An eight-metre model of the dragon Syrax soared above the Tower of London to celebrate the launch of the third series of House of the Dragon on HBO Max. The dramatic display brought to life a giant replica of the creature from the show, using production scans to ensure accuracy.
Construction and Design
Built by German aeronautics firm Airstage, the dragon features 23 moving parts and uses impellers built into its legs to create lifelike motion. The model weighs 13kg and took three months to construct by a 14-strong team using foam, carbon fibre, and aluminium. The team spent nearly 3,000 hours on the project, finishing the model with detailed airbrushing for a realistic appearance.
The dragon was crafted from vacuum-formed Depron foam around a carbon fibre and aluminium frame. Nils Schlenther, chief operating officer at Airstage, said: “This is one of the most intricate flying models we have ever created. After months of R&D and complex construction, the team studied the movement of Syrax and underwent over seven test flights to ensure her flight was as close as what we see in the show as possible. We have been constantly refining and getting the motion as realistic as possible and so the crowd’s reaction was amazing to see as we know we got it right for the fans.”
Event and Attendees
An evening reception following the display was hosted by Harriet Rose and attended by show stars Kieran Bew, Tom Bennett, Clinton Liberty, and Abubakar Salim, who play characters in the series. The event marked the return of House of the Dragon after nearly a two-year break. The show, based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, is set 200 years before Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen.
The eight-episode season airs new episodes weekly on HBO Max, with the finale scheduled for Sunday, 9th August. Anna Kimber OBE, deputy governor of the Tower of London, said: “The Tower of London has stood at the heart of some of the most dramatic chapters in our history for nearly 1,000 years. While dragons may belong to the world of fantasy, the themes at the heart of House of the Dragon – power, ambition and the struggle for the throne – have strong echoes in the stories that played out within these walls. We're delighted to welcome this spectacular stunt to the Tower, where history and fantasy will meet for an unforgettable moment.”
