"Franz Meersdonk, Günther Willers and their machines, 320 horsepower. They transport time-sensitive freight across the globe, you can count on them!"
These iconic words in the opening credits made the TV series "Auf Achse" with Manfred Krug and Rüdiger Kirschstein unforgettable. First aired in 1977, a total of 86 episodes were produced in 6 seasons by 1996. Over the course of the series, many different vehicles were featured.
In August 2009, the company Herpa Miniatures launched the nine-part model edition "Auf Achse" – a selection of the most famous trucks from the series. The execution of these 1:87 scale (H0) models can be considered a success, with each model featuring many detailed prints and parts, although they are not without compromises and do not always correspond 100% to their real-life counterparts.
With the release of the "Auf Achse" models, my interest in the vehicles and the TV series was reignited, and I began to dive deeper into the vehicles and their backstories. During my youth, I had built a few trucks myself. Unfortunately, the models I created back then were lost over the years – in retrospect, more than 45 years later, not much of a loss.
To recreate the "Auf Achse" trucks as authentically as possible, appropriate photos are indispensable – which can often lead to a certain "addictive tendency." A valuable source for this is the DVD edition of the complete series. Particularly helpful was the "Auf Achse" fan forum, which unfortunately has since been discontinued.
All Herpa models are kept in their original condition and stored in their original packaging to preserve their collector's value.