Toy fans! Today, we're going to build an aerial transport milestone from aerospace history with LEGO bricks. Introducing the "10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft" from The LEGO Group's LEGO Icons series!
In the 1970s and 80s, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and The Boeing Company collaborated on an astonishing "aerial transport" program. They modified a commercial Boeing 747, transforming it into a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) capable of carrying NASA's Space Shuttle through the sky. This aerial transport plan was born because ground transportation was both difficult and time-consuming.
After NASA acquired and completed the first Boeing 747 SCA, it played a crucial role in everything from the initial vortex tests to the 1977 Approach and Landing Tests with the Space Shuttle Enterprise. Today, we get to build and play with the LEGO versions of the Space Shuttle Enterprise and the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft!
▼ The front of the box, with its black, blue, and purple gradient background, is quite beautiful. Front and center are this set's stars: the Enterprise and the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, showcasing the classic scene of the aircraft carrying the shuttle on its back.
▼ The back displays the individual appearances, details, and play features of the two aerial vehicles.
▼ Once assembled and placed on the display stand, it stands approximately 27 cm tall with a total length of 63 cm.
▼ Let's open it up! This 2,417-piece set is divided into 16 numbered bags.
▼ The contents also include two instruction manuals and a sticker sheet.
▼ The beginning of the instruction manual introduces the aerial transport program of the 70s and highlights the noteworthy play features of this set. You can also learn some interesting trivia during the building process, such as the fact that the Enterprise was originally going to be named the Constitution.
▼ Let's start building!
▼ Finished!
Now, let's take a look at the "10360 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft" from all angles! With a length of 63 cm, its presence is truly impressive.
▼ Next, let's separate the Space Shuttle and its carrier to appreciate them individually! First up is NASA's Space Shuttle Enterprise. Its sleek lines are cleverly captured, and the brickwork on the nose is fascinating. It's worth noting that in 2011, the Space Shuttle Enterprise became part of the collection at The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.
▼ The original lettering on the Space Shuttle Enterprise has been faithfully recreated, including the NASA, United States, and Enterprise wordmarks, as well as the American flag. However, these are all presented as stickers.
▼ To replicate the appearance of the Enterprise flying with the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, the wheels and main engines can be removed and stored inside.
▼ When the Enterprise was mounted on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, a conical cover called a tail cone was placed over the jet engines to reduce drag and improve aerodynamic efficiency. This feature is also recreated in this LEGO model, albeit as a swappable part assembly.
▼ The assembly process for the shuttle involves first completing the base plate and then gradually building up the full fuselage. Due to its hollow design, the building experience for the Enterprise is quite different from that of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.
▼ Shorter curved brick pieces are used here.
Next, let's dive into the internal structure of the Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft! To achieve one of its biggest selling points—the 18-wheel landing gear mechanism—the internal building process of the SCA is much more interesting than I anticipated! For instance, you'll soon see why a special part is used right here in the middle!
▼ The construction process for the aircraft basically involves building the gear linkage unit for the 18-wheel landing gear, and then attaching the fuselage shell parts, wings, and tail one by one. The process of seeing the gear linkage assembly come together, connecting more and more steering mechanisms, is incredibly satisfying.
▼ An interesting point this time is that while all the decorations on the Space Shuttle Enterprise are stickers, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft features an abundance of printed pieces!
▼ The angled lines of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft are recreated here with great attention to detail.
▼ This is the purpose of the special part used in the center of the interior, as mentioned earlier. It uses clip pieces to perfectly fill the 45-degree gap in the fuselage—absolutely brilliant!
▼ The full view of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, modified from a Boeing 747.
▼ Besides the construction of the wings themselves, the way they connect to the fuselage is also very interesting.
▼ The three-clip mounting system for the Space Shuttle on top of the fuselage.
▼ The vertical stabilizers specially added to the ends of the horizontal stabilizer.
▼ The landing gear can be slowly extended or retracted by turning the gear.
▼ The black stand provides information for both aerial vehicles at once—the dual nameplate configuration is really cool!
LEGO 10360 Icons "Shuttle Carrier Aircraft" Conclusion:
During my childhood, I would almost always get a beautifully detailed plastic airplane model whenever I traveled abroad. I wonder if any of you fellow toy fans share this memory? Placing the plane on its stand, displaying it in a climbing flight pose, would bring back the joy of travel like an engine igniting. When I placed this LEGO version of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft on its stand, I instantly felt that same childhood excitement, and this time, it came with a beautiful Space Shuttle.
This set boasts a stunning appearance, an impressive size, and multiple play features, including the 18-wheel landing gear. It's sure to captivate any aviation enthusiast! Even if you don't typically study aerospace history, the spectacular sight of the "Boeing 747 SCA carrying the Space Shuttle Enterprise" is bound to spark an interest in that era. And I have to say it one last time, the 18-wheel landing gear is just so much fun to play with, and the assembly process is incredibly satisfying.
LEGO 10360 Icons "Shuttle Carrier Aircraft"
Recommended Price: NT$8,299, Piece Count: 2,417, Available Now
