Back to Terror & Erebus

Scale: 1cm = 1cm (this is life-sized)

In 2017, a Falcon ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) like this one (but not made from LEGO®) was dropped through a hole the sea ice to explore HMS Terror.

Made by Saab Seaeye, who build lots of underwater robots, it can reach depths of 300 m.

Five powerful thrusters move it in all directions, controlled by a pilot on the surface, with a joystick and a touchscreen.

Its open frame design means it’s easy to attach useful tools like sensors, cameras, lights and a robotic arm.

The Falcon was also used to explore the HMS Erebus wreck.

  1. Sonar – scans 360o for navigation and finding things
  2. Wide-angle video camera on tilting platform – designed to work in dark environments
  3. LED floodlights – adjustable brightness up to 3250 Lumens
  4. Thrusters – four horizontal and one vertical, to move it around
  5. Umbilical tether – connects ROV to pilot on the surface
  6. Open frame chassis – strong and lightweight. Allows water to flow through and has space to attach extra gizmos.

Builder’s notes

Designed by: Stephan Froden

Built By: Stephan Froden and Liam Tullett

The main challenge when building this model was to create the distinct shape of the Falcon ROV.  There is a very heavy top section which needs to able to be supported by the thin white LEGO® frame underneath.  To achieve this, the model was built as two separate models and then joined together towards the end of the build.  Each of the propellers and lights were also created as separate models, and everything had to be joined together like a puzzle in the correct order.

During the design phase we needed to decide which sections of the Falcon ROV were able to be built out of basic LEGO® bricks, and which sections needed a little bit more detail using smaller LEGO® bricks and specialised LEGO® pieces.  This is a fine balance between creating a certain aesthetic and ensuring that the mode can be built in a strong and stable manner.

Care was taken to ensure that each section of the model used LEGO® colours that matched the real-life Falcon ROV as much as possible, and we also included the Canada livery on the top of the model.

Model facts

  • This model took 128 hours to make
  • It uses 26,571 bricks
  • It weighs 25 kilograms