This is the first kit in our 2014 Battle of the Bulge theme. A preview batch of 50 kits will be released exclusively at Brickmania.com and no others will be available until 2014. Includes a German soldier custom pad-printed by Citizen Brick.

Our second in a pair of US Navy Seabees bulldozer kits, this time based on the Caterpillar D8 tractor with a LeTourneau cable blade. This is a much bigger and beefier tractor to back up the M1 Light Tractor released a short while ago. Includes a custom pad-printed Seabee minifig from Brickmania.

We also have three new holiday ornaments of which only 25 copies of each will be available on the web site:

None of these kit will be available from our resellers in 2013. Be ready with your fingers on the order keys because these are going to sell fast!

Brickmania has been partnering with local LEGO & train enthusiasts to release custom train holiday ornaments since 2009. We are introducing three new designs for 2013 and they will only be available for a limited time.

A holiday ornament based on the Pennsylvania Railroad’s famous Pacific series of passenger train locomotives. This has a particular local connection to Brickmania, because one of the real Pacific locomotives was on display for decades at the Como Zoo in St Paul and is currently under restoration at the Jackson Street Roundhouse.

Blue Locomotive: A holiday ornament based on a 0-6-0 European tank engine.

Green Locomotive: A holiday ornament based on a 0-4-0 European tank engine.

During World War II the US military had a great need for construction equipment and turned to the best manufacturers in the civilian market. The Caterpillar Company provided a wide range of construction equipment for the US Army and Navy needs, with the D-8 being the heaviest tractor available. The D-8 was mainly used by the US Navy construction battalions (Seabees) for such projects as airfield and forward base construction. At least eight examples of the D-8 have been documented on D-Day at Normandy beach, having been used to clear obstructions placed by the Germans to impede Allied attacks. This model is dressed in US Navy haze gray color and equipped with a LeTourneau cable dozer blade. This is a much bigger and beefier tractor to back up the M1 Light Tractor kit we released a short while ago.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The Heavy Tractor kit has the following features:

• Two rows of fully articulated Lego chain link treads
• Working cable winch to raise and lower the dozer blade
• Includes custom pad-printed US Navy Seabee minifigure
• Includes BrickArms M1 Carbine and M1 Steel Pot Helmet
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Includes 329 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)

All Brickmania model kits are made of new-condition LEGO bricks and this one includes compatible accessories by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled and includes complete full color printed building instructions, signed certificate of authenticity, and comes packaged in a sealed box.

One of the most anticipated new Brickmania kits, of which only 50 will be available before the holidays, sold exclusively through Brickmania.com!

The German military developed a series of highly-mobile 8-wheeled armored vehicles during World War II. The SdKfz 234/2 “Puma” was designed to be a fast scout vehicle that combined the good mobility of the 8-wheeled platform, with the same 5cm long-barrel anti-tank gun of the Panzer III tank. While less than 100 Puma’s were made before the war’s end, it is widely regarded as the finest scout vehicle fielded by any army during the conflict.

The Puma is being released as the lead model of Brickmania’s Battle of the Bulge series of kits of 2014, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. This was the biggest battle ever fought by the United States military in any conflict, and was the deciding battle of the Europe’s Western Front in World War II. We plan to release an entire Battle of the Bulge series of kits and minifigures in 2014. This will also be the theme behind Brickmania Elite group activities planned for selected Lego events in 2014.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The SdKfz 234/2 Puma kit has the following features:

• Fully rotating turret with elevating main gun assembly
• Opening commander’s hatch
• Custom pad-printed German army soldier from Citizen Brick
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Includes 304 genuine new-condition LEGO bricks and BrickArms elements
• Comes with a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity
• Sophomore Skill Level (2-4 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

Brickmania is sponsoring several LEGO displays around the Twin Cities throughout the holiday season. This includes a special holiday display at the Brickmania Toyworks during our open house events through December, plus the following additional events and locations:

Landmark Center, Saint Paul, November 30, 4-6pm — the Landmark Center will be officially opening its outdoor skating rink and celebrating inside with their annual Winter Courtyard party. We will have the TCLTC’s LEGO Landmark Center and LEGO holiday village with working lights and a trolley on display. We will also have bricks to play with and gift-sized LEGO and Brickmania sets for sale. Directly following the event will be the official Christmas Tree lighting ceremony, across the street in Rice Park.

Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum, Saint Paul, Saturday Evenings from 6-9pm, November 30-February 28th — “Night Trains Season comes to the dozens of model railroad layouts in a magical way, the lights are turned down, the buildings and street lights glow warmly, setting the scene for specially lighted models of vintage passenger trains.” The TCLTC has built a special layout designed for low-light viewing that will be on display at the TCMRM through February. This is a display not to miss!

Minnesota Transportation Museums / Jackson Street Roundhouse, Saint Paul, December 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 10am - 4pm — ”Before Santa skirts the rooftops in his sleigh, he’ll stop by the Jackson Street Roundhouse in his very own full size luxury train! Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, tell him what you want for Christmas (you don’t have to be a kid to share your secret with Santa!), get your photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus, check out interactive model railroad layouts by the Greater Midwest Lego Train Club and the New Brighton Connection Model RR Club, make some cool kids crafts, enjoy music, entertainment, refreshments, and of course, unlimited train rides.”

Great RiverCenter Train Show, Saint Paul, December 28-29 — “We hereby announce the formulation of Choo Choo Bob’s GREAT RiverCentre Train Show, a two-day train extravaganza at the RiverCentre in St. Paul. This one-of-a-kind train festival is to be held on December 28th and 29th, 2013, and will feature two full days of live performances by Choo Choo Bob and the Holy Smokestacks Revue, tons of incredible layouts from model railroading clubs, a formidable lineup of hobby vendors, free inflatables and ride-on train for the kids, plus all kinds of discounted goodies from Choo Choo Bob’s Train Store. All aboard!

Special Words of Appreciation
Brickmania would like to extend a special thanks to Brickstuff, who have been our gracious co-sponsor and provider of LEGO compatible lighting for all of these events. Brickstuff will have a table at our December 7th and 21st open houses, with all the supplies need to light up your LEGO creations.

First word of advise – don’t wait until the last minute!  Not only will you have a better selection by ordering earlier, you will save tons on shipping and have your items delivered on time! While we usually get all packages to the post office on the same or next business day the order is placed, heavier seasonal volume may cause an additional 1-2 days delay in processing. We’ll make every attempt to keep up on orders, but can’t guarantee every order will be shipped the same day or even the next business day. Weekends are the busiest times for us, so your order placed on Sunday may not make it out until Tuesday. Keep that in mind and plan head. Here is a link to the US Postal Service official Holiday Mailing Deadlines, but past experience suggests you treat it with some skepticism!

Domestic Shipping

Our default shipping method is by First Class US Mail for packages weighing 13 ounces or less, and Priority Mail for heavier packages. This generally takes 2-5 business days for your package to be delivered anywhere in the continental USA, longer to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, etc. The US Postal Service does not deliver on Sunday and holidays.

Domestic UPS

If you would like to have more control over delivery date and better tracking information, we do offer several UPS options. Our UPS pickup comes in the late afternoon, so if you place an order for Next Day Air delivery at 5pm, it will not go out until the following business day. UPS does not delivery on Saturday, Sunday and most major holidays. These days also do not count against your guaranteed delivery date. For example, if we ship a Next Day Air on Friday, it will be delivered on Monday. Second Day are shipped Friday will be delivered on Tuesday, etc.

International

Our two default shipping options for international shipments are Economy (maximum 4 pounds) and Priority. While Economy is supposed to be airmail service, we have found it may take as long as eight weeks to reach certain countries. While we are supplied with tracking numbers for international packages, we are not able to track packages beyond the point of departure from the USA (Chicago). Canadian Customers: If you order with Economy shipping, don’t expect any packages shipped in December to arrive before Christmas. Priority Mail packages to Canada may be subject to delays up to 10 business days for customs clearance.

International UPS

We do offer UPS options for international customers. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for all taxes and fees levied by your local Customs agency. Some countries like Canada will also make you pay a bond fee for your customs clearance. This is not something we are able to pre-pay on our end and you will have to pay these fees upon delivery. UPS is very fast and reliable but it is going to cost you more for the service.

Brickmania will be back at Cantigny Park for the NILTC‘s annual LEGO Train Show on December 14-15th. We take over the entire visitors center with massive LEGO displays and invite some of the best vendors from across the country. Admission is free and the $5 parking fee is waived with a donation for Toys 4 Tots. See you there!

“One of two (known) specially modified MH-60s used in the raid on Osama bin Laden’s hideout in Pakistan on 1 May 2011 was damaged in a hard landing, and was subsequently destroyed by U.S. forces. Subsequent reports state that the Black Hawk destroyed was a previously unconfirmed, but rumored, modification of the design with reduced noise signature and stealth technology. The modifications are said to add several hundred pounds to the base helicopter including edge alignment panels, special coatings and anti-radar treatments for the windshields.”

–Wikipedia

Brickmania can not confirm or deny that this helicopter is real, but we can confirm this is a sweet kit!

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The Steal Black Hawk has the following features:

• Finished model measures over 20 inches in length
• Free spinning main and tail rotors and plus posable horizontal stabilizer
• 4 x minifigures with LEGO flak vests and BrickArms weapons
• Has two retractable attachment points for BrickArms Miniguns (not included)
• Includes two repelling ropes for minifigures
• Main rotor is pre-configured for motorization (extra parts not included)
• Built to the same 1/35 scale as other Brickmania kits
• Includes special stand that can be reconfigured for the display pose of your choosing
• Includes 895 new condition elements from Lego and BrickArms
• Includes special screen printed display plaque signed and number by master designer Daniel Siskind
• Comes with signed and number certificate of authenticity
• Advanced Skill Level (6-8 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

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

This kit is strictly limited to just 50 copies.

More images…

1. Brickmania Holiday Ornaments

Brickmania has a long standing tradition of making holiday ornaments and trains have been a popular theme over the last few years. This year we have three new locomotive ornaments available, plus a couple returning favorites from previous years, and all for $18 or less! If you thought Brickmania is only about tanks and helicopters then think again! Click here to see them all.

2. TrickSack Playmat/Storage Bag

Brickmania is now stocking TrickSack playmats/storage bags. The 36″ TrickSack storage bag is on sale for $24.99 and will hold several gallons of LEGO bricks. Lay it out on the floor for play and just pull the cord for easy clean up. Click here to see all the TrickSack storage solutions.

3. Brickmania Building Wearables

Brickmania’s pullover hooded sweatshirt will keep you warm during the cold winter months and is on sale for just $25. If sweating is not your thing, then we have seven awesome T-shirts for just $10 each. Everyone looks better building in Brickmania’s wearables. Try one on for yourself and you’ll agree!  Check ‘em out here.

4. Brickmania Gift Certificate

Don’t know if your little general wanted an M16 from an AK47?  M4 Sherman or M4 Carbine? How about you eliminate the guesswork and give a Brickmania Gift Certificate! They can be made out in any amount starting at $1 on up to $1000. Click here to order a gift certificate and you can even send it by email! Order a gift certificate here.

5. BrickArms Squad in a Box Packs

Brickmania is the exclusive distributor of the BrickArm’s “Squad in a Box” accessory packs. This little box contains enough BrickArms accessories to outfit five complete figures plus a custom printed BrickArms crate. Also included is a free bonus set of Roaglaan’s Customs waterside decals for those who dare to make your own custom figures. They come in the following themes: US Army Infantry (WW2), Russian Infantry (WW2), German Infantry (WW2), British Infantry (WW2) and US Army (Vietnam).

6. Minifigure Customization Book

Did we mention making your own custom minifigs? Where does one start? Well we have the ultimate guide just for that, written by Jared K Burkes, one of the best customizers out there! For just $9.95 you can have all the secrets for making your own professional-looking custom minifigs! We also have tons of Roaglaan’s Customs and Archer Dry Transfers decal packs HERE.

7. BrickArms Reloaded Weapons

Looking for an extra cool BrickArms item? We have a limited supply of over molded and prototype weapons in stock. These are generally hand-made by BrickArms creator Will Chapman and are far more rare than standard production BrickArms. Check out our rapidly dwindling stock here

8. Custom Minifigs

Don’t feel like making your own figs? Brickmania is starting to stock more custom minifigs than ever before, including several exclusive designs. Some have custom accessories from top producers like BrickArms and MMCB Capes and most are less than $25. Some even have bulk discounts if you order five or more. Check them all out here.

9. Brickmania Custom LEGO Mini Kits

Brickmania currently has a bunch of World War II minikits for under $25. These are all the same scale as the more expensive Brickmania kits and will work with all of our minifigs and accessories. No these aren’t “LEGO Compatible” because they actually are LEGO bricks! Click here to view all of our Minikits.

10. BrickArms Zombie Defense Pack 2014

Zombies!! ZOMBIES! BrickArms has just released their latest 2014 Zombie Defense Pack and it’s been the hit of the season!  Includes everything your minifigs will need to defend themselves during the impending Zombie Apocalypse. Even includes a “puff ink” printed Zombie head for your trophy wall! Click here to see all of the exciting BrickArms packs – all priced under $25!

Each year we re-release very limited batch of one or two “classic” Brickmania kits. We recently stumbled across as cache of the figures used in the original kit, which developed into the idea of a limited re-release. The over-all color scheme of this vehicle is the old dark gray color that LEGO discontinued in 2004. The bricks that make up these kits are in as close to new condition as we could obtain—most pulled from our own stash of never-been-used bricks. The packaging and instructions are identical to the original version released in July 2010. Only 120 of the original “old” dark gray kits were released before production changed over to the “new” dark gray bricks just a few months later.

The M8 Light Armored Car was an American made reconnaissance vehicle and tank destroyer made by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. It is a 6×6 wheeled vehicle, with a crew of four and armed with a 37mm anti-tank gun mounted on a central turret. While they were generally considered under-armed against German tanks, and were reported to have poor off-road handling, they were superbly suited as fast reconnaissance vehicles on the roads of Western Europe. The M8 also saw duty in the Pacific theater, where their 37mm guns could easily knock out more lightly armored Japanese tanks. M8′s in British service were referred to as the Greyhound, which has become universally synonymous with the M8 in modern times. Only 20 kits were made in this batch, which is likely to be the last one ever!

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The M8 “Greyhound” 6×6 Light Armored Scout Car has the following features:

• Fully rotating turret with elevating main gun assembly
• Opening hatches for the drivers’ and engine compartments
• 4x LEGO minifugres with BrickArms M1 Steel Pot Helmets
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models
• Includes 351 genuine new-condition LEGO bricks and BrickArms elements
• Over-all color scheme is the same old dark gray color of the original Brickmania kits
• 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 compatible accessories by BrickArms. This model comes disassembled and includes complete full color printed building instructions, signed certificate of authenticity, and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited edition kit and no further production is planned.

This is the BrickArms Zombie Defense Pack plus a BrickArms Reloaded series overmolded M16 randomly supplied in one of the following color combinations:

• Gunmetal and black
• OD green and black
• Tan and black
• Dark tan and black
• White and black

The walking dead still roam the earth, so make sure your figs are prepared with the BrickArms Zombie Defense Pack 2014, the ultimate kit for the minifig zombie apocalypse!

With a variety of weaponry all proven to the most effective in combating zombies, the BrickArms Zombie Defense Pack 2014 is what your figs need to survive!

Includes these 19 accessories:

• Black M16
• Black Combat SMG
• Black Cricket Bat
• Black Machete
• Black Magnum Revolver
• Black Longslide
• Black M23 SOCOM
• Black Spy Pistol
• Black Sawed off Shotgun
• Black M1911
• Black M16-DBR
• Black PSR
• Gunmetal Lever-Action Rifle
• Brown SABR Shotgun
• Brown Bat
• Silver Combat Knife
• Silver Machete
• SPECIAL Sand-green zombie head printed with puffy ink!

Brickmania is pleased to release our first ever kit based on the American Civil War: M1857 Napoleon Gun with “Johnny Rebel” Confederate soldier.

The M1857 was one of the most common field artillery pieces used by both sides during the American Civil War. It was a smooth bore cannon, fired a 12-pound projectile and was typically moved by a train of six horses. It’s four main types of ammunition consisted of solid shot (aka the cannon ball), explosive shell,  shrapnel (or “case” ammunition) and canister anti-personnel rounds. It’s safety, reliability and deadly firepower earned the M1857 a great deal of respect by the troops that used it.

Additional information about this Brickmania custom Lego® kit:

The M1857 Napoleon has the following features:

• Large wheels for ease of movement
• Includes water bucket and two rammers
• Has towing eye on the end of the tail
• 1/35 scale to match other Brickmania models.
• Includes 42 genuine new-condition LEGO elements
• Sophomore Skill Level (2-4 years experience with LEGO is recommended)

This model comes disassembled and includes complete printed building instructions and comes packaged in a sealed box. This is a limited edition kit and priduction may be discontinued at any time.

Bonus Edition:

This special edition includes “Johnny Rebel” Confederate soldier minifig armed with a BrickArms Musket and Bayonet.

Finished US Tankers Custom Minifigs

Hello supporters!

I’m happy to report that full production of Brickmania Track Links started this week and already about half of the initial run has been completed. At the end of next week I will be heading out to our production facility to personally oversee delivery of the first complete batch Track Links.  Everything else is already finished or will be finished before the tracks arrive. Our plan is to seal kits, bag up parts and ship out all of the backer awards during the week of December 16th-20th. I can’t promise delivery before Christmas, but it’s certainly going to be close!

Thanks again for your support and your patience!

Dan

P.S. Brickmania Track Links will be available to the general public as soon we have fulfilled our obligations to our Kickstarter supporters.

We’ve been busy decking the halls in anticipation of a splendid open house tomorrow at Brickmania Toyworks. The tree has been trimmed, new displays are set up and we’re been polishing the place from top to bottom. We’ve even set up a scavenger hunt where participants who complete the hunt will be eligible to enter a raffle for free LEGO!

The TCLTC has installed a completely new holidays in the cities display with bold ice castle, winter activities,  the Polar Express and more. Many of the buildings and vehicles are lit up thanks to generous help from BrickStuff, who will also be selling their LEGO-compatible lighting kits on site tomorrow.

The Brickmania crew has begun work on a new Battle of the Bulge themed diorama and we have put a preview section on display in the Toyworks. The Battle of the Bulge took place Belgium and Luxembourg during December-January 1944 and was the largest battle ever fought by the United States. Next year is the 70th anniversary and we’re going to be featuring it prominently in our traveling displays and upcoming product releases.

We’ve begun the process of cleaning and updating some of the older displays at Brickmania Toyworks. You will see a lot of improvements and additions going into the Toyworks as we try to bring everything up to the next level… and don’t forget to look up, because we’ve started hanging airplanes!

HOLIDAY GIFTS GALORE!

The Brickmania store is bursting at the seams with a huge variety of official LEGO sets and minifigures, Brickmania custom LEGO kits, BrickArms custom accessories, and more. On the December 7th open house we will also have several special guest vendors:

BrickStuff - maker of wickedly cool lighting system for your LEGO creations

Scrappy Products – maker of the most incredibly cool bags and totes made from recycled materials

iHeartBricks – maker of clothes and crafts for kids of all ages with LEGO on the brain

We will also have a limited supply of the stunning hardwood cutting boards made by our friends down the hall at Butcher Block Furniture Inc. 

Why bother fighting the crowds at the mall when the most awesome stuff is right here at Brickmania Toyworks!

Our hours are 10-4pm on December 7th. We will also be open on December 14th and 21st for additional open house dates. For direction or more information visit http://brickmaniatoys.com/open-house/

We have just completed a new batch of the German light armored halftrack SdKfz 250 “Neu” kits. This the late war version (“Neu” = new) and was used in a variety of roles, including an armored scout vehicle, personnel carrier, prime mover for towed anti-tank guns, small howitzers, etc.

Towing PaK 36 AT Gun (not included with the kit)

The T-26 was the most common tank in the Soviet Union’s arsenal at the outbreak of World War II. Based on a 1920′s vintage design, it had first seen combat with the Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War, where it’s powerful gun and thick armor proved superior to the German armor being used by Franco’s fascists forces.  Crews of Soviet T-26s fought bravely during the Second World War, but it was quickly outclassed by advances in Axis armor and tactics. The Light tank concept eventually fell out of favor by the Soviet leadership, who preferred to put their resources into the mass manufacture of heavier designs such as the KV-1 and T-34.

We have updated this popular Vietnam War-era Battle Pack and brought it back into production for a limited time. The Battle Pack includes:

• M25A2 6×6 “Deuce and a Half” Truck
• M102 Howitzer
• M332 Ammunition Trailer
• 2x Vietnam War era minifigs

Click either image for more information or to order!

Tan “Durabuilder Humvee” is now back (click image for info or to order)

Dark Gray “Durabuilder Humvee” is now back too (click image for info or to order)

We also have modern combat soldier Minifigs

We’re finishing up a single batch of 25 today! All orders for this kit placed Friday through Sunday will be shipped on Monday, December 16th (and should arrive at US destinations before Christmas, weather delays notwithstanding).

A limited edition Battle Pack featuring a complete German World War II Pak 38 50mm Anti-tank gun unit.

Battle Pack Includes:

• Complete Brickmania Sd.Kfz 10 kit
• Complete Brickmania Pak 38 Kit (Not available for sale separately) including a BrickArms “proto” artillery shell with dark gray warhead
• 6 custom pad-printed German army minifigs
• 6 BrickArms weapons (4 x K98, 2 x MP40)

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  Battle Pack is limited to only 25 copies.

We’re finishing up the new batch today! All orders for this kit placed Friday through Sunday will be shipped on Monday, December 16th (and should arrive at US destinations before Christmas, weather delays notwithstanding).

Due to parts scarcity, we’re ending production of the M3A2 Halftrack with one final batch. On the positive side we’re including the new BrickArms M2HB machine gun and a custom pad-printed US Armored Infantry officer minifig. Click either image for more information or to order.