At 2.8 metres long, the model uses 113 098 LEGO bricks and took a team of three people 237 hours to build.
The inspiration to build the model came to Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught while he was in Hobart in 2016 and saw RSV Aurora Australis preparing for one of its annual Antarctic resupply voyages. He discovered the ship was nearing the end of its service life and that a replacement icebreaker was under construction.
Mr McNaught is one of only 14 LEGO Certified Professionals in the world, and the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. He uses his brick-laying skills to create award-winning sculptures, historical dioramas, architectural and engineering models, and mosaics. His creations often include ‘Easter eggs’ (hidden jokes or secret features) — such as an alien in an ice block and some angry penguins on the RSV Nuyina!
Sachie Yasuda
Australian Antarctic Division