What is it with boys and Legos?

Lionel has been at it again! He's 13 but he never ever tires of playing with Legos! He must have enough of them to fill a small truck...seriously. When he was younger he'd ask for those big sports sets. He'd put them together and use them for a few months, then the pieces would slowly be taken apart and added to the bins of Legos in his room. He had the soccer field, the basketball court and a gazillion train and other vehicle sets! I compare the floor of his bedroom to a mine field, but instead of bombs there are sharp edged Legos everywhere!

For whatever reason, Lionel is into aircraft, specifically WW II aircraft! We have an awesome avaiation museum not too far from our home which houses several planes from that era. He's anxious to get back there and see them again!! He'd probably fly in them if he had the chance. Anyhow...the Legos were put away for a while, but lately he's taken them out again. He has been building aircraft after aircraft. There is an entire fleet of planes from all over the world in his bedroom...the US Air Force, Navy, Army, the R.A.F. (England) and Japan. Whenever he gets the chance, he builds another plane to add to his collection.

Here are some of his creations. Just remember that he's building them out of square/rectangle bricks, so they're not exact by any stretch of the imagination, but some aspects are pretty close. Either way, he's being creative and is learning quite a bit in the process and that makes me one proud mama!!

US Air Force
P-38
Lightning


Royal Air Force
Bell P-39
Airacobra



US Army
P-40
Warhawk


US Navy
F-4U
Corsair
(His FAVORITE!)


Royal Air Force
P-51
Mustang

Here he is with one of his planes...notice the shirt...same as the plane he's holding.

I'm so glad Lionel is passionate about something that makes him happy, yet is educational at the same time! It can't get better than that!!! Both of his grandfathers have inspired him too. My Dad was in the Air National Guard plus he worked for Sikorsky Aircraft for over 45 years! Helicopters were his life!! My father-in-law was in the Army and was in the Korean War, so there are lots of great stories to pass on.

Since he's so fascinated, I found a bunch of websites for Lionel pertaining to the war and aviation. There are some awesome photos on these sites, so go take a look when you get the chance.

• WWII Wikipedia
• Timeline with photos
• WWII films
• USS Arizona
• Planes & Pilots of WWII
• Fighter aircraft pictures
• American aircraft of WWII
• P-38 Association
  

Have fun!