The latest LEGO ICONS set, 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, brings us the modified 747-100 and the prototype Space Shuttle Enterprise. The defining point of all LEGO Spacecraft and Airplanes is their swooshability. While this set is intended as a display model, my inner eight-year-old felt it should be taken out for a fly.
While I am still writing up my full review, I felt it important to share this with you now. You can see the results after the break.
Continue reading
Growing up in the 1970s, the excitement of ongoing space exploration despite the end of the Apollo Program continued, particularly in the form of the Pioneer and Voyager probes exploring the outer solar system, as well as the Viking Lander on Mars. But things really go exciting for 8 year old me when I saw there were plans afoot for the Americans to return to a manned space program. My first glimpse of the Space Shuttle was likely a prototype model featured in The Encyclopaedia of Nature and Science (1974, R. Taylor Editor, Bay Books).
Today, the LEGO Group officially reveal their upcoming 10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft – depicting the modified 747 along with the prototype shuttle ‘Enterprise’. The set has 2419 pieces and will retail for $AUD349.99 / €229.99 / £199.99 / $USD229.99. It is due for release for LEGO Insiders on May 15th, 2025, and to all on May 18th.
Thirty nine years and forty nine weeks ago, a little bit after tea time, we witnessed the launch of the first Space Shuttle, Columbia. The era of ‘shirt sleeve space flight’ and reusable orbiters had begun. Ten years and 10 days later, the Hubble Space Telescope was deployed from the space shuttle Discovery. Finally, on April 12 2011, thirty years after the launch of Columbia, the Shuttle Atlantis flew the final Mission.
The program caught the imagination of 12 year old me, culminating in many doodles, dreams, and the occaisional MOC. If only I could find the picture.
So, this month, we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the first Shuttle launch; the 30th anniversary of the Hubble Space Telescope deployment; and the 10th anniversary of the final flight of Atlantis.
And the LEGO Group have released a huge new version of the Space Shuttle Discovery – over 55 cm long, it comes with moving rudder and elevons; opening pod bay doors and carries the Hubble space telescope. With 2354 pieces, it is quite a step up on the 7470 from 2003.
And there have been dozens of versions of the shuttle from across the years, and you might also consider that the early LEGOLAND® Spacecraft in the late 70’swere also inspired by it: The Shuttle program was already in the public consciousness, with atmospheric tests occurring with the Shuttle Enterprise for 4 years before the first lauch of Columbia in 1981.
Here are a few examples that have appeared in town, Technic, and indeed the Creator Expert line. I have chosen to ignore the ‘Bat Space Shuttle’ from 2016.
Continue reading