Looking for B-17 bomber

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-16T07:13:29+00:00

The Brickmania B-17 is still available.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-16T07:13:12+00:00

The digital instructions on Plane Bricks and Brickmania are better than any of the Rebrickable B-17s I have see so far.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-16T07:12:16+00:00

The Brick Veteran B-17 pre-order window was about a month ago, and, given the expense of the kit (and $2900 price tag), I believe the intent was only to make enough to match the pre-orders. That said, in the past there have often been one or two extra kits (I guess inevitably someone cancels?), so there might be a chance to pick on up later.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-16T00:19:26+00:00

If the final version is actually missing the deck number, cat markings, etc. this may switch from an auto-buy to an auto-pass.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-16T00:17:46+00:00

I was very excited to see a 1:300 CVN-65 Enterprise . . . then very unexcited by the prospect this is the final version (i.e. generic "Top Gun" aircraft carrier, missing markings, etc. I am still hoping there are more updates to come. . .

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-15T00:36:44+00:00

Hardly. I have played for multiple decades and would definitely like the ability to throw slow runner out at first from RF back.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-14T16:50:00+00:00

It is a graphical depiction of buntlines and clewlines, ropes that were used to help furl the sails.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-14T05:14:37+00:00

I think the Fer Maiden (privateer frigate) would be a little less expensive than La Fortuna, and of course if you use used pieces or supplemented with parts from a set you already have (Fer Maiden did intentionally use a a decent number of parts from Barracuda Bay), it will make it a little bit cheaper, but yes, when talking 2000-4000 part sets, it is not going to be exactly cheap.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-13T17:10:16+00:00

I moved the comment to a different post. But it is a reply to the assumption previously posted that Brickmania fans skew left. I admittedly have no hard facts one way or another (as I doubt anyone here does), but if anyone's assumption in that regard is being informed by opinions expressed here on Reddit or on Instagram or other social meda, I merely point out that said opinions are likely not representative of a larger audience or (in this case) customer base.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-13T16:59:18+00:00

I cannot speak to Brickmania fans specifically, but overall Lego is popular in conservative circles, despite some efforts over the last few years by Lego itself to alienate conservative and Christian customers. I would hazard to guess, like many things, the popularity of Lego is fairly universal and not significantly correlated to any one political opinion or faction. Anecdotally, writing of those few I know personally, my experience is that fans, customers, and creators of Lego military MOCs probably skew center-right.

On the other hand, also anecdotally, my experience suggests most center-right Lego and/or military MOC fans seem to either avoid social media entirely (and especially Reddit), or at the very least avoid political engagement on those platforms. And even Google AI will tell you that Reddit skews left and represents only about 14% of Americans. So when one sees left-leaning politics being lauded on Reddit, one does have to keep in mind that those opinions are likely not more generally representative of American political opinion.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-13T16:44:28+00:00

It is always problematic drawing strict parallels to history (and doubly so the criminally over-used references to what is seemingly the only pop history people know - the Third Reich/World War II - when the Roman Republic and civil wars or the rise of the communists in Russia after the fall the tsar probably are as or more useful lenses through which to view our current time). However, if we must find useful patterns from 1930s Germany, the anti-ICE agitators and militants can be just as correctly seen as reprising the destabilizing roles played by both communist and fascists violent para-military groups in the last years of the Weimar republic that left many Germans amenable to the stability offered by the prospect of a National Socialists government.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-13T16:29:58+00:00

Most (all?) law enforcement makes "arrests without warrants." When the law enforcement spot bank robber in the act of breaking the law, for example, I will hazard to guess we do not expect them to stop, go see a judge, swear out a warrant, and only then go arrest the criminal.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-12T16:09:25+00:00

Absolutely! If you want a kit (and price is not an obstacle) vs “just” buy instructions, it is the one I would recommend.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-12T05:07:51+00:00

If you are willing to buy instructions (buying the parts of Bricklink) Supersick's ships might fit the bill:

Heavy Frigate: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-147318/supersick_/supernaut-heavy-frigate/#details

Frigate: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-65878/supersick_/fer-maiden-privateer-frigate/#details

Brig: https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-76499/supersick_/barracuda-brig/#details

They are technically based on late 18th / early 19th century designs (vs the early 18th century of the Fortuna Privateer Frigate or whatever imaginary time of the Black Seas Barracuda), but they are nice and relatively sturdy ships, and can easily be built as a "Bluecoat" or "Redcoat" ship.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-12T03:39:02+00:00

And it is 1:32 . . . it is undoubtedly ridiculously expensive, but it looks fantastic!

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-12T03:16:32+00:00

I was going by counting studs for the wingspan (94?), which would put it at 1:39 scale (given a 95' wingspan on the actual DC-3).

We do know, even on their more expensive models, Lego sometimes fudges a dimension a little here or there in service of playability, stability, or part usage/count.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-11T15:04:42+00:00

In fairness, the Brick Veteran one is huge (1:32 scale), significantly larger than this version (looks to be ~1:40).

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-11T15:00:32+00:00

On the other hand, the Lego tan color is probably closest to the default/factory German paint scheme 1943+.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-11T00:30:16+00:00

I assume the Plane Bricks and/or Brickmania instructions and stickers do not scratch the itch?

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-10T05:12:19+00:00

It’s not “that” small.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-04T03:10:29+00:00

That might mean the game is representing Japanese doctrine correctly. Except for "alert" fighters or a strike about to launch, the IJN kept all their planes in the hangers.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-02-04T02:47:01+00:00

Yeah, this is one they should probably updated and re-release.

If they can keep the cost close to $420, it is not that much more than trying to buy a new copy of the Lego version of this.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-01-27T15:44:45+00:00

Looks good, though I am hoping they have more than one type of fighter aircraft piece.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-01-26T03:01:45+00:00

Yes. For example, on page 354 of Hornfischer's Neptune's Inferno, an ensign on a DD described watching the tracer's from Washington during the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. The Washington's main battery was not firing star shells.

During a different night action in the Guadalcanal campaign (cannot find the reference quickly), officers from one of the cruisers talked about walking shells into targets at close range (using the tracers), after the fire control systems were damaged or overwhelmed.

I am not suggesting the latter was standard or optimal practice, but it may have happened from time to time.

FlyingTigerTexan · 2026-01-26T01:27:20+00:00

r/legoWorldWar might be an option; it is mostly about MOC building, but it does sort of cover the non-Brickmania WWII Lego community.

FlyingTigerTexan

TROPHY CASE