Brickmania Blog

We have added a batch of hand-selected BrickArms for December. Order these today while supplies last.

About the M48 Patton MBT:

The M48 Patton was a main battle tank designed and produced in the United States in 1952. It was a further development of the M47 Patton tank, and served in the U.S. Army and Marine Corps as the primary battle tank in South Vietnam. The M48 Patton was the last U.S. tank to mount the 90mm gun with future tanks upgrading to the 105mm gun. It was in service from 1953-1990s in the United States. The Turkish Army currently has the largest number of modernized M48 MBTs with more than 1,400 in its inventory.

The M48 saw extensive action during the Vietnam War with over 600 being deployed. Initial M48s landed with the US Marine 1^st and 3^rd tank Battalions in 1965. It performed admirably in Vietnam in the infantry-support role, but there were few actual tank versus tank battles. They were later used to sweep for mines in what was called the “Thunder Run” – essentially quickly moving through the land in an attempt to find any possible mines before American troops pushed forward each morning. Mines that struck the M48 rarely totaled the tank. The worst damage would usually be a lost wheel or two.

Specifications:

• Weight: 45 tons (combat ready)
• Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
• Armor: upper glacis – 110mm at 60 degrees = 220mm for line of sight; turret front – 178 mm at 0 degrees
• Main armament: 90mm T54; M48A3 90 mm gun M41; M48A5 and later variants: 105mm M68 gun
• Secondary armament: .50 cal M2 Browning machine gun + .30 cal M73 machine gun
• Engine: Continental AVSI-1790-6 V12 air-cooled twin-turbo gasoline engine
• Power: 16.6hp
• Transmission: General Motors CD-850-4A or -4B, 2 ranges forward, 1 reverse
• Operational range: M47 and M48A1 – 113 km
• Speed: M48A5: 30mph (48 km/h)
• Number produced: 12,000 (M48)

Additional information about this Brickmania custom building kit:

The M48 Patton MBT comes with the following features:

• Includes working suspension
• Printed Exhaust Tiles
• Mechanical turret function
• Rotating command turret with BrickArms .50 cal
• Tank Commander minifigure included
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models.
• Designed by Cody Osell
• Includes 927 genuine new-condition LEGO® bricks and BrickArms® elements
• Advanced Skill Level (6-8 years 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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As World War I raged in Europe, the US Army found itself in need of a modern artillery piece should America decide to become involved. The French 75mm Modele 1897 was the best candidate and is widely considered by historians to be the first modern cannon. It was the first to be fitted with a hydropneumatic recoil mechanism, which meant it could be fired and reloaded without having to reposition the gun. When America entered the war, the US Army adopted the French design for it’s field artillery batteries, and fielded more than 1900 guns by the war’s end. Domestic production began in spring of 1918, but most guns used during the war were French manufactured. The M1897 again saw service in World War II, with many being exported to Great Britain under lend-lease agreements, and others being adapted to anti-tank guns.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The American 75mm M1897 Field Gun has the following features

• Gun details include seats for two crewmen, raisable lower gun shield and collapsable hand spike
• Includes two custom printed WWI American Infantry minifigures
• 2 exclusive prototype BrickArms M1903 Springfield Rifles with Bayonets
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Over-all color is new dark gray
• Includes 59 genuine new-condition LEGO®, BrickArms®
• Sophomore Skill Level (2-4 years 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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This Brickmania™ exclusive minifigure features artwork based on the 1917 Service Wool Tunic, 1917 Service Wool Breeches, puttees, 1917 Pershing AEF Boot, M1910 Cartridge Belt, M1907 Cartridge Belt Suspenders.

Additionally, this figure uses only genuine LEGO® and BrickArms® Elements with custom printing done in house at Brickmania’s HQ in Minneapolis, MN.

This WWI US Rifleman features exclusive custom-printed artwork designed by Lando.

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

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About the M1917 155mm GPF:

One of the solutions to trench warfare was the development of long-range field guns. Among the many designs, the French developed the Canon de 155mm GPF (Grande Puissance Filloux) field gun. This dependable and effective weapon became the standard French field gun through the end of World War II. The gun was so successful, the American military bought several during the Great War and copied the design, known as the Model 1918.

Weighing 28,660 pounds, this gun had to be transported by either animal or tractor. It also needed to be crewed by a minimum of eight soldiers. The heavy weight and large crew was justified with its impressive twelve-mile range. Designed by French Colonel L.J.F Filloux, the gun was put into service almost immediately after the completion of its design, providing an effective solution to the field gun shortage experienced by the French army at the beginning of the Great War.

Specifications:

• Total units: 475
• Crew: 8
• Length: 6.5 meters (21.33 feet)
• Weight: 14 tons (28,660 pounds)
• Range: 12 miles

Additional information about this Brickmania custom building kit:

The M1917 155mm GPF comes with the following features

• Designed by Daniel Siskind
• Gun features an opening breech, deployable split trails, and realistic elevation and traverse functions
• Towing limber included
• Includes two custom printed WWI French Artillerymen
• Contains 275 genuine new-condition LEGO® & Brickmania & BrickArms elements
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Intermediate Skill Level (4-6 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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Preview:

Another very important crewman a starship can’t do with out is the honored position of Navigator. It’s the starship Navigators responsibility to project a steady and safe course through treacherous solar systems, asteroid belts, nebuli, and dreaded space debris. Using the ships navigational sensors, the Navigator is able to determine the ships position velocity and direction, as well as the position speed and trajectory of other objects. The starship navigator carries the added responsibility of weapons officer and science officer, and plays a key role in the success of a starships mission.

This Starship Navigator features exclusive custom-printed artwork designed by John Canepa.

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

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Fighting undead uprisings? Who has time for secret experiments when you can get your hands on a Mystery Crate and the Wonder Weapon inside.

Includes custom-printed BrickArms crate, exclusive double over-molded Wunderwaffe DG-2BA weapon from BrickArms, over-molded Divinium ammo and vials for the weapon, and a custom-printed Zombie head.

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The most decorated Marine in US history, Lewis “Chesty” Puller was known for his no-nonsense attitude. A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Chesty is often credited with several memorable quotes regarding military operations. Legend has it that upon being shown the flamethrower for the first time, he asked “Where do you put the bayonet?”

This custom Brickmania minifigure was designed by Lando with artwork based on the M1943 Field Jacket with Unofficial USMC Stamp, M1943 Field Trousers, M1943 Combat Service Boots, M1936 OD Pistol Belt, 1941 USMC suspenders, M1916 Holster, M1923 .45 pistol mag pouch, and M1910 Canteen Cover.

This Chesty Puller features exclusive custom-printed artwork designed by Lando.

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

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We have just released the Brickmania Elite Membership for the upcoming 2018 calendar year. This membership has multiple perks, many of which are incredible! Perhaps the most well-known benefit to signing up for the membership is the 10% off all orders for 2018. Order yours today and get ready to save.

Brickmania 2018 Calendar

The 2018 Brickmania Calendar includes 13 full-color actions scenes of our models. It features standard government and military holidays, important dates in Brickmania history, and a bonus month, January 2019 to keep you rolling into the new year!