What function does the Fire Plane have?

The model can scoop up water and release it again through moving Technic elements, letting you act out a firefighting run.

How many pieces does set 42040 have?

Fire Plane contains 578 pieces, including 105 unique parts.

Is this set a good starting point for Technic?

With a manageable piece count and clear functions, it makes a good introduction to Technic models with moving parts.

Technic

Fire Plane

Fire Plane is a 2015 LEGO® Technic set that recreates a firefighting aircraft able to scoop up water and release it again. With 578 pieces and 105 unique parts, it counts among the mid-sized Technic models.

Set number: 42040
Year: 2015
Pieces: 578
Minifigures: 0
Theme: Technic
Different parts: 105

What can I build with it?

View the official building instructions at LEGO® ↗

Parts list 105

As BrickLink list (XML)

Import on BrickLink: Wanted → Upload, upload the file (or paste its content), pick a Wanted List and add the parts.

Spare parts (8)

These extra parts come with the set in case one gets lost.

Description

A plane built to do a job

Unlike purely decorative models, Fire Plane is built around a specific function: moving elements let you act out a firefighting run, scooping up water and releasing it over a target area. That focus on function is typical of LEGO Technic and sets the model clearly apart from plane builds in other themes, where the outer shape usually takes priority over any working mechanism. Anyone who has already built other Technic vehicles will recognise familiar mechanisms applied here in a new way.

A compact piece count, clear mechanics

With 578 pieces and 105 unique parts, the set stays approachable while still relying on the axles, pins and connectors that define Technic building. That keeps the build easy to follow and makes it a solid way to learn the basic principles of Technic mechanics before moving on to larger functional models. Building time usually fits comfortably into a single afternoon, without needing to be split across several sessions or losing track of the individual steps.

From chassis to moving mechanism

The build typically starts with the supporting chassis, onto which the moving elements for the firefighting function are attached as the build progresses. That order keeps the mechanism easy to follow from the start, rather than everything coming together in one confusing final step. For children new to Technic in particular, this step-by-step approach makes it easier to understand how force transfers through the model to create movement, rather than feeling overwhelmed by too many steps at once.

Colours with instant recognition

Black and light bluish grey form the structural core, while white and red give the model its classic firefighting-aircraft look and make it instantly recognisable. The full parts list further down this page shows exactly which of the 105 part types come in which colour, handy for tracking down specific pieces for a build of your own or reordering a missing part instead of digging through the whole brick collection.

FAQ

What function does the Fire Plane have?: The model can scoop up water and release it again through moving Technic elements, letting you act out a firefighting run.
How many pieces does set 42040 have?: Fire Plane contains 578 pieces, including 105 unique parts.
Is this set a good starting point for Technic?: With a manageable piece count and clear functions, it makes a good introduction to Technic models with moving parts.