The Hachette Collection offers us a magnificent reproduction of the Berliet GAK 5R Relay Truck ORTF, an iconic witness of the golden age of French television. This 1/43 scale miniature accurately captures one of the most recognizable vehicles from the 1960s-70s, a symbol of the audiovisual revolution in France.
More than just a model, this piece represents a true piece of French television history, perfectly suited for collectors passionate about utility vehicles and French heritage items.
Miniature Features
- Model: GAK 5R Relay Truck
- Brand: Berliet
- Year: 1960-1970
- Scale: 1/43
- Manufacturer: Hachette
- Protective case included: Yes
The Berliet GAK 5R: A Giant in the Service of Image
The Berliet GAK 5R was developed in the 1960s to meet the specific needs of broadcasting organizations. This robust and versatile truck was specially designed to transport the heavy equipment required for television broadcasts: cameras, lighting, control equipment, and transmission systems.
With a reinforced chassis and a spacious cabin, the GAK 5R offered exemplary reliability on all terrains. Its configuration allowed for the installation of sophisticated equipment while maintaining excellent maneuverability, essential for accessing the most challenging filming locations.
These vehicles made significant contributions to the development of French television, enabling unprecedented event coverage and bringing viewers closer to national and international news.
Berliet: The Industrial Excellence of Lyon
Founded in 1899 by Marius Berliet, the Lyon-based company quickly established itself as one of France's leaders in road transport. During the 1960s, the period of GAK 5R production, Berliet was at its peak, heavily equipping French companies and public administrations.
The company particularly excelled in the design of specialized utility vehicles, meeting the specific needs of each sector. This technical expertise allowed Berliet to develop lasting partnerships with ORTF, supplying trucks perfectly suited to the constraints of the audiovisual sector.
The Berliet philosophy prioritized robustness and adaptability, values that are fully embodied in the GAK 5R, designed to withstand the intensive demands of the field while protecting the sensitive equipment it transported.
ORTF: When Television Conquered France
The ORTF relay trucks embody a revolutionary era in French television. In the 1960s, the Office of French Broadcasting-Television radically transformed the national media landscape, moving from studio television to field, mobile, and reactive television.
These Berliet GAK 5R vehicles traveled all over France, enabling the first live broadcasts from every corner of the country. They accompanied major sporting events, official ceremonies, and even news stories that captivated public opinion. Their presence at a location signaled that a nationally significant event was taking place.
A delightful anecdote recounts that in May 1968, these trucks were among the few vehicles allowed to move freely in Paris, their information mission being considered essential. They thus became privileged witnesses of this historic period, filming the demonstrations that transformed French society from their mobile positions.
Even today, the mention of these blue ORTF trucks evokes nostalgia for a time when television brought French families together around unifying programs, broadcast thanks to these cutting-edge technological vehicles.
Complete Your Miniature Collection
This reproduction of the Berliet GAK 5R fits perfectly within the world of advertising vehicles and public services. It ideally complements collections dedicated to vintage French cars and specialized heavy trucks.
Collectors passionate about French history will especially appreciate this piece, as it harmoniously dialogues with other iconic models from the 1960s and 1970s. This Hachette miniature will delight both Berliet automobile enthusiasts and nostalgics of the French television era, forming a unique bridge between automotive passion and cultural heritage.
The reproduction quality of this Hachette collection makes it a preferred choice for discerning collectors, keen on preserving the memory of these vehicles that shaped the industrial and media history of France.
