Lego Concorde: high-flyer or crash-lander?

The real Concorde, once the pinnacle of aviation, now sits in museums as a silent witness to a bygone era. The aircraft was a pioneer of supersonic flight, a symbol of technological progress and luxurious travel. So, does this 2000-brick Lego model do justice to the original, or is it merely a nostalgic attempt to recreate past glory days in plastic?

Detailed design

The size of the model is certainly impressive – with a length of 105 centimetres and a wingspan of 43 centimetres, it deserves to be properly showcased. Its proportions are spot on, and the overall design reflects the slender elegance of the original. Due to the limitations of Lego bricks, the attention to detail isn’t always there in certain places. However, the set still manages to lovingly reproduce characteristic features – these include the delta wings and the Olympus engines. It’s a successful compromise between recognisability and the building possibilities Lego offers.

Mechanical landing gear and tiltable nose

The interior, which becomes accessible by removing part of the fuselage, offers a charming, albeit simplified view of the aircraft’s rows of seats and miniature toilets. Just like the real Concorde, the nose is tiltable on the Lego model, and the landing gear can be extended and retracted. These are nice additions that bring the model to life, even if they’re more symbolic than realistic. The elements aim for playful interaction rather than detailed replication. In any case, they’re a welcome change.

Where’s Air France and British Airways?

Design and proportions are both spot on. There’s just one detail that bothers me: the paint job. Ditching the logos of British Airways or Air France in favour of a generic «Concorde» lettering makes sense for licensing reasons, but is disappointing for fans who appreciate authenticity. The absence of these iconic trademarks makes the model incomplete in a way. At least the bricks are printed and there’s not a single sticker in the set.