The stand of Herpa, a German manufacturer of miniature aircraft (Hall 5/D11) is the closest thing to paradise for the collector of scale models.
The company, which started life more than 35 years ago as a manufacturer of scale cars, turned its eyes and expertise on the aviation world in 1992 and hasn't looked back.
It now supplies intricately detailed replicas not only to thousands of private collectors world-wide but also supplies products to the likes of Lufthansa and Olympic who sell them inflight.
This year is the first time the company has displayed at Paris, and a range of new models is on show.
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Marketing manager Gabriela Wagner explains their authenticity. "We work very closely with all the airlines whose aircraft and logos we copy. We get them to check that every detail is correct and when a change in livery occurs they send us the images so we can keep our own 'fleet' up to date."
Herpa Wings, the company's aircraft branding, makes models to a range of scales, the most extensive of which is 1/500. These are die-cast models and are supported by a whole range of ancillary ground equipment and, just launched this month, similarly scaled passengers, cars and cargo carriers.
Collectors who spot something they need can't, however, make purchases but Herpa will supply a list of accredited dealers around the world.
Source: Flight Daily News
