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Richard Paules, a Washington-area LEGO builder, spent nine months creating a large-scale replica of Washington Dulles International Airport’s Main Terminal. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority says the model uses approximately 50,000 LEGO pieces and is displayed in the terminal near the West Security checkpoint on the departure level.
Who built the Dulles LEGO model?
Richard Paules, a Washington-area resident and LEGO builder, created the custom model of Dulles’s Main Terminal. The airport authority describes the work as a replica of the terminal, rather than a retail LEGO set.
How big is it, and what does it include?
The Washington Post reported the model is about four feet wide, eight feet long and four feet tall. Alongside the Main Terminal, it depicts the historic tower, a mobile lounge and a space shuttle—details tied to Dulles and its history.
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Paules told The Washington Post, “I think the most difficult thing about these projects is getting scale and proportion right.” That challenge is especially visible in an architectural model built to represent a distinctive airport terminal.
#1 Best Overall
- AIRPLANE TOY FOR KIDS – Playtime takes flight with the LEGO City Airport with Airplane (60502) building toy for kids ages 8 years old and up
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX – Includes everything kids need to build a toy airport terminal, sleek passenger airplane toy with fold-down stairs, jet bridge and airport tug
- PRETEND PLAY POSSIBILITIES – Kids can pass luggage through the toy scanner, rotate the walk-through metal detector to display an X-ray skeleton, change the departure display and help their plane push back from the gate
- 9 MINIFIGURES & ACCESSORIES – Playset includes 9 minifigures with fun LEGO accessories like 3 suitcases, 2 boarding tickets, marshaling wands, a sunflower lanyard, passport, newspaper, map and croissant
- GIFT FOR BOYS & GIRLS – Makes a great birthday gift or anytime treat for kids who love airplane toys, building toys and creative pretend play
How long did the build take?
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority says Paules spent nine months on the project and used approximately 50,000 LEGO pieces. Those figures describe this custom build; they are not specifications for a product available to buy.
Where can you see the model?
The airport authority lists the exhibit in the Dulles Main Terminal by the West Security checkpoint on the departure level. Paules’s portfolio says the authority purchased the model and installed it for permanent display in February 2024. FOX 5 DC reported its move to the airport in January 2024. Exhibit placement can change, so visitors planning a trip specifically to see it should check the airport’s current exhibit information.
Rank #2
- Model airplane and ground support vehicles building toy set for kids – LEGO City Passenger Airplane (60367) set with realistic detailing and functions
- Features and functions – Kids can operate the catering truck to board supplies and remove the aircraft’s roof to access its detailed cockpit, seating, aisle, toilet and catering area
- A treat for fans of toy airplanes – This creative building toy makes a fun holiday or birthday gift for kids and ages 7 and up
- Plenty of room for play – The toy Passenger Airplane measures over 7.5 in. (19 cm) high, 18.5 in. (47 cm) long and 17.5 in. (44 cm) wide
- Fun accessories add to the play – LEGO toy minifigure accessories include a suitcase, camera, backpack, briefcase, walkie-talkie, 2 drinks cans and 2 cups
Can you buy the Dulles replica?
The available sources describe Paules’s model as a custom work purchased by the airport authority; they do not identify a retail version or instructions for recreating it. LEGO City Airport Passenger Terminal 60104 is a separate airport-themed play set, not Paules’s Dulles model.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- RESCUE HEROES IN THE SKY – Kids 6 years old and up can pilot the LEGO City Emergency Air Ambulance Airplane (60465) set on mountain rescue missions with the medical crew minifigures
- WHAT'S IN THE BOX? – Includes a twin-engine ambulance plane with medical lab, a snow scooter, and an airport scene with a wind sock, plus pilot, doctor, paramedic, and skier minifigures
- INTERACTIVE FEATURES – Kids can fold down the boarding stairs to load patients, then access the onboard medical lab complete with monitoring screens, equipment, and treatment stations
- MOUNTAIN RESCUE ACCESSORIES – This airplane toy includes essential rescue gear like a stretcher, medical bag, syringe, water bottle, and snow scooter for reaching patients in need of help
- GIFT FOR BOYS & GIRLS – Makes an exciting birthday present for kids who love airplane toys, building blocks, and heroic rescue adventures
Rank #4
- Build a Complete Airport Scene：This airport building blocks set goes far beyond a single airplane model. It includes a large aircraft, terminal, control tower, and multiple ground vehicles, allowing you to create a complete and realistic airport environment. Instead of building just one piece, you can bring together different elements to form a busy airport scene that feels alive, making it more engaging to build, display, and interact with over time
- More Than a Simple Building Kit：This is not just a plane model, but a full airport playset designed for a more immersive experience. Create takeoff and landing scenes, manage passenger flow, and organize ground operations with different vehicles. The variety of components keeps the experience dynamic, so it does not feel repetitive and gives you more ways to enjoy the set long after the build is complete
- Designed for Aviation Enthusiasts：Created for those who enjoy airplanes, travel themes, and hands on building projects. Whether you are interested in aviation or simply enjoy assembling detailed models, this set offers a rewarding experience. It works well as a personal project, a shared activity, or even a display piece for anyone who appreciates creative builds and transportation themed designs
- STEM Inspired Creative Play：This building set encourages problem solving, spatial awareness, and imaginative thinking through hands on construction. As you assemble different parts and structures, you naturally develop focus and coordination while staying engaged in a creative process. It combines the fun of building with meaningful skill development, making the experience both enjoyable and worthwhile
- Great Gift That Stands Out：A thoughtful choice for birthdays, holidays, or special occasions when you want something more than a typical gift. With its detailed design and complete airport theme, this set offers both building satisfaction and long term play value. It is especially appealing to anyone interested in airplanes, vehicles, or creative building sets, making it a gift that feels unique and memorable
Rank #3
- 【LARGE SIZE】 This large plane building toy measures 21 inches long and 6.7 inches tall. In addition, this realistic airport building set includes a large terminal and an airport tower, as well as two baggage trucks. This well-designed plane's streamlined fuselage, eagle wings and elegant tail design all contribute to its graceful appearance in the blue sky. It is not only a means of transport, but also a symbol of the desire for the blue sky and exploration.
- 【LED LIGHT】This aircraft building block set features with an innovative light design to make your model aircraft sparkle in the dark. The moment your kid lights up, the warm glow spills out through the plane's windows, creating a cosy and mysterious atmosphere. Kids can imagine themselves as the owner of this plane, enjoying their own little world in the quiet night.
- 【RICH DETAILS】This city airplane building toy set includes tons of details, removing the top cover of the plane reveals the cockpit, seating, aisle, dining area, and bathroom. When the cabin door is fully open, it connects perfectly with the boarding stairs and baggage conveyor belt. There are security check machines, LED screens and boarding gate in the terminal building lobby. The VIP lounge is equipped with a coffee machine, magazine rack and dining table. There are more amazing details waiting to be discovered!
- 【SAFE MATERIAL】This plane building set for boys age 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 years old are made of high quality ABS material with smooth edges and no burrs, won't hurt your kids hands. This aircraft building blocks sets can stimulate their curiosity and creativity, improve their imagination and spatial thinking skills. With the guidance of the colorful and easy understanding illustrated manual, kids can assemble a complete airplane on their own.
- 【GIFTING CHOICE】If your families/friends are model aviation enthusiasts, then this one and only airplane plane aircraft model will be a treat for them! This exclusive airport playset restores the grand busy airport in real life. Kids can give full play to their imagination in several hours of building and gain an unforgettable flight experience! It will be a nice holiday gift, birthday gift, Christmas gift for both kids and adults any age.
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