Check out this huge LEGO® Glomar Explorer RC Ship
09 December 2020
As we often write on ToyPro, LEGO® is a great way to keep history alive. With LEGO® you can make history feel alive. LEGO Technic legend Sariel was inspired and sponsored by the company TNG Tech to build the historic ship Glomar Explorer. You can admire the impressive and moving LEGO® ship in the following video.
Project Azorian. Salvaging a Russian submarine
On March 8, 1968, the Russian submarine K-129 sank to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean 1,500 miles northwest of Hawaii. When the Navy of the Soviet Union had not received a message from the K-129 for 2 months, it started a major search for the submarine. However, the Russian Navy could not find the K-129 submarine.
The US Navy, closely monitoring Soviet activities amid the Cold War, was also aware of the sinking of the K-129 and began its own search. The Americans were successful and managed to find the wreckage of the K-129 in August 1968.
Historical photo of the K-129 submarine
The US Navy was eager to recover the K-129 to obtain valuable information. The Russians were of course also keeping an eye on the Americans and therefore the recovery of K-129 had to be done in secret. This project was named Azorian.
A story was made up by the CIA that a deep-sea drillship platform should be built to mine manganese nodules from the ocean floor. The vessel was named Glomar Explorer and was built by Sun Shipbuilding & Drydock Co at a cost of $ 350 million. Can you imagine how important the Americans thought it was to get their hands on the K-129?
In 1974 the Americans managed to recover part of the K-129 with the help of the Glomar Explorer. In 1975, the operation went public when several newspapers published about the project. However, many details have remained secret for a long time and it was only announced in 2010 that the project had the name Azorian.
LEGO® Glomar Explorer
The original Glomar Explorer
Sariel has recreated this historic ship with LEGO® bricks. The LEGO® Glomar Explorer looks like the original and is also packed with functionality, as you can see in the video. The real Glomar Explorer was 189 meters (620 ft.) long, 35 meters (115 ft.) wide and 12 meters (39 ft.) deep. The LEGO® Glomar Explorer is also an impressive 3 meters (10 ft.) long and weighs about 60 kilograms (132 lbs.). Sariel has managed to amaze us again with a great LEGO® Technic MOC. On the website of Sariel you can find more information about this fantastic project. You can read more about the original Glomar Explorer on Wikipedia.
At ToyPro we often write about Sariel's ingenious creations. For example, check out its LEGO® Mini Stepper mechanism and combinable transmission.
About LEGO® Technic
Technic is the theme for LEGO® fans who like to build ingenious, moving sets. LEGO® Technic creations are full of inventive building techniques that simulate reality. LEGO® Technic is therefore an advanced theme, but also suitable for slightly older children with an interest in technology.
At ToyPro you will find a wide collection of LEGO® Technic sets with which you can build cars (including super cars), trucks, ships, cranes and helicopters.
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Have you lost a piece? At ToyPro you can buy LEGO® Technic new parts in addition to complete sets. We have a range of more than 1600 different LEGO® Technic bricks. Not sure which part you are missing? On the product page of a set you can see which LEGO® bricks are in that set.
Do you want to go beyond the standard sets and build your own Technic MOC? Then ToyPro is the LEGO® Technic parts store for you. On the LEGO® Technic parts page you can browse subcategories such as axles, connectors and couplings. You can also filter by size to find the Technic pieces you need. You can also search by LEGO® Design ID and Element ID. If you are searching for LEGO® Technic gear, motor or engine parts, you will find them in our online store.
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