Tour d'Eiffel

I've started branching away more from pure Star Wars Lego in recent months.  I've always had a hankering for the large technic sets but going beyond that was something relatively rare.  However, I couldn't resist the Eiffel Tower (10307) when it came out and hence bought a copy, using some of my points to make myself feel slightly better about the enormous cost.

Anyway, I actually built the set at Christmas and two weeks ago got around to visiting the real thing.  I have to say that the Lego design team has done an amazing job of replicating both the shape and the intricate detail of the Tourd'Eiffel in something that is robust enough to be moved around (albeit in two pieces).

The build took me four days, though not working for more than a 4-5 hours at most on any given day.  The first box does the base and some of the first level.  The second box gets you the first level complete and some of the 2nd.  The third box finishes off the 2nd level and the final box does the tall bit to the 3rd level.  The one thing you find when you get into this set is that you quickly find yourself doing the same cross-spar elements time and time again, though with the occasional subtle variations.  Each of the 3 levels is more interesting as you get to build them out only once and they're all unique.

There is some very clever use of angling techniques to get the structure right and some surprising upside down build for the different levels to slot into.  However, the build did get a bit dull with all of the strut work.  

- Looks: 10/10

- Build fun: 8/10


 

 

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