Awesome Models

Dan Siskind of Brickmania has spent countless hours (and dollars) building a 25.5 foot long, historically-accurate model of U.S. Navy vessel the USS Missouri from over 1,000,000 LEGO pieces. More on Flickr. (Thanks Orion!)

Build tiny, intricate urban landscapes with these full-color 3D printed blocks, inspired by architecture from major cities around the world. They snap into a special baseplate which can even house LED illumination for their windows.

This incredibly detailed model of the Space Shuttle Atlantis resides at Minimundus, a theme park in Klagenfurt, Austria. The model isn’t just static – the shuttle has a full countdown sequence and actually “lifts off,” without leaving the ground.

Sandy’s CanCars takes the art of aluminum can sculpture to a whole new level. His intricate cars are handmade from dozens of cans, along with balsa and custom metal parts. The models sell for thousands, Sandy sells DIY plans for just $10.

LEGO follows up the VW Camper with a model of another classic car, the Mini Cooper. It’s made of over 1,000 pieces, some of which have never been made before. It comes with a picnic basket, blanket and a spare tire. Available 8/1 for $100.

This intricate, pneumatic-powered LEGO Technic model built by Huib van der Hart replicates the inner workings of a V-8 engine – and is nearly as loud as one – so you might want to turn your speakers down for this one.

This amazing 1:60 scale model of a Boeing 777 airliner is being crafted from thousands of meticulously cut pieces of manila folders by papercraft artist Luca Iaconi-Stewart. The doors even have working hinges. WIP videos here.

A desktop device that uses lasers to small objects into 3D digital models in minutes. Combine it with a 3D printer to make your own home replicator system. The Matterform is much cheaper, but it’s too soon to tell which is better.

Brickmania’s incredible recreation of the deadly WWII beach landings at Peleliu, created from over 500,000 LEGO parts. Includes the massive USS LST 325, tanks, airplanes, tons of custom minifigs and weapons, and even a shark.

LEGO extends its collection of architectural icons with this 2989-piece expert model of the world famous Sydney Opera House. Measures 25″(w) x 11″(h) x 15″ (d) when complete. Coming 9/2013 to the LEGO Shop for $319.99(USD).

An awesomely detailed 1559 piece LEGO kit based on Luke Skywalker’s X-Wing Fighter. The 20″ long model has wings which open and close smoothly, a see-through cockpit, and a tiny R2-D2 minifig.

Most people take it slow their first time performing in front of a crowd. Not Joe Smith though. He was just 17 and had only been flying for 2 years when he put on this amazing RC plane demo.

Artist Jill Sylvia creates incredible models of structures such as the New York Stock Exchange, the U.S. Treasury and the Capital using sheets of financial ledger books with holes cut out of them.

While most of us will never be able to afford the $2 million+ dollar pricetag of an actual Veyron, we can live vicariously through this intricate paper model you can cut out and build for yourself.

Build your own DeLorean, with this 287pc. LEGO brick kit from Ichiban Toys. Their latest DMC-12 refines prior designs, with moving gull-wing doors, retractable wheels and room for two minifigs.

After you’re done racing your 100mph RC car, hit the waters with the world’s fastest ready-to-race RC boat, topping out at speeds in excess of 50mph. Just drop in a power pack and head for the seas!

This amazing clip shows the meticulous handcrafting of a tiny V12 motor. How tiny? The crankshaft could fit in your palm and the cylinders are only 11.3mm wide. It’s alive at about 8:07.

We’ve seen motorcycle sculptures made from some unusual materials, but we can honestly say this is the first time we’ve seen one made from a crustacean. Shellfish allergy? No ride for you.

The iconic Volkswagen T1 Camper Van gets immortalized in LEGO form. This official 1,332 piece kit has working doors, windows, and a detailed interior and engine. Out this October for ~$100.

This insanely detailed, working wooden model of a Caterpillar excavator took Rob Fisher’s Woodchuck and Co. 3,000+ hours to build, using 4,000+ handcrafted pieces of cherry and walnut wood.

You wouldn’t believe it from the looks of this image, but what you’re looking at is an incredible, working miniature model of an airport. More images and videos of the Knuffingen Airport here.

It took Alan Wolfson 18 months to finish this 27 x 23.5 x 19.5 inch 5-piece cross-section model. It’s not an exact representation, but Wolfson’s attention to detail more than makes up for it.

This like an old photograph from the 1950s, but it’s actually a detailed model from artist Michael Paul Smith, who’s compiled his scenes into Elgin Park, a book about a fictitious retro-style town.