Preface
"This hands-on review is NifeliZ's collaborative experiment in authenticity: a diverse team—from office professionals and LEGO enthusiasts to musicians and photographers—built our own kits alongside fans to experience their joys, struggles, and "aha" moments firsthand. By sharing raw insights into what works, what doesn't, and how we'll improve, we aim to create products that truly resonate with builders while offering you practical guidance.
Whether avoiding pitfalls or enhancing your creative flow, this collective journey—fueled by varied perspectives but united in purpose—is designed to make every assembly smoother, every connection more meaningful, and every build a shared story of growth."
Engine models have always been the most "engineering-heavy" in mechanical building sets. They don't rely on flashy appearances; instead, they let you gradually understand how an engine works—from intake and compression to combustion and exhaust—through complex yet logically clear airflow and transmission systems.
Hi everyone, I'm Cecilia. Nice to see you again! Today I'm bringing you lego-style Turbofan Engine model, which features a semi-open design that exposes the fan, compressor, and gear shafts. Building it isn't just "stacking parts by the instructions"—it feels like exploring the engine's internal world layer by layer. Every piece in your hands connects to the overall structure: the blades rotate with the shaft, the gears drive the system. It's fascinating to see a complex engineering marvel scaled down into a tangible toy model.
Of course, a more realistic structure also means higher assembly demands. Sometimes parts are tight or missing, which can make the process a bit frustrating. Let's dive in and experience the fun and challenges of this model together.
Everything's here—let's get started.
1.Packaging and Box Contents
The packaging design is clean and simple, featuring a line-art style with a strong engineering feel. It makes me look forward to exploring the internal structure even before opening it.
Contents:
•Bag 1 — 7 bags (Steps 1–169)
•Bag 2 — 6 bags (Steps 170–302)
•Bag 3 — 5 bags (Steps 303–409)
•Bag 4 — 5 bags (Steps 410–534)
•Bag 5 — 4 bags (Steps 535–625)
•Bag 6 — 1 bag (Flexible hoses)
•1 instruction manual
•4 storage boxes
•1 bookmark
2.Assembly Process
Bag 1 contains 7 bags of parts
We start with Bag [1.27] to assemble the base support.
Next, open Bags [28.65-1] and [28.65-2] and proceed up to Step 65.
Then open Bag [66.94].
At Step 77, I noticed a black pin was missing, which frustrated me for a moment… Luckily, I usually keep some spare parts, or the assembly would have been interrupted completely.
By Step 94, the base frame gradually takes shape.
Next, open Bags [95.132-1] and [95.132-2].
At Step 100, I used a flexible hose from Bag 6. Because the hole was too small, installing it was quite tricky, which was a bit frustrating and required careful adjustment. I suggest optimizing the hose fit in future versions.
At Step 109, the parts marked with an asterisk are electroplated parts.
By Step 132, the main shaft, compressor stage, and turbine stage basic transmission structure are complete.
Finally, open Bags [133.169].
By Step 169, both sides of the base support are completed, ensuring they are level.
Starting Bag 2, which contains 6 bags.
Open Bag [170.187] first.
Then open Bags [188.223-1] and [188.223-2].
By step 223, the low-pressure compressor section's hierarchical structure is complete, the main shaft is securely installed, and the outer casing is beginning to take shape.
Next, open Bag [224.247].
By Step 247, the fan blades are installed and connected to the gears via the central shaft, allowing free rotation. When I carefully tested it and the blades rotated smoothly, I felt a small surge of excitement—“Finally, it moves!”
Finally, open Bags [248.276]
Lastly, open Bags [2776.302].
These sections assembled smoothly, and my mood was relaxed.
Open Bag [303.330].
At Step 309, I encountered another missing part, which left me frustrated. I had to pause and wait for a replacement.
By Step 330, the compressor, combustion chamber, and turbine nozzle are basically complete. Watching the structure become clear gave me some comfort—at least the main sections were in place.
Open Bags [331.361-1] and [331.361-2].
At Step 361, the rear casing frame is installed.
Next, open Bag [362.388].
Then open Bag [389.409].
At this point, the core engine and mid-compressor section are basically formed, showing a clear turbofan cross-section.
Open Bag [410.425].
By Step 425, the front fan (low-pressure fan) is installed, the main shaft runs through, and the overall frame is close to its final shape.
Then open bag [426.452].
The cross axle in step 429 is extremely tight. I tried several times, even using tools, but it was very difficult to install because I couldn't apply enough force, which was quite frustrating.
In the end, I had to remove the adjacent parts to install it successfully. If this step could be moved earlier to step 93, it would be much easier.
Step 452 completed.
Next, open Bags [453.473].
By Step 473, the engine is mostly complete. I felt relieved to finally see the full effect.
Continue with Bags [474.508] to finish the engine casing; this part is relatively simple.
Finally, open Bags [509.534].
At Step 534, the instruction arrows indicate pushing this part inward to align with the black section. I noticed it can actually be opened anytime to observe the internal operation.
Open Bag [535.569].
My heart sank instantly—Step 550 hit another missing part! The assembly had been going smoothly, but suddenly this tiny blue pin interrupted the flow, leaving me feeling a bit helpless and frustrated.
Next, open Bags [570.602].
At Step 577, continue installing the casing.
By Step 602, the rear cover is installed. This section can also be opened, revealing the full gear operation.
Next, open Bags [603.623].
Finally, open Bags [624.625]. Once the engine nacelle panels are installed, I felt completely relieved—the entire model was finally complete.
3. Overall Review
Once completed, the Turbofan Engine model looks tidy overall. The semi-open design directly exposes the front fan, compressor, and mid-section gears, making the internal logic clear at a glance. Electroplated parts in key areas enhance the texture and make the internal structure more distinct, aligning well with the mechanical model style.
The manual lever linkage is the most practical highlight of this lego-style mechanical build. A gentle turn drives the shafts and blades together, clearly demonstrating the transmission relationships. For enthusiasts who enjoy studying engine mechanics or structural design, this "turn and understand" approach is more meaningful than a completely enclosed design.
The rear section can be opened, providing a small interactive feature to observe the internal layout. This also enhances the display value of the model. While not a complex mechanism, it adds a tangible interactive detail for display.
Overall, the assembly difficulty of this model isn't high, and the structure is quite intuitive. The main challenges are occasional missing parts and some overly tight connections, which can disrupt the otherwise smooth progress. Thankfully, the final look and visual linkage remain impressive. The display and mechanical feel are at the level one would expect. If the issues with part supply and tight connections are resolved, the overall experience would be even better.
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