Lego Concorde: high-flyer or crash-lander?

Item: LEGO Concorde
Rating: 3
Author: Ramon Schneider

Ramon Schneider

5.3.2024

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

The Lego Concorde aims to bring supersonic speed to your living room, minus the deafening noise. But does the set deliver or is it doomed to go down like a sack of potatoes?

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?

Lego’s model of the Concorde is so big I have trouble cramming it into one photo.
Source: Ramon Schneider

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.

Lego’s Concorde floats on a pedestal.
Source: Ramon Schneider

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.

Despite its minimalist design, the Concorde’s interior really comes into its own.
Source: Ramon Schneider

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.

The paint job of an airline logo is missing. The Concorde from Lego only has a generic print.
Source: Ramon Schneider

In a nutshell

A flight between admiration and compromises

Overall, the Lego Concorde is an ambitious set that impresses in some respects, but falls short of expectations in others. While it captures the spirit and aesthetics of the supersonic aeroplane, a closer look reveals its limitations when it comes to detail and functionality. It’s an impressive model for enthusiasts and collectors, but if you’re after a perfect miniature version of the Concorde, you’re likely to be disappointed by some aspects. Nevertheless, it’s earned its place in my collection as a tribute to an iconic piece of aviation history – bar a few reservations.

Pro

impressive size and proportions
recognisable characteristic features (delta wings, Olympus engines)
interactive elements (tiltable droop nose, mechanical landing gear)
printed bricks

Contra

limited detail
simplified interior
no authentic logos (Air France, British Airways)
functions more symbolic than realistic

LEGO

EUR199,99

LEGO Concorde

10318, LEGO Icons, LEGO Rare Sets

Header image: Ramon Schneider

77 people like this article

Ramon Schneider

Editor

Ramon.Schneider@digitecgalaxus.ch

I get paid to play with toys all day.

Product test

Our experts test products and their applications. Independently and neutrally.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

video
Product test
Is the Lego UCS Venator just an empty shell?
by Ramon Schneider
Product test
A piece of magic: the Hogwarts diorama by Lego
by Ramon Schneider
Product test
The Lego Game Boy is a Nintendo nerd’s dream
by Domagoj Belancic