The Naval Mantlepiece LEGO Endurance sails in!
It has been some time since LEGO have made a naval ship LEGO Model. I can hear all the pirates and boating AFOLs rejoice thanks to the LEGO Icons The Endurance. This model is LEGO’s own homage to the Trans-Antarctic Expedition in the late 1910’s lead by Ernest Shackleton. Although smaller by comparison to other nautical sets, like the Titanic, this one feels like a mantle piece that would draw attention on any shelf. But under closer inspection, is this a set that sinks or swims? Read on!
Around The Endurance
The Endurance exterior is quite a sight to behold – an elongated boat reminiscent of the nostalgic wooden models of old. The sails and the rigging expand the entire model, leaving no spot feeling empty.
The sides of the ship are even affixed with guard rails, made of skeleton legs in medium nougat. The rotor at the back of the model appears here in gold, which is my first experience of this recolour. Just above our golden rotor is a nice printed ‘Endurance’ sign, with a star – matching the same details on the plaque.
What is a surprising choice by LEGO is the addition of new printed elements – 1×1 round tiles in pearl gold with black circle. This is undoubtedly hull windows, and a strange new printed piece to add to the parts gallery.
There is only one part of the exterior of the ship I dislike, which isn’t obvious from the box. The diagonal sails are attached to the model by threading them through a string. With no other string element to hold it downwards at the corners, these sails simply turn sideways in the wind. This also counts for the two middle sails running perpendicular to the length of the boat.
This isn’t something anybody would experience if the model is simply a mantlepiece, but I still thought to mention it.
The Finer Part Usage
In the close up of the deck of the boat, we find minimalist part usage to create subtle effects across the ship. We have skeleton arms and flexible tubing for rigging, brown 1×4 gear tiles as stairs and 1×2 wall panels with sides as storage. There is also fun use of the compass piece for navigation, and an actually functional steering wheel which turns the rudder!
I do like the inclusion of the lifeboats that are on the sides of the ship, which can be de-attached if you would prefer to display the model that way. Whilst they are hanging, I do think the droid arms make it look a little too mechanical for my liking.
Inside The Endurance
Although not really expected, I was surprised to see a some inner details of the model shine through. There are two different sections of the boat that separate on the model, the rear sections of the deck.
Removing these elements reveals a captain’s quarters, complete with desk, candle and nautical map. On the other side, we get ourselves a small bedroom, with a nifty 3-piece bed!
For the big nautical fans out there, there is the option to remove the engine from the boat, allowing you to display it separately. A fun detail I didn’t expect, but like.
Verdict
The whole model is quite the stellar mantlepiece, even for people who don’t collect boats.
With a price point of $400 AUD, this isn’t too bad a price. Example sets around this price point are the Concorde Jet, Land Rover Defender and the Orient Express – all vehicle sets that are mantlepiece displays.
The bonus is that this isn’t bulky, fills visual space, and is a conversation starter. And hey, when picking it up on launch day – there’s an exclusive GWP.
The gripes I have with the set are minimal, but the overall aesthetic of the set is downright gorgeous.
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