Overview
This project is a joint project between saabfan and gabriele.zannotti depicting the iconic de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver. This aircraft was designed and manufactured be de Havilland Canada from 1947 to 1967 and has become a popular and iconic plane used both in the bush and by many different militaries across the world due to its ability to perform short takeoffs and landings (STOLs) as well as the option to put the plane on wheels, floats or skies. For more information, you can visit this project on LEGO Ideas by clicking here.
Appeals of this Project
First of all, from a presentation standpoint, this project is presented beautifully. I appreciate that the computer generated model has been rendered, and rendered with great detail, even to the point of including the reflection of the DHC-2 Beaver in the water. In addition to the superb rendering job, the model is stunning by itself. The color combination, with the dark blue, yellow and white complement teach other really well, and highlight the many details included in this build, providing an overall aesthetically pleasing and appealing project.
There are a number of intricate details in this project that do not meet the eye at first glance. Starting on shore, there is a fir tree that uses the SNOT technique to add some typical scenery out in the bush, as well as a creatively designed aviation wind sock. The use of the "brick with headlight" piece (4070) really gives the dock a realistic appearance due to the slight spacing between the boards, and the rope at the end gives it a nice touch and offers increased playability such that the plane can be tied to the dock to prevent it from floating away. The two minifigures and dog are just the right number of characters to include in a build of this size, and they have plenty of accessories, including a first aid kit, mail and a fuel can that offer additional playability.
The plane itself includes details such as the single prop engine, ladder for entering and exiting the plane and radio antennas on the fuselage. However, two of the most intricate details, and the two details that offer the greatest play value, are not easily apparent. These details are the storage space in the fuselage for the valuable cargo, and my favorite, the landing gear that folds down to allow the same plane to land on water or on land (yes, there are actual De Havilland DHC-2 Beavers that are equipped with this type of landing gear. Click here to see pictures). First of all, this is an ingenious idea as it relates to the real DHC-2 Beaver, and I am glad to see the floats with landing gear included in this LEGO Ideas project also. Another detail that I appreciate seeing is the inclusion of rudders at the back of the floats for steering in the water.
First of all, from a presentation standpoint, this project is presented beautifully. I appreciate that the computer generated model has been rendered, and rendered with great detail, even to the point of including the reflection of the DHC-2 Beaver in the water. In addition to the superb rendering job, the model is stunning by itself. The color combination, with the dark blue, yellow and white complement teach other really well, and highlight the many details included in this build, providing an overall aesthetically pleasing and appealing project.
There are a number of intricate details in this project that do not meet the eye at first glance. Starting on shore, there is a fir tree that uses the SNOT technique to add some typical scenery out in the bush, as well as a creatively designed aviation wind sock. The use of the "brick with headlight" piece (4070) really gives the dock a realistic appearance due to the slight spacing between the boards, and the rope at the end gives it a nice touch and offers increased playability such that the plane can be tied to the dock to prevent it from floating away. The two minifigures and dog are just the right number of characters to include in a build of this size, and they have plenty of accessories, including a first aid kit, mail and a fuel can that offer additional playability.
The plane itself includes details such as the single prop engine, ladder for entering and exiting the plane and radio antennas on the fuselage. However, two of the most intricate details, and the two details that offer the greatest play value, are not easily apparent. These details are the storage space in the fuselage for the valuable cargo, and my favorite, the landing gear that folds down to allow the same plane to land on water or on land (yes, there are actual De Havilland DHC-2 Beavers that are equipped with this type of landing gear. Click here to see pictures). First of all, this is an ingenious idea as it relates to the real DHC-2 Beaver, and I am glad to see the floats with landing gear included in this LEGO Ideas project also. Another detail that I appreciate seeing is the inclusion of rudders at the back of the floats for steering in the water.Areas for Improvement
I have searched and searched this project to see if there is anything I would improve upon, and can find nothing. In fact, each time I examine the project, I become more and more convinced that it is fantastic just the way it is, and would make a fantastic set both for AFOLs and for kids.
Conclusion
Not only is this a beautiful LEGO build, but this is a very playable model as well. There are numerous appeals from both an aesthetics perspective and from a playability standpoint, and I am convinced this would make a wonderful set if it reaches 10,000 supporters and passes the Official LEGO Ideas Review Process. To see more pictures and offer your support to help this become a set, you can visit the project on LEGO Ideas here. Not sure how LEGO Ideas works? Click here to find out more.
Photos used and review completed with the permission of saabfan and gabriele.zannotti.
Super set! Just seeing this post now in 2018. Any chance of seeing directions?
ReplyDeleteJust saw the Lego Ideas post about it--any chance you would re-submit it? I am a pilot and would be happy to share it with some pilot groups to get those 5,000 votes!
ReplyDelete