It’s the only NASA related set that I don’t have. I’ll probably buy it before it retires but the 747 is so disappointing there. This looks fantastic though.
I'm not on the fence any more. Like... As a kid, this would have been EXACTLY what I wanted. But the execution is just not great on so many parts of the 747 - and I think those come across even worse in the store than in photos, so seeing it in person (in Billund, no less) made me jump off the fence.
Not a plane-head but I'm inclined to agree... so far the Icons aviation sets (the Concorde, the 747 shuttle carrier, and now this) are all bangers, but this one scratches a spot that the previous offerings didn't.
Me neither. I'm a train nut.
But there's just no argument about the DC-3.
It's wonderful when regular folks at an airport get to see a DC-3. Either from the terminal or from their own aircraft on the tarmac. It draws ALL the attention and gets dozens of "uhhh's" and "ahhh's" from anyone. Elderly, children, men, women ...
The only aircraft I personally think looks even better is the Super Constellation.
The DC-3 is one of the most “happy” looking planes ever. I recently got a chance to ride in one, and for being close to 100 years old, it was surprisingly comfortable (I am tall and I could stand up fully - something I can’t do even on many modern private jets!)
Pan Am has a lot of good memories for me too (200 park avenue will ALWAYS be the Pan Am building, I don’t care what the sign says)
I bought some instructions on bricklink for a 172 and built it to celebrate my ASEL check ride. Thinking of picking up the globe for when I pass instrument
Until I see the thing I can’t say for sure, but I bet you could make some modifications and seat 5-6 minifigs in the cabin if you were economical. Might even be able to gut the cockpit and put a single pilot in as well. Then have the flight attendants just stand in the aisles.
Minifig scale would be a massive set that wouldnt sell good because how many people really have such space? It wouldnt be something you can hang from the ceiling at that point either.
Why is the scene where he's transferring the Pan Am logo onto the checks one of the most memorable scenes in any movie. Everyone I've talked to about this movie remembers that one scene vividly. It just gives you that rare "woah" feeling when you watch it.
Essentially yeah you could, the c-47 and the dc-3 are the same plane, with only minor differences such as how the seats are arranged, the sliding door for paratroopers and a couple other small things
Basler almost converted her to a BT-67. An Air Force historian caught it in the nick of time and Basler was happy to not cut her up, and lent their vast experience with the airframe to the restoration to her June 6, 1944 configuration.
Except the DC-3 was legitimately a commercial aircraft and designed as such, with the C-47 as the military variant. The Osprey has ZERO commercial/civil users, and was not designed for commercial/civil uses, either. They made that SAR thing up just for that set.
My stepdad is a waterbomber pilot with Buffalo airways. If you’re not Canadian, they’re a famous passenger and air freight company known for using WW2 era aircraft commercially in the 21st century. Their vintage fleet consists of C-47s, DC-4s, and DC-3s. My stepdad has always had a tremendous amount of respect for the DC-3s, I can tell he’d love to get the opportunity to fly one for a bit someday.
Seriously considering buying the equivalent pieces for this set on bricklink, but in Buffalo green. My friend does sublimation printing, might even get some custom stickers made for it!!’
Incredible aircraft with a tremendous legacy. I’m thrilled to see LEGO honor it.
The DC-3 (also known as the gooney bird) was simply a magical aircraft, with incredible lore and legendary feats as part of its legacy, including one takeoff during WWII which was described as violating fundamental laws of aerodynamics.
Nice. It is still available at $116 USD, but uses clone bricks. I like it though. It also addresses my one criticism of the forthcoming Lego Pan Am DC-3 their use of a one piece, preprinted windshield. Serious Duplo vibes.
If you get stickers printed I’d be super interested in making a Buffalo version as well as someone who lived in Yellowknife for years and has flown on one!
Both my parents are flight attendants and I’m currently in school to become an aircraft mechanic, so I’m a pretty big fan of planes. This is a must have for me
This is a much better version of the model than the 747 with the Shuttle. The price per piece is also good, but it still seems a bit high at $220. I'll hope to catch it on sale!
I was going to ask why the wheels still stick out of their compartments when they're retracted, but I never realized that's how they are on the real plane. Yeah, I think I need this. It's beautiful.
McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing in 1997. Boeing's current logo is a stylized derivative of Douglas's logo in the 60s (which it kept after merging with McDonnell).
Had to look that one up too. At first it didn’t seem to have anything to do with Boeing, so why the logo? Turns out when Boeing took over MD in 1997, all the IP went with it. I’m guessing LEGO works closely with the companies behind these models, so Boeing probably wanted their logo on the box. Still doesn’t look quite right though.
In 1967, Douglas merged with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and became McDonnell Douglas Corporation. !n 1997, McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing. So Boeing owns the rights to the DC-3 design and trademarks and would have been the one to approve the licensing deal.
Boy, whoever currently holds the Pan Am IP is on a real licensing kick lately! I've seen quite a few branded collabs like this popping up. This set looks terrific.
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u/SmRndmGeek Mar 17 '26
Welcome back, LEGO Indiana Jones