Every LEGO collector has a theme that they favor and it is often based on personal hobbies and interests. Some love to collect train sets, some like cars and others are really into planes. LEGO planes vary in style and function. There are the fun, simple sets that focus on stories and locations and then there are the challenging building projects with moving parts.
LEGO City is a thriving metropolis with a growing population and it is important that the city has a large, functional airport. The airport is the ideal hub for all passengers looking to jet off to fantastic new destinations, for cargo planes bringing in deliveries and for all the other service planes that help the city function. A diverse fleet and a strong base means lots of creative play. The following sets are a range of airport kits and interesting LEGO jets and planes for aviation fans.
8 of the Best LEGO Planes, Jets and Airport Settings for your Collection
LEGO City 60022 Cargo Terminal Toy Building Set
The best place to start for any aviation fan and LEGO collector is with a good airport set-up. The LEGO City series has a number of building sets that provide the ideal base for airport adventures. The LEGO City 60022 Cargo Terminal Toy Building Set has been discontinued by LEGO in the wake of more recent options, but it is still worth finding for the airport-themed accessories and the model of the cargo plane.
Players can build the plane, the aircraft control tower and a selection of vehicles to help the pilot and ground staff unload the cargo. There is a forklift for larger items and a conveyor belt for the smaller ones. The attractive green and white plane also has opening doors and an entry point at the tail. These features and mini-figures are great as their own set, but they can also be used with other planes in the series.
LEGO City Airport Passenger Terminal 60104 Set
The LEGO City Airport range is an important sub-theme of the City collection because it provides a whole new industry, a new type of vehicle and add some new stories. Some of the planes and buildings are good fun, like the Air Show, while others add a sense of realism for more interactive play. The LEGO City Airport Passenger Terminal 60104 Set is an example of the latter. The plane is a functional passenger jet with an interior, cargo hold and refueling inlet and there is just as much realistic detail in the terminal building. Here passengers have to pass through a security scanner and wait for their luggage beside a moving conveyor belt. The overall look of the building, with the revolving door, glass front and added control tower, means it is also a fun, attractive build.
The realism of the passenger terminal set is enhanced through the use of additional vehicles and minifigures. In addition to the two passengers and the plane, there is a pilot and three members of the airport staff. The staff are kept busy sorting out the fuel, loading the luggage onto the luggage trolley and dealing with the stair car. It is a busy set with plenty to keep players entertained as they act out important trips.
LEGO City Airport 60102 Airport VIP Service Building Set
An air traffic control tower is a great start for a functional, exciting airport set-up, but LEGO Planes collectors will be in need of a little more for their diverse airport. There are two additional airport sets in the LEGO City range that have been recently added. The LEGO City Airport 60102 Airport VIP Service Building set offers a different approach to the cargo plane with a private passenger service.
This expensive jet is bringing a business women into LEGO City for an important meeting. There is a limousine and driver waiting to great her on the tarmac and a service car and worker ready to refuel the jet for the next client. The jet has an accessible interior, where the women can enjoy her champagne breakfast, work on her laptop and make important calls. There is also a walkie-talkie so that the service worker can communicate with the pilot.
LEGO City Airport 60103 Airport Air Show Building Set
The other addition to the LEGO City Airport for 2016 is the aircraft hanger. This simple structure is crucial for any airport developer as it provides a shelter and refueling space for any visiting planes and expands the operations of the business. This hanger measures in at 5x7x9 inches and is ideal for many types of visiting plane.
In this LEGO City Airport 60103 Airport Air Show Building set, the hanger is the temporary home for three visiting planes: two red jets and an old-fashioned bi-plane with a turning propeller. Each plane has their accompanying pilots and there is also a wingwalker for the biplane. This set up, along with the additional service personal and accessories mean that it is easy to put on a great show for LEGO City residents. Have the staff give the planes a tune up, clear the runway and let them watch the show with a mug of tea.
LEGO CITY Ambulance Plane 60116 Set
With the airport ready to receive new planes, you need a few building sets of some interesting aircraft. The LEGO CITY Ambulance Plane 60116 set is another model from the LEGO City theme. This plane is property of the health department, but it needs a safe home at the airport when it is not out on duty. This cute little plane has two rotating propellers at the front, and a hatch at the back.
The pilot needs to use his skill to fly the plane into the city and find a safe place to land near the accident. It is then up to the doctor on board to open up the hatch, retrieve the stretcher and medical supplies and attend to the patient. It is a simple set-up that works in many situations. In this case, the team are treating a motorcyclist that has had a nasty fall. The motorcycle is also included.
LEGO Creator Propeller Plane 31047 Set
The LEGO Creator 3 in 1 series is popular with younger players that want to build a simple, fun vehicle and then remodel it into something new. The first example of these models in this list is the LEGO Creator Propeller Plane 31047 set. This kit makes great use of simple red, black and white bricks and rotor elements to create three different models. The great thing about this set is that all three models follow the aviation theme.
The main build is the propeller plane with its large cone nose, opening cockpit and retractable wheels. It can also turn into a helicopter by reassembling the parts and creating a larger rotating blade for the top. Finally, there is the more unusual addition of the hydroplane. This set is great for all sorts of adventures and the planes can be manned by any pilot from the other sets.
LEGO Creator 31039 Blue Power Jet Building Set
The second of these LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets is the LEGO Creator 31039 Blue Power Jet Building set. This trio of vehicles doesn’t follow the aviation theme quite as strongly as the red propeller plane set – as the final option is a hovercraft – but it there is greater diversity between the models. The main build is the sharp military power jet that would look great shooting across the skyline or as part of that LEGO City Airport display.
It has a smart design with the red and white stripes, a sleek shape and adjustable parts for aerodynamic flight. Despite needing quite a minimalist design in order to be a 3-in-1 build, the designers have tried to make this jet as realistic as possible. The model then turns into a little blue chopper and a powerful hovercraft. The hovercraft has room for two mini-figures, although once again the figures are not included in these Creator sets.
LEGO Technic 42040 Fire Plane Building Set
The final building set to look at in this list of cool LEGO planes and jets is something entirely different. The City models have a sense of fun and a story to them, the 3-in-1 sets are more simplistic for younger players and the Technics range goes in a completely different direction. This build uses different elements and moving parts to create a detailed, working model of a Fire Plane.
It has a 2-cylinder engine, ailerons and large pontoons to make it look as realistic as possible and it is has a fun red and white color scheme. The moving parts include the spinning propeller, water drop function and elevators. The one thing that it has in common with the Creator LEGO models is that is can be rebuilt into another design – a high speed jet plane. This is a difficult project but one that is worth the effort.
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