Fasten your seat belts, it's the final instalment of our LEGO® Concorde review, to help you decide whether this sizeable model (measuring 105cm / 42 inches long) is worth buying and displaying in your home.
In this article we'll be exploring the set's build techniques and nice part usage, as well as the mysterious extra spare orange pieces, before concluding with a look at the impressive completed model and its dimensions.
Products in this article were gifted by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own. This article contains affiliate links, we may get a small commission if you purchase.
Stacking the plates, bricks and brackets that form the aft end of the wings isn't the most technically thrilling way to start the build, however, the section's considerable width is an exciting indicator of just how big the completed model will be.
Things get more spicy once we begin constructing the fuselage.
Throughout the build there are a number of clever little locks that keep the wings firmly attached to the main body. My favourite is this nifty bracket, Mixels ball and panel combo situated towards the rear of the plane.
1x1 round plates with bars, headlight bricks, and newly recoloured 1x3 rounded plates are all used effectively to keep the surface of the wings smooth above the rear landing gear. It's a partial success, as we'll see later on, but the techniques used are worth celebrating.
The construction of the forward landing gear housing is just as interesting. It alternates between black 1x2x2 rounded bricks with bars (77808), and 1x1 vertical clips - a fantastic technique for sturdy stud reversal.
A pair of perpendicular LEGO Technic connectors (29162) are cleverly positioned vertically to become the forward landing gear's pivot point. It's an inventive way to secure this vital sub-assembly in a small space.
Although they're mostly stacked plates and bricks, the engines are still satisfying to assemble. A fun detail here is the French flag embedded in the structure. There are a few more scattered throughout the build, often hidden until you flip the assembly over then: ta-da! Or perhaps ooh là là is more appropriate?
Another nifty technique is used for the angled cockpit roof. A red 1x1 round plate sets the angle of a 1x2 rounded brick with vertical bars (77808). Then, with a single clip, the assembly snaps into place.
Towards the end of the build, the nose and tail sections are added. Here we see why the new cone (3569) was developed with a predominately hollow underside as it must accommodate this protruding LEGO Technic assembly.
Extra orange pieces
The presence of a handful of mostly orange elements from early on in the build process is perplexing at first.
They're clearly not the usual spare parts, as they include some large 4x3x12 wedge plates, and may cause you to worry that you've missed some crucial steps. It becomes clear that they actually form temporary supports. They're used intermittently during the first half of the build to stop the wings from toppling over.
Smaller stands consisting of a few plates steady the fuselage later on. A quick image search suggests the real aircraft's construction used orange supports too, so the colour choice here is a nice attention to detail.
Having finished the build, I couldn't help but wonder what the spare parts from the temporary supports could be used for.
My dad must've thought the same because while I busied myself with photographing the LEGO Concorde itself, he set to work attempting to use every one of the leftover elements that isn't a standard spare.
The result of his efforts, after a couple of illegal connection suggestions from me, is this luminous bi-plane, complete with spinning propeller. He definitely wins the proud son award!
The size of the completed LEGO Concorde is 105cm long x 43cm wide (42 x 17 inches) and once mounted on the display stand, the whole model is 29.5cm (11.6 inches) tall. That's big – as in,
it-takes-up-an-entire-display-shelf big. But it's worth it because the
model is simply gorgeous. It's also surprisingly durable for something
so long and slender – three cheers for all those nifty structural
building techniques!
Appearance
Here I have deliberately mounted the model on the stand incorrectly to better show off the beautiful lines of its delta planform. The default (and more stable!) orientation is shown at the start of this article and below.
Just as striking is the rear of the model. There are several poseable control surfaces and all are achieved pretty seamlessly. The engine glow effect made from transparent orange dishes stacked on yellow 2x2 round tiles with centre studs is a nice touch as well.
At the base of the tail fin, note the 1x6 slope (4569) in dark blue that we discussed in part 1 of this LEGO Concorde review. It's puzzling that the same part wasn't used for the rear edge of the upper rudder, especially as it already exists in white.
While the model isn't devoid of visible studs, the 2x8 plates on the wings are a little unsightly. The decision to use them rather than tiles does make sense though, as they're marginally stronger and easier to assemble. For those seeking a cleaner look, the 2x8s can be swapped out for tiles without a hitch.
Display stand
I would've been content with a 'traditional' black stand with an 8x16 info plaque tile. I am, however, in love with the gorgeous reddish brown and light bluish grey one we got. It has such a classic feel about it, what with the printed dark blue and text in metallic gold. A perfect choice for this ahead-of-its-time aircraft.
Landing gear
The underside looks unusually good for a LEGO model with barely an anti-stud in sight. This is thanks to the sideways brick construction of the wings, which are mostly smooth on both sides. Tiles and curved slopes cover most of the remaining surfaces. Note the 1x2 slopes that cut around the landing gear cavity, and the lovely detailing on the engines.
As if observing the model wasn't satisfying enough, the synchronised landing gear LEGO Technic mechanism takes things to a new level of awesomeness. Of course it's missing landing gear doors, but their absence is entirely forgivable considering how complex the mechanism is already.
I'd recommend taking extra care with any step that involves LEGO Technic as I imagine it's tricky to rectify a potential mechanical error later in the build process. Assuming all goes well though, you're in for a real treat when you turn that tail.
Interior cabin
Much of the plane's innards are devoted to that impressive mechanism, but the slice of realistic interior we do get is delightful. 'Comma panel' (89679) seats are an inspired choice, but the highlight here are those D-SNOT (3386) toilets!
I doubt it's intentional, but it's neat the exposed red plates look like the traditional red outlining used on cutaway drawings.
Cockpit and droop snoot
Having been treated to some cabin space, the lack of a cockpit interior is a little disappointing. It's completely forgivable however, as much of this area is devoted to a well integrated hinge for the all important Droop Snoot!
Summary
Set 10318 Concorde is an astonishing LEGO model. The livery is a bit off compared to source material, and some spots require you to step backwards before they appear sleek rather than stepped. Considering what's actually possible in the medium however, the finished plane is pretty darn near perfect. Not to mention the stellar build experience, a well engineered mechanism and a parts-effective stand.
For something this large, the price feels reasonable too – a fact not often true of LEGO sets these days. Granted, the model is slender by nature so the size is more length and width than bulk. Nevertheless, the heft of the completed plane leaves no doubt the set is worth its weight in parts as well as looks.
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Building the engine modules and snapping them in to place was the most satisfying part of build for me. And excellent model who's only flaw might be it's so dang big I don't know where to put it!
Building the engine modules and snapping them in to place was the most satisfying part of build for me. And excellent model who's only flaw might be it's so dang big I don't know where to put it!
ReplyDeleteI've actually just ordered the product!
ReplyDeleteCan I ask how your father built the biplane as I’m struggling to see what parts were used where
ReplyDelete