wings is one of the most respected and established miniature model companies and competes not only with Schabak

Schabak

Schabak is a die-cast toy producer based in Nurnberg, Germany. The company is well known for its line of German cars and commercial airline models.-A Rebirth of Schuco?:...

but with newcomers Dragon Wings, StarJets, Gemini Jets

Gemini Jets

thumbnail|right|GeminiJets 1:400 [[Virgin Atlantic]] [[A340-600]]GeminiJets is a die-cast model airplane manufacturer based in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States founded in 2000...

, and Jet-X, though Herpa still is probably the most widely available brand.

Hogan Wings

Hogan started as a separate brand formed in Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...

, but bought by Herpa as a cheap option. All Hogan 1:200 Models are snap-fit but detailed down to the landing gear.

Herpa Wings Club

The Herpa Wings Club was established in 1999 in conjunction with Herpa

Herpa

's 50th anniversary. Currently, members receive WingsWorld, a magazine for collectors of Herpa Wings. A free annual model in the 1:500 scale is also given, with options to purchase 4 exclusive models from the Club Edition. Members to the Club also enjoy discounts at the Herpa museum shop in Dietenhofen, Germany

Germany

. The annual Herpa Wings folders are given free to members as well.

External links

Collector forums

Herpa Wings Dealers List

http://www.herpacollector.co.uk (United Kingdom)
http://www.scalemodelstore.com (Netherlands)
http://www.aerospirit.com (France)
http://www.wafflecollectables.com (United States)
http://www.airlinemuseum.com (United States)

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