image courtesy of Gizmodo
You know that even in Times Square happening today, right now as I type this? The big reveal is a life-sized LEGO Star Wars X-wing model. Naturally, Gizmodo‘s got the scoop with the pic above. The below press release was also transmitted over the interwebs. We have a field reporter onsite who will be taking pictures and writing up his experience of the event which we will publish later today, so stay tuned.
If you want to check out a video of how the model went from concept to reality, Popular Science has that as well as a bunch more photos.
After the unveiling today, the model will find its way over to LEGOLAND California where it will be on permanent display. The arrival date for the X-wing will be June 13th, right in time for Star Wars Days happening on Father’s Day weekend June 15-16.
The LEGO Group Unveils World’s Largest LEGO® Model To Delight LEGO Star Wars(TM) Fans Across The Galaxy
-More than five million LEGO bricks used to create life-sized X-Wing starfighter in celebration of new LEGO Star Wars animated TV special “The Yoda(TM) Chronicles” premiering on Cartoon Network-
NEW YORK, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — The LEGO Group today unveiled the world’s largest LEGO model, a 1:1 replica of the LEGO® Star Wars(TM) X-Wing starfighter, in New York’s Times Square. To celebrate the upcoming premiere of The Yoda Chronicles on Cartoon Network on Wednesday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. (ET, PT), the massive replica took 32 master builders, five million LEGO bricks and over 17,000 hours to complete. The model weighs nearly 46,000 pounds, stands 11 feet tall and 43 feet long, with a wingspan of 44 feet. The Model will “take off” for a summer landing at LEGOLAND® California Resort where it will be installed through the remainder of the year.
“Just as kids love to test and hone their LEGO building skills and imaginative storytelling, our LEGO Master Builders are always testing their creative skills to top their last larger-than-life sized creations,” said Michael McNally, Brand Relations Director for LEGO Systems. “The size and structural complexity of a freestanding model 42 times the size of one our retail sets was a challenge they could not resist.”
LEGO Star Wars is the original and most successful licensed product collection in The LEGO Group’s history and remains among the best-selling global toy lines. The theme’s evergreen strength comes from its appeal across generations to fans of all ages and a steady introduction of digital content such as The Yoda Chronicles to compliment the building experience.
“Much the same way that fans can build the Star Wars universe with our LEGO sets, we are fortunate to work with Lucasfilm to build new stories, characters and vehicles through one-of-a-kind content such as the new ‘Yoda Chronicles’ miniseries launching on Cartoon Network,” said Nicholas Hort, LEGO Star Wars brand manager.
LEGO Star Wars X-Wing Starfighter Model Fun Facts
— Contains 5,335,200 LEGO bricks
— Weighs 45,980 pounds
— Height: 11 feet / 3.35 meters
— Length: 43 feet / 13.1 meters
— Wingspan: 44 feet / 13.44 meters
— 32 builders spent 17,336 hours to construct – about 4 months
— Built in the LEGO Model Shop in Kladno, Czech Republic
— Is a one-to-one replica of LEGO Star Wars set #9493; The model is 42x
the size of the retail building set
— The model was heavily engineered to withstand all the transportation,
setup/break down and to ensure it was safe for Times Square given the
subway system below and California’s seismic requirements for the
LEGOLAND California Resort installation.
How to Celebrate From a “Galaxy Far, Far Away” with Cool Content and LEGO Bricks“The Yoda Chronicles”
The Yoda Chronicles isan exciting, funny and action-packed new LEGO Star Wars story told in three animated TV specials. “The Phantom Clone” will premiere on Wednesday, May 29 at 8:00 p.m. (ET, PT) on Cartoon Network with specials two and three airing later this year. In the first of three specials, a brand new character, Jek 14 will enter the Star Wars universe. Created by the LEGO Group, Jek 14 is a clone who has been ‘enhanced’ by the Force.
LEGO Star Wars Red Five X-Wing Starfighter(TM)
The most detailed and realistic version of the construction set, the LEGO Star Wars Red Five X-Wing Starfighter, is now available as the ultimate collectible. This exclusive model that contains over 1,500 LEGO bricks comes with a special display stand and data sheet label, is available at LEGO® brand retail stores and shop.LEGO.com for $199.99 USD.For more information, visit LEGO.com/StarWars
About The LEGO Group
LEGO Systems Inc. (LSI) is the Americas division of The LEGO Group, a privately-held firm based in Billund, Denmark that is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction toys. The company is committed to the development of children’s creative and imaginative abilities through high-quality, creatively educational play materials, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: “Only the best is good enough.” For more information, visit www.LEGO.comLEGO, its logo and the Minifigure are trademarks of The LEGO Group. ©2013 The LEGO Group.
STAR WARS, THE CLONE WARS and related character names are trademarks and/or copyrights, in the United States and other countries, of Lucasfilm Ltd. and/or its affiliates.
©2013. TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.
SOURCE The LEGO Group
The LEGO Group
Web Site: http://www.LEGO.com
