New Release: P-61B Black Widow – WII Night Fighter

P-61B Black Widow - WII Night Fighter

About the P-61B Black Widow – WII Night Fighter:

A late addition to World War II, the P-61B Black Widow was designed specifically for night fighting. Night bombing during the London Blitz of 1940–41 demonstrated the need for appropriate countermeasures to combat the Luftwaffe campaign against England. Although the Black Widow did not see action until 1944, it was incredibly advanced for its time and helped contribute to future aircraft design.

Even during World War II, night combat was rare as no effective means of identifying enemy positions were available to commanders. The invention of radar changed this reality, allowing commanders to see enemy aircraft before they reached their target. The Black Widow was one of the first aircraft to be equipped with this new technology. Large fuel tanks allowed for several hours of loitering. Armed with four 20mm cannons and four dorsal-mounted .50 caliber turret machine guns, the Black Widow found success when it engaged enemy aircraft both in the Pacific and over Europe in 1944–45.

Specifications:

  • Crew: 3
  • Speed: 369 mph (594 km/h)
  • Range: 1,900 mi (3,058 km) with external fuel tanks
  • Engine: 2x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-65 radial
  • Radar: SCR-720 AI
  • Armament: 4x belly 20mm cannons, 4x .50 caliber dorsal turret machine guns, bombs

Features of this Brickmania™ Kit:

The Brickmania model features several of the unique components seen on original Black Widows, including the rotating dorsal turret with four machine guns, moveable flaps and elevator, aircraft markings including nose art, and the signature sleek black design. It also includes three custom-printed minifigures to crew your new night fighter.

Model Statistics:

  • This custom model is designed by Cody Osell
  • Three custom-printed minifigures
  • 1/35th scale to match other Brickmania models
  • Includes 1,214 genuine new-condition LEGO® and BrickArms® components
  • Advanced Skill Level (6–8 years experience with LEGO is recommended)
  • Includes full color printed building instructions

Click here to pick your own own P-61B Black Widow – WII Night Fighter kit today!

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All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks. This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited-edition kit and production may be discontinued at any time.

New Release: Merkava MK4 – Main Battle Tank

Merkava MK4 - Main Battle Tank

Merkava MK4 – Main Battle Tank:

The Merkava has been the main battle tank of Israel for over 40 years. The tank has gone through several improvements since it was first conceived after the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The word merkava is the Hebrew word for “chariot”, hearkening back to Israel’s past. The current version is the Merkava MK4, considered one of the finest armored fighting vehicles in the world.

The Merkava is equipped with a 120mm smoothbore gun, 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns, and an internally operated 60mm mortar system capable of firing both explosive and illumination rounds at a range of almost three kilometers. It also comes standard with smoke grenades as another anti-tank measure. Unusual for tanks, the Merkava is also capable of carrying eight infantry soldiers along with its usual crew of four. This feature cuts down on the need for extra logistical vehicles when deploying or extracting troops. Equipped with the Trophy Active Protection system, few Merkava tanks have ever been destroyed in combat. The Merkava was deployed in the 2006 Lebanon War and various conflicts with Gaza, including Operation Cast Lead and Operation Protective Edge.

Specifications:

  • Crew: 4 (driver, commander, gunner, loader) + 8 infantry
  • Engine: General Dynamics GD883 V12 water-cooled diesel
  • Speed: 40 mph (64 km/h)
  • Range: 310 mi (500 km)
  • Armament: 120mm smoothbore MG253, .50 caliber MG, 2x 7.62mm MG, internal 60mm mortar

Features of this Brickmania™ Kit:
The Brickmania™ Merkava model features several key components of the tank including functioning tracks, rotating turret, elevating/depressing gun, opening hatches, and rear opening door for troop deployment. The kit also features one custom-printed Tank Commander and custom stickers. Also included is an M2HB and an M60 from BrickArms.

Model Statistics:

  • This custom model is designed by John Canepa
  • Custom-printed tank Tank Commander
  • 1/35th scale to match other Brickmania™ models
  • Includes 969 genuine new-condition LEGO®, BrickArms®, and Brickmania™ components
  • Intermediate Skill Level (4–6 years experience with LEGO® is recommended)
  • Includes full color printed building instructions

Click here to pick your own own Merkava MK4 – Main Battle Tank kit today!

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All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks. This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited-edition kit and production may be discontinued at any time.

New Release: SBD-5 Dauntless – WWII Carrier-Based Scout/Dive Bomber

SBD-5 Dauntless - WWII Carrier-Based Scout/Dive Bomber

About the SBD-5 Dauntless – WWII Carrier-Based Scout/Dive Bomber:

The fifth iteration of the famed SBD Dauntless, the SBD-5 was the Navy’s primary dive bomber during the Second World War. By the time the SBD-5 was developed in 1943, the Dauntless had already distinguished itself in the Pacific Theater. These dive bombers sank four Japanese carriers at Midway in June 1942 while being relentlessly harassed by Japanese Zeroes. The U.S. victory at Midway is often considered one of the major turning points of World War II, along with Stalingrad and El Alamein. The SBD-5 played a critical role at the Battle of Tarawa, supporting the beleaguered Marines as they struggled against the entrenched Japanese.

Crewed by two men, the Dauntless was considered “slow, but deadly”. Attacking the Dauntless from behind was difficult because of two rear-facing machine guns operated by the second crewman. If the Dauntless managed to survive harassment from enemy fighters, the warplane would open its dive brakes and descend at 70 degrees toward its target for 30 to 40 seconds, making it vulnerable to antiaircraft fire from the surface. After releasing a 500- or 1,000-pound bomb, the crew experienced 4–6 G’s as the pilot pulled the aircraft out of its steep dive.

The Brickmania model features several of the key components on the Dauntless, including the iconic dive brakes, rear-facing machine guns, and three bombs. Two American pilot minifigures are also included along with an arrestor hook for landing on aircraft carriers.

Specifications:

  • Crew: 2
  • Armament: 2,250 lbs. of bombs, 2x forward-facing .50 caliber machine guns, 2x rear-facing .30 caliber machine guns
  • Speed: 252 mph (405 km/h)
  • Engine: Wright R-1820-60 radial, 1,200 hp
  • Range: 773 mi (1,244 km/h)

Additional information about this Brickmania building kit:

The SBD-5 Dauntless – WWII Carrier-Based Scout/Dive Bomber kit comes with the following features:

  • Two custom-printed American pilot minifigures
  • High-quality sticker sheet
  • Dive brakes
  • Arrestor hook
  • Retractable landing gear
  • Two M1919s by BrickArms®
  • Three bomb load-out

Click here to pick up your own custom SBD-5 Dauntless – WWII Carrier-Based Scout/Dive Bomber kit today!

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All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks. This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited-edition kit and production may be discontinued at any time.

Sale: Micro Brick Battle Blitz

Save 25% On All Micro Brick Battle Tanks, Instruction Books, and Battle Packs Today

For one week only, save 25% on all of our Micro Brick Battle tanks, instruction books and even the Battle of Khalkhin Gol Battle Pack!

Whether you’re just getting into the game or you’re a longtime player, this is the best chance to build up your army and dominate all opponents. Take a look at what’s on sale:

Micro Brick Battle – WWII Armored Combat System Book

Micro Brick Battle - WWII Armored Combat System Book

Battle of Khalkhin Gol – Micro Brick Battle Campaign Module

Battle of Khalkhin Gol - Micro Brick Battle Campaign Module

Battle of Khalkhin Gol – Micro Brick Battle Campaign Module – BATTLE PACK

Battle of Khalkhin Gol - Micro Brick Battle Campaign Module - BATTLE PACK

The tanks

 Micro Brick Battle - M4 Sherman Micro Brick Battle - Type 95 "Ha-Go" Light Tank Micro Brick Battle - Panzer III 

Click here to see the rest!

Restocked: WWII British Infantry V2

Restocked: WWII British Infantry V2 – From the beaches of Dunkirk to the beaches of Normandy, this British soldier is a perfect addition to your Allied forces. This Brickmania exclusive minifigure features artwork based on the British 1937 Pattern Battledress, Canvas Gaiters, Black “Ammunition” Boots, 1937 Pattern Web Equipment (with Basic Pouch and Water Bottle), and British Lance Corporal Shoulder patches. Includes BrickArms® Brodie Helmet.

#Brickmania #CustomLego #military #ww2 #history #lego #SmallBusiness #Minneapolis #BestJobEver #wwii

Follow @Brickmaniatoys on Instagram

New Release: M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

Designed for quick movement, this 75mm gun could be broken down into several pieces to enable ease of transport by simple wheeled carriages or pack animals when traveling over rough terrain. As period artillery was difficult and heavy to move, this gun’s mobility meant it could be deployed in operations where heavier artillery was impossible to use, namely amphibious and airborne missions. It was even deployed with British gliders during Operation Market Garden in 1944.

Specifications:

  • Crew: 6
  • Production: 5,000
  • Range: 5 mi (9 km)

Features:

  • Fully posable gun with elevating barrel
  • Opening breech on cannon
  • Can be broken down for transport
  • 1/35th scale to match other Brickmania models

Click here to pick up your own M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer kit today!

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Brickmania TV: M5A1 Stuart - World War II Light Tank

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks. This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited-edition kit and production may be discontinued at any time.

Building On the Past: Armistice Day

Building On the Past: Armistice Day - WWI US Soldier

The horror was over. On November 11th, 1918, the Great War ended.

At Brickmania, we like to note dates of historical significance. Across American history, the course of our nation was dramatically shifted by certain key military events such as Yorktown, Gettysburg, and Normandy. We often focus on the technical details of such events – the places, equipment, and numbers. Yet, there is a wealth of letters, journals, diaries from the soldiers in the trenches. The static nature of the Great War left future generations with detailed accounts of truces, terror, and brotherhood. Perhaps unknown at the time, these soldiers marked the end of one age and the beginning of another.

The age of mechanized war came suddenly and unexpectedly. These soldiers were the first to face barbed wire, machine guns, and poison gas. They were some of the first to hear airplanes over the battlefield and were the first to witness tanks as they crawled across no man’s land. Although no veterans of the Great War remain, their unique experiences on the Western Front can still be heard.

Today marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, or Veterans Day in the United States. This day is also known as Poppy Day. Red poppies had a tendency to grow in the churned-up soil of no man’s land and became a worldwide symbol to honor veterans, a tradition that continues to this day. Today, you may see people wearing a red poppy accompanied by the following words:

Lest we forget.

If there is someone you’re remembering today, tell us their story in the comments.

Veterans Day: Save 15% With Code HONOR18 Today

Save 15% Today With Code HONOR18

Save 15% on your whole order, now through Thursday, November 15th! Just enter coupon code HONOR18 when checking out on our site, or show this post to the associate to save at one of our retail locations.

You can even use this coupon to take an additional 15% off the sale prices of all of our WWI kits! Click here to see the full WWI kits and minifigs selection while they last.

Save 15% On These Recent Releases:

M5A1 Stuart – World War II Light Tank

M5A1 Stuart - World War II Light Tank

M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

M1A1 75mm Pack Howitzer

F-4C Phantom II – Supersonic Jet Interceptor

F-4C Phantom II - Supersonic Jet Interceptor

Panzer IV Ausf G – German Medium Tank

Panzer IV Ausf G - German Medium Tank

New Release: M5A1 Stuart – World War II Light Tank

M5A1 Stuart - World War II Light Tank

About the M5A1 Stuart – World War II Light Tank:

Another successful American tank design, the M5A1 Stuart was the result of extensive testing and refinement. The need for a reliable light tank became apparent to the US Army after the success of German blitzkrieg campaigns in 1939–40. As other European nations struggled to catch up with the German war machine, the United States began work in 1940 to replace the small M2 light tank.

The M5A1 was the second production model in the M5 family. Powered by dual Cadillac engines, this model began production around the time the United States entered the war in 1941. Much like the Sherman, the Stuart appeared in almost all theaters of the war. Armed with a 37mm gun, the Stuart was used primarily for reconnaissance and support, but it was used in combat against smaller Japanese tanks in the Pacific. Built in Detroit, Cadillac produced almost 7,000 Stuarts for the U.S. Army until June 1944 when it was replaced by the M24 Chaffee.

Specifications:

  • Crew: 4
  • Speed: 37 mph (60 km/h)
  • Range: 100 mi (161 km)
  • Engine: 2x Cadillac Series 42 V-8
  • Armament: 37mm M6 gun, 3x 7.62 machine guns
  • Radio: SCR 508

Features:

  • Custom-printed U.S. Tanker minifigure
  • BrickArms M1919 machine gun
  • 2x BrickArms short machine gun barrels
  • Brickmania single-wide black Track Links™
  • Opening hatches
  • Opening rear engine compartment
  • Rotating turret
  • 1/35th scale to match other Brickmania models

Click here to pick up your own custom M5A1 Stuart – World War II Light Tank kit today!

 

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Brickmania TV: M5A1 Stuart - World War II Light Tank

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks. This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited-edition kit and production may be discontinued at any time.

On Sale: The Great War Instruction Book + Signature Weapons Packs

The Great War: Instructions for WWI models using LEGO® Bricks

For our Armistice Sale, all WWI kits, minifigures, and sticker packs are 25% off, and so is our Great War Book and the accompanying Signature Weapons Packs. Pick up a copy of this book, and you’ll be able to use your own bricks to build:

  • QF 13 Pounder
  • Spandau MG 08
  • 75mm Mle 1897 “French 75”
  • 7.7cm Feldkanone 96 neuer Art
  • Ordnance QF 18 Pounder Field Gun
  • Fokker Dr.1 – Red Baron Edition
  • Renault FT – French Light Tank
  • Rolls-Royce Armored Car (Tan)
  • Sopwith Camel
  • Mark V British Heavy Tank
  • Big Bertha
  • A7V German Heavy Tank
  • 2x Modular Trench sections
  • 3x shell craters
  • Vickers HMG

Click here to take a closer look at our Great War instruction book, and be sure to also check out the Signature Weapons Packs designed to go along with the book:

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