The Brickmania Blitz Box – A Closer Look
BRICKMANIACS! It’s been years since the Brickmania team released a battle pack like the Brickmania Blitz Box 2020. Loaded with six custom creations and designed collectively by some of the best military LEGO® creators in the world, and featuring six custom minifigures (including 3 brand-new German, French, and British officers) the Blitz Box includes iconic vehicles, artillery, minifigures, and uniforms from the outbreak of World War II, and it’s also your chance to own a piece of Brickmania history!
Here’s a bit more about each kit included in the Brickmania Blitz Box Exclusive Battle Pack 2020…
About the German Panzer II Ausf. C Light Tank:
First seeing action in Poland in September of 1939, the Panzer II Ausf. C was famously used in the invasion of France, when the 1st Panzer-Division pushed through the Ardennes in May of 1940. The tank featured a 2cm Kw.k.30 L/55 auto-cannon capable of firing three different shells. Armor ranged from 5mm to 16mm and the total weight of the tank was 8.9 tons, a full ton heavier than the Panzer II Ausf. B, but because of the tank’s beefed up Maybach HL 62 TR 6-cylinder 140hp engine its top speed remained 40km/h (25 mph).
About the German 3.7com Pak 36:
The first mass-produced German anti-tank gun, the Pak 36 was the standard infantry gun of the Wehrmacht from 1937 to 1942 and was used effectively in Poland at the start of WWII. Capable of firing 13 rounds-per-minute, the effective range of the Pak 36 was about 300 meters or 328 yards. Typically towed behind horses or a light vehicle such as a Kettenkard, the gun required a crew of two to operate the weapon, but at least three to pack it up for transport.
About the French Hotchkiss H35 mod 40 Light Infantry Tank:
Equipped with up to 40mm (1.57in) of armor, the German forces utilizing 3.7cm Pak 36 Anti-Tank guns upon the invasion of France were shocked to see their projectiles bounce off the armor of the Hotchkiss H35. Armed with a SA 18 main gun and 7.5mm coaxial Rebiel machine-gun, the tank was crewed by just two soldiers; the tank commander whom doubled as the gunner, and a second crew member that functioned as the driver.
About the French 75mm Mle 97/38:
Capable of firing both high-explosive and shrapnel rounds, the Canon de 75 mle 1897 was a very effective artillery piece upon its creation. From 1897 until 1940 over 21,000 units were supplied to the French Army. The 97/38 variant was a modified field gun with a revised shield, metal wheels and rubber tires and was the core of the French artillery units at the outbreak of WWII.
About the British Vickers Light Tank Mk VIC:
Initially designed for colonial warfare, many of initially produced the Vickers Mk. VI were sent to countries such as Africa, Palestine, and India. By the time WWII broke out in Europe, the Vickers Mk. VIC was Britain’s most produced tank with almost 1000 in service, compared to less than 100 of the Infantry Tank Mk.Is and Cruisers I/II. While the Mk.VIC struggled in the early European campaign against the better armed Panzer II, it found success in North Africa during the counter-offensive of the Italian invasion.
About the British Ordnance QF 2-pounder:
Eventually replaced by the 6-pounder once readily available, the Ordnance QF 2-pounder was the backbone of British infantry units from 1935 until 1942 and served in many theaters including France, Norway, Italy, North Africa and more. During combat, the crew would remove the gun’s road wheels and deploy a three-legged stabilization allowing for steady support across difficult terrains, and the gun’s mount to traverse a full 360-degrees.
Happy Building!
