DIY ultra-detailed Boeing 777 aircraft model from cardboard

University student Luca Iaconi-Stewart made a miniature paper model of the Boeing 777 by himself. The materials used were only cardboard and glue. What is even more surprising is the authors depiction of the details of the aircraft. From the aircraft seat cushions to the engine fan blades and even the aircraft landing gear, they are all made with meticulous care.

The 22-year-old has been making airplane models for more than five years. If he hadn't stopped for a year, the model might have been completed. He said the whole production process was a hellish experience.

Luca Iaconi-Stewart first encountered airplane paper models in high school. His love for airplanes prompted him to undertake this huge project.

He used photos and drawings to design his aircraft models, which all started when he discovered detailed drawings of the Air India Boeing 777 aircraft architecture.

This aircraft model contains minute details, from the seats to the wings that resemble the real plane (right) and even the retractable landing gear (left).

Its difficult to describe how the various parts of the plane came together, but what is certain is that he first built the fuselage (the main part of the plane) before building the interior. After learning how to make simple cardboard models, he wanted to take this technique to its extreme, so he planned to make this model. And aviation has been an interest of his for many years, and the project combines his love of aircraft with craftsmanship and design.

He originally drew a perfectly round fuselage, but this approach quickly hit a wall because this design method was impractical, and he eventually had to use a computer. These days, hes looking at photos or engineering drawings and using them to design his own models on a 2D plane. He also said that he started by printing images onto cardboard using Adobe Illustrator, then cutting out the parts and assembling them.

After the fuselage was completed, Iaconi-Stewart installed vertical wings and fuselage lateral stabilizers on the fuselage, and also added fuselage painting. The engine was built midway through the project, and he said he would switch to different aircraft components when he got bored.

Its hard to believe that the intricate opening door pictured on the left is made of nothing more than cardboard and glue. Iaconi-Stewart now uses computers and printing to create precise, tiny aircraft parts (right).

He explained that he actually built two planes, but that many of the early attempts had been discarded. But the experimentation honed his skills, allowing him to create opening curtains and details that look like an airplane galley.

Because his designs were not completed in 3D space, many designs were difficult to implement, especially irregularly shaped parts such as engines and wings. Assembling the pieces was very challenging, he said, and he only recently discovered how to make cardboard bend in three dimensions. The other parts are less challenging as they are just simple assembly. While there was a huge amount of economy class to make, and luckily he could do it while watching a movie or TV show, putting it all together was still a painstaking process.

Its a great feeling to see all the pieces come together, but its really difficult to do it. When it was over, all he felt was relief. Iaconi-Stewart has yet to make up his mind about what to do with the model airplane. But he hopes a museum will eventually house it and people can see the model at the museum and on his Flickr page.