The #21306 LEGO Ideas Yellow Submarine will be released in just a few days, but apparently it has been showing up at various retailers already. The LEGO version of the Beatles Yellow Submarine was submitted on LEGO Ideas back in May of 2015 by LEGO and Beatles fan Kevin Szeto. The project quickly achieved the minimum number of 10,000 supporters, and was chosen by the LEGO Ideas team as the next LEGO Ideas set. 🙂
It is always interesting to hear about what motivates someone to build a LEGO project. Kevin Szeto shares: “As an amateur musician and songwriter, I have always been drawn to the music of The Beatles. The creation of the Yellow Submarine model was really my way of showing my affection for The Beatles, as well as trying to pay a small tribute to The Beatles phenomenon. The Yellow Submarine is bright, fun, and colorful, which also made it a good subject to translate into LEGO form.”
Once the project was approved, LEGO designer Justin Ramsden started working on the model to refine Kevin’s original submission and bring it closer to LEGO’s own standards. Justin himself is a Beatles fan, and he shares: “I watched the film when I was younger and was really inspired by how it oozed so much imagination – comparable to how I view LEGO elements. I’m also a massive fan of The Beatles having grown up with their music, so to see The Beatles in LEGO form is a dream come true.”
Seeing how a LEGO Ideas submission gets reworked by LEGO’s own designers is quite fascinating. They are usually very good at remaining true to the overall look of the initial project, but they often use very different techniques to get there. In the case of the Yellow Submarine, the original submission was well designed already, and captured the general shape and fun colors, but it was a bit too blocky compared to the roundness of the Beatles artwork. Justin Ramsden was able to bring that roundness back to the model by using some of the newer curved slope bricks and tiles. I also really like how he reworked the piping at the top. The colors also got an upgrade, and instead of just using yellow, light-orange was also added. The decoration should be a printed element, as so far all LEGO Ideas sets have been printed, instead of using stickers.
The minifigs are very similar to the original submission, except for their facial features and hair-pieces. All in all, this looks like a very fun set to display, and due to the sturdy design and accessible interior, it is going to be fun for play too!
Here is the official description of the LEGO Ideas Yellow Submarine: Take a surreal trip under the seas in the LEGO version of the Yellow Submarine from the iconic 1968 animated musical fantasy film inspired by The Beatles. Ideal for display or role-play fun, the Yellow Submarine features loads of cool, authentic details including a cockpit for the included minifigures of John, Paul, George and Ringo.
You can find this iconic submarine and its legendary passengers in stores from the 1st of November, 2016 for a recommended retail price of USD 59.99 / EUR 59,99 / GBP 49.99. The set consists of over 550 LEGO bricks including the 4 minifigures representing John, Paul, George and Ringo, as well as a Jeremy figure, and is an ideal gift for fans of LEGO building and The Beatles alike, with great opportunities for role play or as a colorful, retro display piece. It will be available under the LEGO Ideas section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the LEGO Ideas Yellow Submarine? Are you planning to get it? How do you like the final design compared to the original submission? And what do you think of the color and part choices and the minifigures? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below! 😉
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No offense to Kevin, but I think the final release is closer to the source material. Especially the shape of the tail and rudder, as well as the pipes up top and the shaping of the hull. Its a neat looking set, I wonder how many will end up in the hands of Beatles (not LEGO) fans?
I agree that the final design is much closer to the original artwork. But that’s the beauty of submitting a winning model to LEGO Ideas. You will have a chance to see how LEGO’s own designers make your model even better. I think it’s really an honor to experience that, even besides LEGO selling your sets. 🙂
This is likely going to be like the LEGO Ideas Ghostbusters Ecto-1, where even non-LEGO fans will get into it. The Yellow Submarine and LEGO is just a really-really good combination. 😀
My assumption is the resellers will have a field day with this one sadly. I can see demand being ridiculous as its one of the very few sets any of my non lego fan friends are queuing to buy. I’ve been asked by seven separate people in the last week if I can get them one and I am sure many others have had the same experience. For me I’m probably going to buy one and sit on it, but I’m not sure I’d buy it for myself. Gift it yes absolutely. Yes I’m aware by doing that I’m a part of the problem the only difference being this may end up being the first set I buy that I genuinely have little interest in building myself despite thefab four being a part of it.
Yeah, resellers love the Ideas sets. And I have been having the same experience as you; people asking me if I could get one for them. The only other set I had this experience with was the LEGO Ideas Birds set, which appealed to a lot of people who weren’t into LEGO at all.
Ringo’s got a ‘ole in ‘is pocket but what is George holding?
According to the official description: “Accessory elements include John’s telescope, Paul’s 1×2 ‘Love’ tile, Ringo’s round 2×2 ‘half a hole’ tile, George’s submarine motor and Jeremy’s apple.” 🙂
Not a Beatles fan (although I do appreciate their talent) so I won’t be picking up the set, at least at full price. I will save my LEGO fund for Assembly Square instead.