Summary

In the words of Randy Parker, "Wow! A Zepplin!"

Features:

Under 900 pieces
32 cm height
Working rudder
Gear-activated propeller
Motley Victorian crew

Marketing Blurb

Gear up for adventure aboard the Zephyr, a graceful LEGO take on the classic steampunk airship. Crewed by a stereotypically Victorian cadre: a silver-haired inventor, mustachioed automaton, spunky mechanic, and cheerful ragamuffin; the Zephyr is ready to carry you on any dashing enterprise.

The Zephyr is equal parts play and display, packed with fun details including a working helm and rudder, gear-activated propeller, steampunk-style engine, exposed gears, small flying contraption, and more. The airship easily lifts off its display stand and is sturdy enough to handle a gentle swoosh.

Design

The envelope or hull ("balloon" as the rest of us might call it) is the focal point of any zeppelin. Without a smooth envelope, or the right proportions between the envelope and gondola, an airship loses the gracefulness that captured our imaginations in the first place.

It was the Tintin Moon Rocket (21367) that made the Zephyr a reality. The rocket provided the perfect starting point. I began with its interior frame, but it required significant modification: a gear system for the rear propeller, brick-built conical sections to support the moving parts and expanded structure, and a solid connection to the gondola. All this while working within the limited color palette (I can't believe there aren't a right AND left dark orange 2x6 wedge available).

The gondola presented its own set of challenges. It needed to be strong enough to sit securely on the display stand while also anchoring the envelope. I wanted the steering wheel to turn the rudder, too. All of this had to preserve space for minifigures while keeping the gondola small enough to maintain the proper proportions of an airship.

The display stand is inspired by the stands used for many UCS Star Wars sets, allowing the Zephyr to be easily removed for play. The quote on the modified tile comes from Johannes Kepler, in a letter to Galileo:

"Ships and sails proper for the heavenly air should be fashioned. Then there will also be people, who do not shrink from the vastness of space."

I also considered a quote from Isaac Asimov:

"In a properly automated and educated world, then, machines may prove to be the true humanizing influence.It may be that machines will do the work that makes life possible and that human beings will do all the other things that make life pleasant and worthwhile."

And the classic:

"Steampunk is what happens when goths discover brown."

Given the questions about structural strength, hose length for rigging/railing, steering, and the propeller, I decided to build the Zephyr with physical bricks rather than relying solely on STUD.IO. The finished model is structurally sound and can be lifted by any of the major parts: envelope, gondola, or display stand. That said, it is rated for gentle swooshing only. Which is probably appropriate. After all, airships generally don't go that fast.