The latest LEGO® GWP is now available and allows you to build a set that honours the iconic adventurer Amelia Earhart. Inspired by the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic, it includes a Minifigure of the female pioneer and her plane, the Lockheed Vega 5B. In celebration of International Women’s Day, here’s a Q&A with Mel Caddick, the LEGO designer behind the new Amelia Earhart Tribute set, which is currently available for free when you spend £100/$100/100€.
Question: How would you describe Amelia Earhart? What does she represent to you?
Answer: Amelia Earhart was a great icon, a pioneer and an author. As the first female to fly solo across the Atlantic, she was clearly very adventurous and determined and I think her story inspires anyone who wishes to pursue their dreams.
Amelia Earhart taught us that passions, aspirations and courage know no gender – a legacy not passed on by many, and for that I think we found the perfect personality to celebrate for 2021 International Women’s Day.
Question: What inspired you to create this model?
Answer: We were inspired by Amelia Earhart’s groundbreaking achievement of being the first woman to do a Transatlantic solo flight. The red Lockheed 5B Vega was the plane in 1932 that she used to cross the Atlantic alone. Naturally, this was the perfect model to represent her achievements.
Question: What did you want people to learn from this model?
Answer: I am hoping the model of Amelia Earhart can inspire and encourage, not only women, but all people around the world, to be curious and brave about their passions and aspirations – especially when facing rigid traditions, structures or the likes, that tries to keep them down. Passions and aspirations are fragile, and they need nurturing, space and determination to unfold – and that is exactly what Amelia Earhart taught us.
Question: How did you approach the development of the model?
Answer: We started with some blueprints of the red Lockheed 5B Vega plane and tried to find elements that could help bring it to life. It was really important that we kept the model as true to the original as possible; to include the yellow lines, the decorations and the shape of the plane. We really wanted Amelia Earhart to be represented as a Minifigure, so we created an exclusive new design especially for her by including it in this model.
Question: What do you like most about working with the LEGO Group?
Answer: It is a childhood dream to be working here. I have been here since 2008 and for the past 10 years as a designer working with the LEGO bricks creating products. What I love about the bricks is that the possibilities are endless, only your imagination is the limit. I love being able to work on many different products, especially with a strong and inspiring story like Amelia Earhart’s. It is a privilege to be able to create products that inspire children and adults of all ages all around the world
Question: What other projects have you worked on?
Answer: One of the latest products is Charles Dickens Tribute and Gift with purchase Vintage Car. What I really like about working on these projects, is in the same way with Amelia Earhart, you get to know people who are incredibly talented and passionate. So many people are doing incredible things every day, but we only have so little time to stop, think and listen to the story of someone new. To these kinds of projects, there is just a deeper level of meaning, which I personally find very purposeful.
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