Two recent LEGO reveals collide in the impressive Maid of Fabuland Steamboat build, currently on display at the LEGO House.
The LEGO Group recently revealed two new set releases and the pair of models couldn’t have been more different from each other. 40506 LEGO Fabuland Tribute arrived as the latest LEGO House exclusive on March 1, while 21356 River Steamboat is due to launch on April 7 for Insiders and for everyone else on April 11, complete with its own GWP.
Taking those sets one step further is the Maid of Fabuland, built by dedicated fan modelmaker Stewart Lamb Cromar. The set uses LEGO Fabuland pieces and figures to create a truly impressive steamboat, one that’s now on display in the World Explorer experience at the LEGO House.
The opportunity came about after LEGO House Master Builder Stuart Harris invited Stewart to contribute a creation to the Billund location, following the latter starting to lose his sight last year.
As a lifelong fan of LEGO Fabuland, Stewart set about making a model that not only paid homage to the theme from yesteryear, but also told a few new stories too. Maid of Fabuland is a nod to 3673 Paddle Steamer from 1985 and was assembled in modular form, features a stern wheel with 12 paddle blades and sees the return of the Wilfred Walrus figure from the previous set as captain of the new vessel.
Stewart also decided to acknowledge his loss of vision and raise awareness of invisible disabilities by including LEGO Braille Bricks in the Maid of Fabuland build. The pieces can be seen being carried by one of the monkey sailor figures on the ship and spell out the word ‘LOVE’.
Additional details and Easter eggs in the Maid of Fabuland include a blooming romance between two passengers, Lionel Lion and Hannah Hippopotamus (following their first date in 1988’s 3622 Rowboat), a monkey slipping on banana peels and a sign that uses LEGO Braille Bricks.
Those who want to check out Stewart’s amazing Maid of Fabuland in person can find the model on display at the LEGO House for at least the next year and you can discover much more about the fan-designer’s journey to create his build right here.
40506 LEGO Fabuland Tribute is currently available for visitors to purchase from the LEGO House for 649 DKK and 21356 River Steamboat will be released next month, priced at £289.99 / $329.99 / €329.99.
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links. Thanks!
Comments
Be the first to comment!