Brickmania Blog

About the Offworld Marines Dropship:

Need a quick ride planet-side? The JC-64 Wolf Core Dropship is your primary transport in and out of combat. Capable of vertical takeoff and landing, the Dropship provides an efficient way to deploy either troops or the famed Offworld APC. Similar to twenty-first century helicopters, the Dropship not only deploys ground forces, but can also act as a support gunship.

The Dropship contains several hardpoints with a variety of armaments. The array of missiles can deal with many different threats including ground targets, enemy aircraft, and armored vehicles. The nose-mounted Gatling gun cupola can be equipped with several different types of ammunition and can be reloaded manually by the Dropship crew. The Dropship is commonly crewed by two members, a pilot and weapons officer. These highly-trained personnel are responsible for the safe deployment of troops and APC’s, along with piloting the Dropship in combat situations.

Specifications

• Deployed: 22^nd Century
• Role: Armored transport
• Crew: 2
• Payload: Loaded Offworld APC or 20 Marines
• Power plant: Twin Republic Dynamics TF-900 turbines, 2x TF-220/A-14 combined cycle engines
• Maximum speed: Mach 12
• Armament: Nose-mounted 25mm Gatling gun in cupola, various missiles

Additional information about this Brickmania custom building kit:

The Offworld Marines Dropship comes with the following features

• 2 Custom-printed crew: one female Pilot and one male Weapons Officer
• Working Elevator
• Holds APC or up to 20 Marines
• Deployable front rocket pods
• Deployable rear arms with launch pods that hold 48 firing missiles
• Adjustable wings with ailerons and side thrusters
• Opening cockpit
• Designed by John Canepa
• Includes 2567 genuine new-condition LEGO® and Minifig.Cat elements
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Advanced Skill Level (6-8 years of experience with LEGO is recommended)

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.

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Brickmania has been featured in a modeler’s magazine – in Israel!

The following article was published in an Israeli model builders’ magazine. The article featured Brickmania as a leader in the LEGO military market and had photos of the F-15E Strike Eagle and the M3A1 Half-Track.

The article was originally written in Hebrew and has been translated into English.

It’s a plane? It’s a tank? It’s LEGO!

By Hagai Bitran

This article may not seem related for those interested in the art of accurate plastic or military modeling. However, it is worth noting that we are discussing the familiar LEGO building bricks, well-known to many modelers. Although simple, you can use these bricks with sophisticated construction techniques to create impressive models, replicating a variety of vehicles and planes in an accurate 1/35 scale. The popularity of these building bricks and LEGO military models have continued to evolve at an increasing rate. For children, these LEGO tanks and planes may be the first step to more advanced and precise methods using plastic or paper.

The field of LEGO military models is not designed or produced by the LEGO Company, but rather by independent entities that use different marketing standards. These entities include both aftermarket companies and independent builders, both of which often post their MOC’s online. These posts are popular among adults (20 and up) and have gathered the interest of veterans worldwide because of their familiarity with military vehicles and aircraft from the various time periods. Several people who are fond of the LEGO brick building system have helped to promote interest in military hardware. Brickmania is an American company who leads the military LEGO market. The company designs and produces detailed LEGO military models, especially from the U.S. military but also those of other world nations such as Russia, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Among these kits, the most sought-after by fans are from the Great War (World War I) and World War II.

Disclosure: I build plastic and cardboard models of planes. I am a LEGO enthusiast (AFOL) and father of two children. Through my fatherhood, I have managed to combine these two hobbies into a great building experience which I share with my children. I teach my kids about various vehicles and tools and they help me in building or build by themselves using complex construction methods. The final model doesn’t just sit on the shelf, but you can touch and play with them. These experiences generate an increased interest in real historic vehicles and create a desire to use more complex and detailed techniques.

As mentioned, this hobby is very popular abroad and there are numerous exhibitions (especially in the United States) that feature LEGO military models. Several of these models are displayed at military venues and often get media coverage. Israel is beginning to use LEGO bricks, but they are often considered relatively expensive as a toy (although these kits can be purchased at a discount or a builder can purchase specific parts). During the Hanukkah 2016 IPMS model show, several LEGO military models were presented for the first time (tanks and aircraft). These models were appreciated by children, as they often build versions of these same models with their loved building bricks.

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Free France and the Free French Forces were government-in-exile led by Charles de Gaulle during WWII. Its military forces continued to fight against the Axis powers as one of the Allies after the fall of France. Initially, the “Free French” forces were drawn mostly from the French colonial empire, rather than the metropolitan France.

We’ve got these “Free French” 2×2 tiles with custom-printing. Designed and printed by Brickmania!

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The BrickArms Navy Commanding Officer Helmet is perfect for those Navy fans looking for added realism!

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Custom printed WWI German Soldier.

LEGO and the LEGO Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or these products.

Dark Gray:

A single World War II German soldier minifigure, custom printed by Brickmania on a genuine LEGO mini figure.

LEGO and the LEGO Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or these products.

Light Gray:

A single WWII German soldier minifigure, custom printed by Brickmania on a genuine LEGO minifigure.

LEGO and the LEGO Minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize or endorse this site or these products.

1×2 Light Gray:

About the Offworld APC – M313 Armored Personnel Carrier:

The Offworld APC – M313 Armored Personnel Carrier is a troop transport used by the United States Colonial Marine Corps. Initially designed to be a low-cost option capable of transporting troops into combat, it ultimately was pushed as more of a multi-role vehicle. Due to keeping the weight relatively low on the vehicle, its armor is less capable than other vehicles.

Made completely out of bonded titanium, this vehicle will keep you safe on planet Xerxes, while still being able to explore its desolate scenery. Though we do not advise prolonged missions across the surface of the planet, you can at least be safe when or if that time comes.

Specifications:

• Crew: 2 (driver and section commander)
• Passengers: 13
• Engine: Arco Continental R-370 multi-fuel gas turbine
• Armament: 2 x Republic Electric RE700 20 mm gatling cannons; 2 x Boyars PARS-150 20 mW phased plasma cannons; 32-round automatic light mortar
• Maximum speed: 42 km/h in six seconds; 150 km/h max

Additional information about this Brickmania custom building kit:

The Offworld APC – M313 Armored Personnel Carrier kit comes with the following features:

• Custom-printed Colonial Marine
• Custom-printed control panels and monitors
• Rotating front mounted 20mm Gatling Cannon
• Rotating top mounted Plasma Laser Cannons
• Sliding entry door and opening top for easy play
• Fits up to 6 seated characters with 4 swiveling chairs
• Designed by John Canepa
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Includes 553 genuine new-condition LEGO® elements
• Advanced Skill Level (6-8 years of experience with LEGO is recommended)

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.

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An alien solider – not as strong nor as scary as the alien queen, but frightening nonetheless. Hailing from Planet Xerxes, you wouldn’t want to fight one of these soldiers one on one. These Alien Soldiers are albino for one major reason – they do not get out much! This has caused a lack of vitamin D. If you aren’t packing some serious heat, you may want to stay inside your ship for protection. These creatures are fast, cunning, and incredibly strong.

If you are planning to take on an alien soldier, we suggest using anything with fire as your weapon of choice.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom building kit: 

• The Alien Solider comes with the following features:
• Posable arms, legs, head, tail
• Body of Alien Solider is twistable
• Glow in the dark tail
• Great for stop motion animation
• Designed by John Canepa
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Includes 23 genuine new-condition LEGO® elements
• Sophomore Skill Level (2-4 years of experience with LEGO is recommended)

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.

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The BrickArms Navy Shore Patrol Helmet is perfect for those Navy fans looking for added realism!

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