Plane insane? Lego fan spends eight months and £3,500 building replica of world's biggest passenger jet




It may have been designed to help young children get to grips with how the world of construction works but it seems that Lego can still bring out the big kid in anyone, especially when it comes to scale models of passenger aircraft.

Lego enthusiast Ryan McNaught has taken his passion for building in plastic a step further than most by constructing a painstakingly accurate replica of a Qantas A380 plane from scratch.

Model magic: Ryan McNaught spent eight months creating his Lego replica of a Quantas A380, currently the biggest passenger plane in the world

The replica model of the 'Superjumbo' - in real-life, a double-deck, four-engine airliner that is currently the world's largest passenger plane - uses mainly white, grey and red bricks and took Australian McNaught eight months to build. It comprises 35,000 pieces, measures over 7ft in length and is 6ft wide.



The model moves too with automated touch-screen controls operating functions that include front landing gear, two rear landing gear doors and airbrakes on the wing. Surrounding the aircraft there are baggage carts, fuel tankers and airport employees wearing the obligatory bright attire.

Life in minature: A closer look at the 35,000-piece model reveals cabin crew, snoozing flyers and even a Lego version of Samuel L Jackson's character from the hit film Snakes on a Plane (bottom left). Creator Ryan McNaught (pictured right) will showcase his replica Qantas A380 model to other fans at a Lego convention in Chicago later this year.

The construction shows only of half the plane's exterior, which enabled McNaught to recreate scenes from life onboard an airliner.



There is a full crew and passengers can be seen stretching their legs in the aisles, reclining in their seats or nipping to the toilet. And like all good flights, there are one or two celebrities on board - presumably in first class.



A global love affair with Lego



The brightly-coloured plastic building bricks may have millions of fans around the world but Lego had humble beginnings. Ole Kirk Christiansen, a carpenter from Billund, Denmark came up with the idea for Lego in his workshop. The world Lego is a combination of two Danish words 'leg' and 'godt', literally meaning play well.

Models of Indiana Jones and Star Wars' Yoda can be spied and there's even a scene from cult Hollywood film Snakes on a Plane. A diminutive version of Samuel L. Jackson's character from the surprise hit movie is shown battling red and green serpents in the bowels of the plane.



McNaught, a father-of-two from Melbourne said of his project: "No one has ever built an Airbus like this. When I first unveiled it people were climbing over each other to have a look.

"I used to work for an airline so had a bit of knowledge about planes, but it is harder to get information these days because of the world terrorism threat.

"Most of the designs came off the internet and I had to adapt the scale of the Airbus because your average Lego man is quite fat for his height."

It is estimated that the semi-professional Lego-constructor, who works in IT when he's not handling the mini building bricks, estimates that he's spent around £3,500 bringing the plane to life.

The model, which was built in the family garage, is set to be shipped to Chicago for the Brickworld Lego event later this year - and Mr McNaught is hoping it will arrive intact.

