It's finally here! After almost 4 months of hard work on the design and instructions, I'm proud to present my Zeta-Class Shuttle. In the past, I've enjoyed making designs that Lego has never attempted before. After looking around, I couldn't find any playscale models of the Zeta-Class Shuttle that satisfied my both conditions of accuracy and functionality. I wanted wings that could easily move, despite knowing I would lose a lot of interior space. I also wanted to achieve almost absolute accuracy in every area I could, making use of newer pieces not available when other made their designs in the past. The result is the largest custom build I've ever designed.

Features include the massive hinged wings with Power Functions-enabled drive system, cockpit with seats for three minifigures, opening front ramp with exterior spotlight, and removable landing gear which can be stowed in the rear compartment of the shuttle. The interior of the cargo hold had to be sacrificed for the wing function, but I believe it is worth the tradeoff. The wings travel fully in less than ten seconds as long as you have good batteries installed.

This build is fairly sturdy and can be played with or displayed instead (cockpit and rear end have some minor weak points, don't try to pick it up from there). It is important to note, however, that this NOT an easy build at all. Certain parts of the model cannot be easily disassembled in case of mistakes, and much of the motor wiring requires finesse. I've created several videos and added some more building tips linked below addressing and showcasing important parts of the build. Watching these is a MUST before building. As such, this build is recommended for experienced builders only or those above age 14.

Building tips: The PDF instructions contain many important notes, pay attention to ALL notices and warnings when building (you will need a translation tool if you do not speak English), and refer to the linked videos as necessary. Lubricate ALL long axles above 8L in length using water. Failure to do so can cause axles to seize prematurely when inserting them. The parts will still dry out afterwards, trust me! The 16L axle used in the rear wing hinges may need light taps with a hammer to set it correctly. All parts in red can be any color. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, as it is a lot easier than making a major mistake when building!

Videos: -Wing mechanism showcase: https://youtu.be/vn3V_lFskF4 -Wiring guide (IMPORTANT: REFER HERE WHEN BUILDING): https://youtu.be/MYeGc1giJ9Q -Battery replacement guide: https://youtu.be/ObFKUrsjL8w

Other notes: Minifigures pictured are not included in the parts list. The wing frame design was inspired by Dave's Customs design (no link or instructions for his model as far as I can tell). Do NOT leave wing function running after it has traveled the full distance. Doing so will damage the motors and axles. If you have children who may tamper with the controls, I recommend pulling the wing switch and/or removing the batteries. Estimate parts cost ~$500 excluding Power Functions components, which I recommend buying separately on eBay or another website to avoid throwing off your Bricklink auto-select with the uncommon PF parts. The engine thrust design shown in the last render does not match the instructions or parts list, since part 24246 in trans-light blue has become extremely rare in the U.S. If you can acquire the pieces necessary, I recommend the version shown in that render as I prefer it to using the ten 1x1 round tiles in the current inventory. If you choose to purchase instructions, I truly appreciate your support! I know they may seem a bit pricey at first, but I poured my heart and soul into this build over the summer to make the building experience as easy as possible. I am so glad that this model can finally see the light of day.