NOTE: Purchase through November 23rd for discounted pre-order price!

The M3 37mm Anti-Tank gun was the US military’s standard anti-tank weapon at the beginning of World War II. Being powerful enough to penetrate the armor of just about all but the heaviest pre-war tanks, the M3 was liked because of its small size and portability. While it would soon be rendered obsolute by advances of armor technology in Europe, the M3 was still used by US forces in the Pacific theater until the war’s end. The M3 was a popular weapon with the Marine Corps because it could be man-handled into position without heavy equipment and was small enough to be towed behind a Jeep. We have created this kit based on standard US Marines equipment at the beginning of World War II. It includes a Willys Jeep, M3 Anti-Tank Gun and two US Marines with early war gear (before the M1942 helmet and M1 Garand Rifle were to become standard issue).

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit

The Jeep and M3 37mm Anti-Tank Gun Battle Pack has the following features:

• A complete “Durabuilder” Jeep kit
• M3 37 mm Anti-Tank gun exclusive to the Battle Pack at time of release
• Two 1941 US Marines minifigs with printed torso and weapons from BrickArms
• Sturdy construction for active play
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models.
• Includes 164 genuine new-condition LEGO bricks elements
• Sophomore Skill Level (2-4 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

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

WWII Russian Soldier

By popular request we are making additional troops available for immediate defense of Mother Russia. These hearty troops come equipped with a warm fur BrickArms Ushanka hat and a fabric cloak to ward of the bitter winds on the Russian steppes. We recommend outfitting your new Russian patriots with a BrickArms PPSH submachine gun, a TT-33 pistol, and a Combat Knife.

WWII US Marine (by BrickArms)

We have a few leftover BrickArms US Marines from our November releases. These are genuine BrickArms-printed US Marine torsos, with web gear, canteen and backpack imprinted on them. Includes a BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmet. We recommend arming your Marine with with a M1 Carbine (Full Stock), M1911 Pistol and a Combat Knife “K-Bar.”

We made a special order of the new Citizen Bricks WW2 US Marines Minifigs to coincide with our upcoming Pacific Theater kits. These figures are fully pad printed, and outfitted with a BrickArms M1 Carbine FS Rifle and BrickArms M1 Steel Pot helmet.

This is what 1000 US Marines minifigs looks like!

We’re just completed a new batch of our P-51 Mustang kit in “Red Tails” livery of the famed 332nd Fighter Group. (click image to order)

The paint is just barely dry on this new batch of M1 37mm anti-tank guns, arriving just in time to bolster the US Marines offensive in the Pacific! (click image to order)

The M2 Light Tank devopled during the 1930′s for the US Army and was largely a test bed for several different design concepts. The M2A4 was the final iteration of the M2 light tank and it had a single turret armed with a 37mm anti-tank gun and coaxal .30 cal machine gun. It was also armed with four additional .30 caliber machine guns in varius locations. The M2A4 formed the pattern for what would evelove into the M3/M5 Stuart light tank, which went into mass production shortly before the outbreak of World War II. By the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, the M2 was largely regulated to training purposes. However, some US Marine units sent to Guadalcanal still had M2A4s in their inventory, where they performed admirably next to M3s during the hard-fought campaign to capture and hold the island.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

Features of this model:

• Fully articulated tracks
• Rotating turret and poseable gun
• Opening commander’s hatch (figure not included)
• 1/35 scale matches other Brickmania models
• The over-all color scheme of this model is dark gray

This Brickmania model kit is made from genuine, unused LEGO bricks and is shipped disassembled. Also included are full-color printed building instructions and is packaged in a sealed box.

All Brickmania building kits are limited production and may be discontinued at any time.

We’ve set up the WW2 Pacific diorama for this weekend Home & Builder’s Show in duluth, MN. Another 30 inches of landscape has been added since the last event and this includes first of many Japanese bunkers I’m plan to add. There are still hundreds of hours more work to be done until this is considered finished, but here are some more photos of the work so far.

Brickmania is proud to announce the next release in our Pacific Islands Campaign series!  And for a limited time it is now available with two bonus US Marines minifigs from Citizen Brick!

About the LVT-4 Amtrac:

The LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) was designed in response to an urgent need to provide mobile support vehicles to bring in the cargo equipment needed ashore during the Pacific island hopping campaign envisioned by US strategists for the defeat of Japan. The LVT was essentially a boat that could crawl on land using caterpiller tracks like a tank. Early LVTs were not armored, being intended mainly for the tansport of cargo. Experience during combat would show that the LVT was ideally suited for carrying combat troops directlyto shore, especially where coral reefs prevented boats from from being effective in this task. Design improvements soo followed and fire support variants and armor kits would soon be introduced. The LVT-4 was a decendant of the earlier LVT cargo transports, but had significant improvements, most noteably a ramp at the rear so that troops and cargo could be discharged directly onto the beach (rather than over the sides of the earlier versions) . Many LVT-4s were fitted with armor kits over the crew compartment and were generally fitted with 2-4 machine guns to provide suppressive fire onto the beach.  The LVT-4 could carry as many as 30 combat equipped troops, cargo and supplies, an artillery piece, or even a 1/4 ton 4×4 JEEP.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The LVT-4 kit has the following features:

• Fully articulated tractor treads
• Two opening hatches on the crew compartment (two figures can be seated inside)
• Opening ramp at the rear of the hill.
• Cargo area big enough for many figures or a Brickmania “Durabuilder” JEEP
• Includes two BrickArms M1919 machine guns
• Sturdy construction for active play
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models.
• Includes 640 genuine new-condition LEGO bricks and BrickArms elements
• Comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity
• Intermediate Skill Level (4-6 years experience with LEGO is recommended)
• LIMITED EDITION BONUS PACK includes two custom-printed US Marines mini-figures from Citizen Brick

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks and this one includes compatable weapons by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled and includes completed printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. Check out the gallery below for more images of the LVT-4 kit from Brickmania.

Recommended as a “must-read” World War II book, Helmet for My Pillow has been an unchecked box on reading list for quite some time. Subtitled “From Parris Island to the Pacific“, it follows the wartime experiences of Robert Leckie,who signed up for the US Marines the day after the Pearl Harbor attack.  This is the “other” book from which the story of HBO’s miniseries The Pacific was based on (along with E.B. Sledge’s With the Old Breed).

Robert Leckie’s (“Lucky”) story begins with the creation and training of the First Marine Corps Division on Parris Island, SC in early 1942, and ends in a ferocious barrage of Japanese mortar shells on the island of Peleliu in September 1944— where the author received grave injuries bad enough to be sent home.  The initial baptism of fire for the First Marine Division occurred during the early desperate fighting on Guadalcanal—America’s first offensive campaign of the Pacific war.  After the deprivations suffered in Guadalcanal (desperate enemy attacks, starvation and jungle diseases), the division is sent to Melbourne, Australia, for rest and recuperation. After a respite from combat, they are thrust into the cauldron once again at Cape Gloucester, New Britain. After another period of R and R, the survivors and replacements of the First Marine Division was sent to take the tiny Island of Peleliu—a battle that was supposed to be a walkover, but turned out to be one of the bloodiest battles of the war, ultimately ending in American victory, but at a terrible cost to the First Marines.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book is that it details such immense historical events strictly from the unprivileged point of view of the lowest foot soldiers. A common theme throughout the book is stark inequality between the enlisted men and the officers: the injustices endured by the expendable at the bidding of the sheltered elite.  Another interesting aspect of this book is the great depth in which the author explores the philosophical significance behind the story. It’s not just a recanting of a series of events, but the author shares a piece of his psyche during the narrative, adding a very personal intensity to the narrative. The last few pages about Peleliu are very intense, with the list of characters dead and wounded falling like hammer blows. If found this book to be worthy of the vast lists of accolades it has won and easily among the best first-hand World War II narratives.

Up next:

Hell’s Guest by Col. Glenn D. Frazier

Recent Additions to Brickmania’s Reference Library:

• SdKfz 231/234 8-rad: 8 X 8 Armored Car (Military Vehicles in Detail, Vol. 2)
• Puma/and Other German Heavy Reconnaissance Vehicles
• German Tanks of World War II
• WWII U.S. Sherman Tank in Action – Armor No. 48
• M48A3 in Vietnam in Action – Armor No. 46
• Tanks of Hitler’s Eastern Allies 1941-45 (New Vanguard)

We set up the newly expanded diorama today at BrickFair New England in Manchester, NH. It will be on display through Sunday afternoon.  Thanks to all the helpful folks that lent a hand setting it up!  You may be able to spot some of the new over-molded Japanese prototype weapons from BrickArms in some of the pictures.  Enjoy…

The M31 ARV (Armored Recovery Vehicle or Tank Recovery Vehicle) was designed to fulfill the urgent need to recover disabled tanks from the battle field for safe repairs away from the front lines. The M31 was based on the M3 “Lee” Medium Tank. It’s armaments were removed and it’s 37mm AT gun turret was fitted with a 30 ton crane.  Extra tool boxes, towing equipment, etc. were strapped all over the outside of the vehicle. Dummy guns were also added to disguise the nature of the vehicle, as ARV’s were a primary target for enemy anti-tank teams.  The M31 was usually considered the most valuable possession of a tank company, because forward tank units depended on repairing disabled vehicles rather than receive replacements from the rear. The M31 served in all theaters of combat in World War II by the US and Allies.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

This Brickmania custom kit is only being offered as an exclusive reward for helping to launch the Brickmania Track Links™ on Kickstarter. All photos are shown using LEGO Technic track links, which will be replaced with the more realistic Brickmania Track Links when the kit is delivered. The only way to order this kit now s to pledge now for delivery when the new tracks are ready (we are aiming for sometime in July).  Your opportunity to own one of these kits ends Saturday Jun 8, at 12:25pm CDT.

M31 with double-wide Brickmania Track Links™

The M13 ARV kit has the following features:

• Realistic boom crane that can be posed in a variety of ways.
• Two custom pad-printed tanker minifigs
• Two stocked tools bins with opening lids
• Six opening hatches for the crew plus opening engine compartment doors
• Easy separating lower / upper hulls for access to the semi-detailed interior
• Built to the same 1/35 scale as other Brickmania kits
• Includes 684 new condition elements from LEGO and Brickmania
• Comes with signed and number certificate of authenticity
• Intermediate Skill Level (4-6 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks and this one includes compatable weapons by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled and includes completed printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box.

More Images of the M31 ARV

The M7 Priest was the answer to the US military’s need for reliable, mobile artillery support for it’s armored units. It replaced the deficient T-19 HMC, which was an M3 halftrack converted to carry the 105mm howitzer and used with poor results in North Africa. Based on the  rugged M3 Lee tank chassis, the M7 Priest proved to be a huge success and a played crucial part in the Allied victory in western Europe. Many M7′s were also shipped to the Pacific campaign, where they played a significant role in the battle for Okinawa. Many M7s and M7B1 (the later version based on the M4A3 Sherman chassis) soldiered on into the Korean War. The nickname “Priest” is derived from the pulpit-like mounting of the M2HB machine gun.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

This Brickmania custom kit is only being offered as an exclusive reward for helping to launch the Brickmania Track Links™ on Kickstarter. All photos are shown using LEGO Technic track links, which will be replaced with the more realistic Brickmania Track Links when the kit is delivered. The only way to order this kit now s to pledge now for delivery when the new tracks are ready (we are aiming for sometime in July).  Your opportunity to own one of these kits ends Saturday Jun 8, at 12:25pm CDT.

M7 Priest equipped with double-wide Brickmania Track Links™

The M7 Priest kit has the following features:

• Fully elevating M2A1 howitzer
• Five custom pad-printed tank corps. minifigs
• Two stocked tools bins with opening lids
• 10 hand-injected BrickArms artillery shells.
• Easy separating lower / upper hulls for access to the semi-detailed interior
• Built to the same 1/35 scale as other Brickmania kits
• Includes 715 new condition elements from LEGO, BrickArms and Brickmania
• Comes with signed and number certificate of authenticity
• Intermediate Skill Level (4-6 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks and this one includes compatable weapons by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled and includes completed printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box.

More Images of the M7 Priest

We have just received a batch of beautifully custom pad-printed Russian soldier torsos from Citizen Brick and have assembled some soldiers to help protect Mother Russia! Available for a limited time. These come with a BrickArms helmet but you’ll have to pick out your own weapons. May we recommend the BrickArms PPSh, TT-33 or DP-28?

We have also received restocks of the following:

World War II US Army Ranger
World War II US Marine
World War II German Infantry

Another batch of 37mm Anti-tank Guns is now ready for immediate shipping. This was the main US anti-tank artillery piece issued to US Army and US Marines at the onset of World War II. They were quickly rendered ineffective against the more heavily armored tanks in the European Theater before they could even be brought into use. However, their compact design and relatively light weight made this an ideally suited to the  the Pacific campaigns, against lightly armored Japanese vehicles, small fortifications and “Banzai” charges. The M1 37mm Anti-Tank gun was the only such weapon small enough to be towed behind a jeep. ORDER HERE.

We also have another batch of M1A1 Howitzers fresh off the assembly line. This light howitzer we designed for use by Airborne troops but is often also associated with Marine Corps campaigns of World War II. This compact weapon could be towed  behind a jeep or dismantled into sections and carried by pack animals. ORDER HERE.

We Have 15 Kits for Under $25!

It’s common for people to receive sticker shock after seeing the prices on some of our premium edition kits. Brickmania does in fact make a large selection of kits designed for smaller budgets. Right now we have 15 kits in stock for $25 or less and  11 kits for $15 or less.  While that Tiger tank may be out of your budget, we do have a good supply of lower priced kits in stock today and more budget-friendly designs in the works. Check out some value priced kits HERE.

With the release of the DUKW, Brickmania’s line of WW2 amphibious vehicles will be one step closer to completion. The first batch of DUKWs is expect to be available next week at Brickfair Virginia. This monstrous vehicle is over 33 studs long and 9 studs wide, and weighs over 3/4 of a pound! It can handily hold a Brickmania Durabuilder Jeep in the cargo bay and has room for two minifigures in the cabin. Just like the real thing, Brickmania’s 1/35 scale DUKW was a durable vehicle, capable of moving large amounts of cargo on land and at seas (well, ours may not swim as well as the real thing). Here are some additional views of the DUKW…

This kit has great customization potential, with possible attachment of an A-frame hoist, cargo bay cover and/or machine gun mount. Watch this blog for photos of DUKW in action on our display at Brickfair Virigina next week. If you can’t be there to buy one in person, DUKWs should be available to the rest of the world shortly thereafter.  The DUKW as shown at top (no minifigs) has an MSRP of $165.

PRESS RELEASE

Brickmania will be visiting Charleston, WV from August 30th to September 3rd to display a Peleliu Invasion diorama, built using over 500,000 LEGO® bricks. The display will be set up in the tank deck of the World War II veteran landing ship LST 325 for the duration of her visit to Charleston.

Photo by Doug Heimstead

Brickmania’s display includes a 10-foot-long 1/35th scale LST model, featuring disembarking boats, tanks and Marines for the World War II battle for the South Pacific island of Peleliu.  The display measures 5 x 24′ and includes many other iconic military machines that took part in the battle: Sherman tanks, LVT and DUKW amphibious vehicles, Higgins Boats, Corsair fighter planes as well as several hundred custom mini figures depicting US Marines and Imperial Japanese Army troops. The display has traveled to several events across North America where it has attracted a lot of attention at each stop. (Check out coverage at Gizmodo)

Photo by Doug Heimstead

The LST 325 took part in several actions during World War II, including the D-Day landing at Normandy, will be in Charleston, WV from August 30 to September 3rd and open for visitors and tours from 9am to 5pm each day. LST 325 will be docked at Haddad Riverfront Park (across from the Ramada Hotel, 600 Kanawha Blvd East, Charleston, WV 25301).

Photo by Doug Heimstead

Brickmania makes historic military building kits using LEGO® building bricks. We will have a small store on site stocked with our building kits and a selection of BrickArms™ custom weapons for your LEGO figures. While our primary medium is genuine LEGO bricks, we are in no way officially connected or endorsed by The LEGO Company.

Recent Media Coverage of Brickmania’s LST Display

• Evansville Courier & Press
• 14 News, Evansville
• ABC 57, South Bend
• Gizmodo Feature
• Wish TV 8
• Beyond the Brick
• MOCStars

The LVT (Landing Vehicle Tracked) was designed to to fulfill the role of mobile support vehicles for bringing cargo and equipment ashore during the Pacific island hopping campaign envisioned by US strategists for the defeat of Japan. The LVT was essentially a boat while in water, but could also crawl on land using caterpiller tracks like a tank. Early LVTs were not armored, being intended mainly for the tansport of cargo. Experience during combat operations would show that the LVT was ideally suited for carrying combat troops directly to shore, especially where coral reefs prevented boats from from being effective in this task. Design improvements soon followed and fire support variants and armor kits would soon be introduced. The LVT-4 was a decendant of the earlier LVT cargo transports, but had significant improvements, most noteably a ramp at the rear so that troops and cargo could be discharged directly onto the beach (rather than over the sides of the earlier versions) . Many LVT-4s were fitted with armor kits over the crew compartment and were generally fitted with 2-4 machine guns to provide suppressive fire onto the beach.  The LVT-4 could carry as many as 30 combat equipped troops, cargo and supplies, an artillery piece, or even a 1/4 ton 4×4 JEEP.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The LVT-4 kit has the following features:

• Fully articulated tractor treads
• Two opening hatches on the crew compartment (two figures can be seated inside)
• Opening ramp at the rear of the hill.
• Cargo area big enough for many figures or a Brickmania “Durabuilder” JEEP
• Has mounting pintles for up to 4x BrickArms M1919 or M2HB machine guns
• Sturdy construction for active play
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models.
• Includes 634 genuine new-condition LEGO bricks and BrickArms elements
• Includes custom-printed WW2 US Marine minifig
• Comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity
• Intermediate Skill Level (4-6 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks and this one includes compatable weapons by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled and includes completed printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited edition kit and priduction may be discontinued at any time.

 Building Idea

To make the fully outfitted LVT-4 shown above, you will need to additionall purchase the following:

• 2 x BrickArms M2HB
• 2 x BrickArms M1919
• 2 x BrickArms Monopods (Brown)
• 4 x Citizen Brick WW2 US Marines

More LVT-4 Pictures

We have another production run of M2A4 Light Tank kits hot of the assembly line. The M2A4 was the precursor to what was later standardized as the M3 Stuart light tank. The US Marines were the only Allied forces to be equipped with the M2A4 in combat, seeing action during the Gaudalcanal campaign. To underscore this unique connection we are including a Marine tank commander in each kit. Click here for more information or to order.

Check out the M2A4 image gallery below:

The M4A2 was a diesel powered variant of the famous M4 Sherman tank, used exclusively by the US Marines during World War II. Armed with a 75mm cannon, the Sherman was the ideal close-up fire support platform, as the Marines dug out entrenched defenders in their island-hoping campaign to towards victory against Japan. The US Marines fitted their Sherman tanks with fording kits for the amphibious landings that each island assault would require (they would usually be partially removed once the tank has reached dry ground). In this case we have fitted the M4A2 with the unique drum-style fording kits used the US Marines’ 3rd Tank Battalion. Also included in the kit is a complete dry-transfer decal set for US Marines 3rd Tank Battalion from Archer Dry Transfers.  Click the image above for more information or to order.

More Images of the M4A2

Brickmania is proud to release this new version of the M1 37mm Anti-Tank bundled with two custom pad-printed US Marines minifigures.