Herpa, or Herpa Miniaturmodelle GmbH, is a German manufacturer of die-cast aircraft under Herpa Wings and plastic vehicles under Herpa Cars & Trucks. Aircraft are mainly 1:500, with 1:400, 1:200 and even 1:1000 models. Cars and trucks are mainly 1:87, with 1:120 and 1:160 also available.
Herpa publishes Der Maßstab for car and truck collectors and WingsWorld for aircraft collectors.
In 1949 inventor and collector Wilhelm Hergenröther founded Hergenröther und Patente in Beilngries to make model-railway accessories. The shortened company name became Herpa.
Its first 1:87 cars were presented at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in 1978. The range expanded thereafter, with each new model reaching the market quickly after a rapid assembly process requiring no glue.
The first truck appeared in 1980. In 1981 Herpa impressed enthusiasts with sporting-truck models that even reproduced the engine structure accurately. Industrial companies began using its models as promotional items, crediting the manufacturer. The first issue of Der Maßstab appeared in 1982. In 1986 Herpa introduced high-tech 1:87 models, starting with a 22-part Ferrari Testarossa featuring an opening bonnet, a twelve-cylinder engine and separately mounted wheels.