An eight-metre model of Syrax, the dragon from House of the Dragon, glided past the Tower of London in a dramatic display to mark the launch of the third series on HBO Max. The spectacle featured a flying replica built by German aeronautics firm Airstage, using production scans from the hit show to bring the dragon to life.
Dragon Construction and Flight Details
The model, weighing 13kg, was crafted from vacuum-formed Depron foam around a carbon fibre and aluminium frame, finished with detailed airbrushing for a lifelike appearance. It features 23 moving parts and moved using impellers built into its legs to create realistic motion. A 14-strong team spent three months and nearly 3,000 hours constructing the dragon.
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.”
Evening Reception with Cast Members
A special evening reception following the flight was hosted by Harriet Rose and attended by stars of the show, including Kieran Bew, Tom Bennett, Clinton Liberty, and Abubakar Salim. The actors play Dragonseeds Hugh Hammer, Ulf White, Addam of Hull, and Alyn of Hull respectively, characters recruited as Dragon Riders by Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) in the series.
Historical Significance of the Tower of London
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.”
Season 3 Details
House of the Dragon, based on George R.R. Martin’s novel Fire & Blood, is set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones and tells the story of House Targaryen. The eight-episode season will air new episodes weekly on HBO Max, leading up to the season finale on Sunday, 9th August.
