The aircraft also revolutionized Herpa, the Franconian model manufacturer. Few models of aircraft Herpa does not reproduce on a small scale. The model range has been continuously enriched with civil and military aircraft types, as well as accessories for airport dioramas, miniature worlds or model trains. In 1:500 scale alone, more than 3,500 model aircraft have been created, representing more than 100 different aircraft types and nearly 600 airlines, from Lufthansa, Ryanair, Eurowings, Air France to Emirates. The continuous improvement in the quality of aircraft models and the increasing level of detail also speak for themselves. First taken off in 1990 from a Boeing B-52, the Junkers Ju-52/3m, the three-engine and by far the most important version of the legendary Auntie Ju, made its maiden flight in 1932, so exactly 90 years ago. The Lufthansa Ju-52 is a classic and an undisputed favorite of the Herpa range, almost since the beginnings of the Wings series (ref. 019040). What is less known is that British European Airways operated ten Ju-52s between 1946 and 1948. The UK government created BEA in 1946, first for European flights and then, from 1947, for domestic flights. To meet this demand, BEA flew a motley fleet, which included exactly ten Ju-52s captured by defeated Germany. As "Junkers" sounds in English like "Junk", that is, "scrap metal", BEA quickly renamed the aircraft "Jupiter". They were used exclusively on the inner lines. Although they were very popular with crews, the lack of spare parts for BMW engines resulted in a quick end of service after just two years.
german