In big news for aviation fans, the LEGO® Group just announced the latest addition to the Icons line-up featuring a piece of airplane history. The LEGO® Concorde is coming soon to a store near you! The set takes inspiration from the iconic, supersonic airplane flown by British Airways and Air France between 1969 and 2003. The original design revolutionized air travel back in its day with a top speed of Mach 2.04 (2.04 times the speed of sound, or 2170 km/h). Only 20 of the aircraft were ever built, and 18 remain on display around the world.
LEGO® Concorde Specs
- NAME: Concorde
- SET #: 10318
- THEME: Icons
- COST: $259.99 CAD
- BRICK COUNT: 2083
- MINIFIGURES: None
- VIP EARLY ACCESS: September 4, 2023
- GENERAL RELEASE DATE: September 7, 2023
- COST/BRICK: $0.12 (Good value.)
The LEGO® Concorde features the original airplane’s characteristic, functioning droop nose. The droop nose served to improve the pilot’s field of vision during taxi, takeoff, and landing. In order to achieve supersonic speeds, the aircraft needed a longer, more aerodynamic nose. However, pilots could not see well around it. Consequently, engineers designed the nose to droop, or lower during low speed operations. In addition to the moving droop nose, the LEGO® model also features functioning landing gear, moving elevons and rudders, a retractable tail bumper wheel, and interior access. Additionally, the model measures over a meter long, 43 cm wide, and 15 cm high.
Despite the infamous Air France crash of 2000 that killed 100 passengers, 9 crew, and 4 people on the ground, the Concorde was actually one of the safest airplanes in history. Ultimately, British Airways and Air France retired the airplanes because the analog controls had become obsolete and the manufacturer was no longer producing replacement parts. Additionally, slower aircraft offered more interior space, which increased profitability. But now you’ll be able to own your own buildable model! Will you pick up the LEGO® Concorde? Let me know in the comments or reach out on social media. For more sets in the fall 2023 lineup, click here.
Until next time,
-Tom
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