LEGO has launched a new set that pays homage to the legendary Concorde, a marvel of aeronautical engineering. This set not only pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved with LEGO bricks but also brings a wave of nostalgia and intriguing facts about supersonic travel.

Imagine needing to traverse the Atlantic from London to New York in just three hours. The only way to achieve this was by boarding the Concorde, as conventional flights took around 7 to 8 hours. However, what many may not realize is that for a significant period, this remarkable supersonic aircraft was prohibited from landing at U.S. airports due to noise concerns and a touch of American rivalry. The Concorde represented not just speed but also a competitive achievement in the aerospace race among Europe, Russia, and the United States during the 1960s.

Before diving into the specifics of the LEGO set, it’s essential to appreciate its historical significance. The challenge of replicating this aeronautical icon in LEGO form is comparable to the original challenge of engineering the Concorde itself during its heyday.

Achieving supersonic flight was a goal many pursued, yet skepticism prevailed. While the technology was familiar to military aviation, adapting it for a commercial aircraft accommodating nearly 100 passengers in comfort posed immense challenges. The assumption that powerful engines were the main requirement quickly proved naive; numerous complexities awaited engineers and designers.

A notable example of this naive approach to supersonic travel is the Tupolev Tu-144, which aimed to simply scale up a fighter jet. Unfortunately, this design faltered, struggling to exceed Mach 2 speeds without relying heavily on afterburners, making it both inefficient and costly, with a limited passenger capacity of 55. Nonetheless, the Tu-144 did achieve its first flight four months before the Concorde in June 1969.

The competition between the Tu-144 and Concorde illustrates a common tech adage: being first does not guarantee success. The Tu-144 faced severe reliability issues, culminating in a crash at the 1973 Paris Air Show. Its operational lifespan was a mere seven months, with the remaining aircraft relegated to cargo transport by 1983.

Conversely, the Concorde, despite its high operational costs, proved to be a more viable endeavor. Out of 20 units built, 14 were used commercially, comfortably seating 92 to 128 passengers—almost triple the Tu-144's capacity. The Rolls-Royce/Snecma Olympus 593 turbojets, which operated without afterburners, contributed significantly to this achievement by reducing fuel consumption.

Whereas the Tu-144's tenure lasted only seven months, the Concorde graced the skies for an impressive 27 years. Many mistakenly believe its operational period was brief, yet its legacy, marred by only one fatal incident, tells a different story.

The tragic accident on July 25, 2000, led to the Concorde's retirement, but it should not overshadow its historical safety record. The crash was indirectly caused by debris from another aircraft, which punctured a tire and ignited a catastrophic fire. In terms of safety, the Concorde's record was commendable when compared to other aircraft models, which experienced multiple accidents over the years.

By 2003, however, the economic landscape of air travel had shifted. As low-cost carriers became dominant, the Concorde's high operating costs rendered it impractical, despite its storied past.

Before examining the LEGO set, here are some lesser-known facts about the Concorde, some of which you’ll find in the detailed 548-step instruction manual: - It was the last commercial aircraft to require a flight engineer. - The airframe had a slight curve, akin to a banana. - Nearly 200,000 individuals contributed to its design and development. - It was the first airliner to utilize analogue fly-by-wire controls. - The U.S. entry, the Boeing 2707, was never built. - The Concorde contained 30.6 km (19 miles) of wiring. - Custom white paint was needed to manage heat from supersonic flight. - Its unique silhouette was a solution to aerodynamic challenges. - Although the experience was luxurious, the windows were relatively small. - The landing gear was designed to accommodate the aircraft's unique shape. - The airframe would expand up to 25 cm (10 in.) due to heat during cruising. - Passengers could witness the same sunset twice while in flight. - A total of 134 pilots and 57 flight engineers were trained for its operation. - The rear trim tank was essential for maintaining balance during flight. - The name "Concorde" reflects a partnership between Britain and France, symbolizing harmony.