Awesome Models

Artist Scott Sloan previously wowed us with his 1:6-scale mini pinball machines. Now, he’s showing off a miniature vending machine that actually dispenses tiny soda cans. It’s based on a classic 1970s Dixie Narco soda machine and works just like the real thing, complete with a coin mechanism. We love the funny Q*Bert sounds it makes.

TheBlockZone sells models inspired by supercars, trucks, and motorcycles. The kits are designed by car fans and brick-building experts and range from 500 to 11,000 pieces, many with remote-controlled features. Some of our faves are the Widebody German Coupe, the British Off-Roader, The Ultimate Italian Classic, and the Time Machine Pickup.

We have a hard enough time putting together an off-the-shelf model. Top One Maker is an overachiever and builds all of his models from scratch. In this video, he shows how he took some grey PVC pipe, heated it, and cut and assembled the pieces to form the body and chassis of a remote-controlled Mercedes-Benz AMG G 63 SUV.

The Euthanasia Coaster is an insane hypothetical roller coaster designed to kill its passengers. Until now, it’s only existed as a design on paper and a non-working model. Thanks to Coaster Obsessed, we now have a working version of the killer coaster, made out of K’Nex building kits. It’s the last thrill ride its pint-size passengers will ever take.

Donny Chen, aka SleepyCow, is a master at making seemingly impossible LEGO creations. We’ve been wowed by his LEGO bicycle and LEGO Ideas grand piano. Donny’s latest creation is a mind-blowing golden dragon covered with 1300 scales and assembled from more than 6500 pieces. LEGO fan Ben Cossy takes a look at this artful dragon and explains how it was built.

LEGO sells some cool airplane models, but none of them are nearly as impressive as this jumbo jet built by BigPlanes. The 20,000-piece replica of an American Airlines Douglas DC-10 Luxury Liner measures five feet long. It has motorized engines and landing gear, adjustable flaps, and a minifigure-scale cabin. Want to see how he built it? Watch the time-lapse video.

This unique wall clock is made up of more than 300 components, which come together to accurately tell time. It features numerous wood gears, and a hot air balloon that rapidly descends at the top of each hour then rises as each minute ticks by. Designed for advanced builders, with an estimated 11-hour build time.

This wonderfully soothing video provides a close-up look at some of the teensy scale model submarines, boats, and ships floating in the water tanks at Miniatur Wunderland. If you’re ever fortunate enough to be in Hamburg, Germany, you must visit this incredible tiny world.

At first glance, we thought this was one of those tilt-shift videos that makes people and things look tiny. But you’re looking at a detailed scale model of a carnival built by Tobias Augustin. The miniature amusement park is filled with motorized thrill rides, carny booths, and other attractions illuminated with thousands of colorful NeoPixel LEDs.

Hokusai’s Great Wave off Kanagawa is one of the world’s most iconic artworks. It’s been the subject of countless tributes over the years. LEGO builder Jumpei Mitsui assembled an enormous 3D model of the wave using 50,000 bricks and shared this time-lapse video of the build. He created the piece for an installation at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

This metal spider looks like some kind of creepy-crawly robo-arachnid. It’s made from dozens of tiny stainless steel parts and can be assembled or disassembled without glue. The finished model measures about 4.92″ x 4.92″ x 1.38″. They also make a more complicated steel scorpion kit.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket can land back on Earth after lifting payloads into space. Project Horizon has now replicated this impressive engineering feat on a much smaller scale. It’s hard enough to keep a model rocket balanced as it launches, let alone being capable of a controlled descent like this. It took 32 test flights to get it right. Onboard footage here.

Despite advancements in 3D visualization tech, architects sometimes still need to show physical models of buildings. MonsterKook is an expert at making this type of miniature, and his YouTube channel is filled with these tiny houses, including this impressive creation featuring structural walls he made by filling foamboard forms with cement.

Robotime’s ROKR division is showing off a flat-pack wood model that lets you build a replica of a Thompson M1928 submachine gun. The finished gun not only looks like the real deal, but it rapidly fires lightweight projectiles using a rubber band and spring firing mechanism. It’s even got a removable magazine.

LEGO brings the iconic supersonic jet, the Concorde, to life with a fantastic 2083-piece kit. The brick-built model looks like the real airplane, with a tilting nose and tail landing gear. Under its roof, you’ll find a micro-scale cabin, complete with seating. The finished plane measures 42″ long with a 17″ wingspan. Comes with a display stand and an information plaque.

Model railroad enthusiast Engineman takes us on a ride through his enormous H0 scale railway. As it winds from room to room, you’ll enjoy grassy hills dotted with tiny trees and detailed miniature buildings. The stark, unfinished sections where the tracks wind through tunnels remind us that it’s only a model.

Artist LiuMutou shows off his expert model-making abilities by carving an impeccable replica of a 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. Every detail is there, including a tiny steering wheel, a curved acrylic windshield, working lights, and sharp tailfins. And it doesn’t just sit there; it’s got a working powertrain and even can drift.

Everyone’s favorite Wookiee gets the LEGO kit he deserves. This 2319-piece model of Chewbacca is no little Minifigure. Nope, this guy stands an impressive 18″ tall and looks furry, thanks to the clever use of curved bricks. Chewie is wearing his bandolier and carries a Bowcaster to fire when he’s not close enough to rip his enemies’ arms out of their sockets.

Oregon’s Train Mountain is home to the longest model railroad in the world. It has a 1/8th-scale electric-powered train that rolls on 37 miles of track, including multiple pathways controlled by switches, tiny towns, railyards, bridges, and a turntable. DownieLive managed to score a ride on the miniature train to experience its many wonders.

Modelmaking has always fascinated us. Cath from The Square to Spare shows us the steps to make a miniature fridge that looks just like those fancy French door models. Its cabinet can be 3D printed or cut from balsa wood, with acrylic or resin shelves, wrapped in stainless steel contact paper, and lit with LED fairy lights.

There are lots of collectibles based on the DeLorean DMC-12 from Back to the Future, but Tomy has the most accurate replica yet. Their 1:10-scale die-cast metal time machine measures 17″ long, has working interior and exterior lighting, gullwing doors, and even emits smoke from its rear fins. Early birds can save $100 off what is likely to be a pricey toy.

ProjectAir has been working on a jet-powered R/C race car with the goal of breaking a speed record. In this video, he tested his jet car’s speed and stability on a race track. He didn’t push it anywhere near the limit yet, but he did race it against Major Havoc’s jet-powered go-kart. We love the sound this thing makes when it spools up.

Woodworker Carl Jacobson shows us the process of building a miniature replica of Fred’s prehistoric car from The Flintstones. He built the foot-powered “Flintmobile” from maple burl and walnut, with beautifully turned wood roller wheels. The leather chamois canopy offers protection from heat, rain, and pterodactyl poop.