REVIEW: BrickArms MAAWS, Artillery Shells and Warheads

[WhiteFang]

Hello everyone,

2012 BrickArms MAAWS, Artillery Shells and Warheads

It's really great to be back to share with all of you, a brand new releasing highlights in the field of LEGO Customisation on the military aspect. Brought to you by the one of the leading Minifigures Customisation Manufacturer, BrickArms who designed and developed these, I bring you the BrickArms 2012: MAAWS, Artillery Shells and Warheads experience.

Presenting the new BrickArms 2012 MAAWS pack

The BrickArms 2012 MAAWS pack was released in March 2012. So far, all of the BrickArms re-sellers only carry the black version, while for the gunmetal version, I am actually glad to be given the honour by Will Chapman and the enigma that is badger to be given an exclusive preview to review the unreleased MAAWS gunmetal version. I do believe that BrickArms is planning to release the gunmetal version somewhere in the very near future. I will leave it to the BrickArms to plan for the official release.

Viewing the content of the 2 different types of MAAWS packaging

As you can see, each of the package comes with a main zip-lock bag and 2 additional small ones to hold the rounds and ammunition, and the other one which holds the main weapon system. Each package is sold as a set and the packaging for the zip-lock bag is of a high-grade quality which can be firm and pretty lasting than those typical zip-lock bags.

From the 2 images below, you will be able to view the complete layout of the MAAWS coated with 'Black' and 'Gunmetal' finishing. The rounds are also different in colours. The black version came in multiple colours to identify for its different usage, whereas the gunmetal version is simply marked with the same colouring and you could only identify the usage based on the shape. So, which type of rounds do you like best?

MAAWS coated with 'Black' finishing

MAAWS coated with 'Gunmetal' finishing

Different types of BrickArms Artillery Shells and Warheads

There are 3 main types of BrickArms Artillery Shells and Warheads. As you can see the image above, the red warhead is meant for 'HEAT' and it refers to High Explosive Anti Tank. By positioning the explosives in an inverted cone, the explosive effect will be funnel into a very tight spot that burns and melts through tank armour.

The blue warhead is known as 'HEDP' and it means High Explosive anti-tank warhead. Instead of burns and melts through tank armour, it relies on extreme pressure to penetrate the tank armour.

The last green warhead is known as 'Kinetic'. Judging by the term 'kinetic', it refers to an energy of force and to effectively use the warhead, it must have used lots of kinetic energy and high speed to launch the projectile. All of which have to be coupled together with the given shell casings before arming it.

MAAWS (Multi-Purpose Anti-Armour Weapons System)

The MAAWS is known as the Multi-Purpose Anti-Armour Weapons System which is designed to be portable and lightweight for special group of solders like the commandos, guards, etc to be given this weapon in a section level movement. It is used to take down those incoming enemy tanks who think they are safe behind that armour-plated shield. But, they are wrong to assume that way especially when there are various kind of warheads to bring the heat across to them. The MAAWS is made up of a launch tube and a venturi exhaust.

Side view of the MAAWS

Taking aim

I am strong enough to march with my one arm

Load and Ready, Sir!

Can you see the round loaded inside the chamber before it is place to ready?

Can you see the difference?

In this image, you can see that once the round is loaded, it can't be see through unlike the other empty chamber.

The German Troopers are ready to bring their new weapons to take down the escaped prisoner

Can our beloved Indiana Jones survive?

To conclude, I am very pleased to use this new anti-tank weapon system to take down those enemy tanks. I could only relate to the MATADOR weapon since it is used in my country. So, I could relate this BrickArms weapon together for this purpose and the objective is to take down, if not stall enemy convey movement. I enjoyed placing different rounds for different purposes and creating a small chaotic scene like in this Indiana Jones chase. Those Indiana Jones sets made a fine military scenario and BrickArms weapons add lots of nice touch and enhance the playing experience with superb enjoyment. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to showcase the usage of artillery shells and the launch of the warhead from the MAAWS, but I am sure you are able to figure it out and add it to your fun when you have a chance to own it.

Pictures can be found in My Flickr and Brickshelf folder (when moderated).

[lakuda]

For me Indiana Jones are best Lego series ever but this is worst Brickarms weapon created ever. The review is made professionally.

Edited May 15, 2012 by lakuda

[CMP]

Pretty cool. I was very close to ordering one of these in my last order, but I couldn't get over the color of the warheads. The artillery shell piece, though, is very, very nice. I hope the gunmetal version is released soon. On another note, I sort of wish there was an eyepiece on the side for the fig to see through, although it would kind of mess up the uses this piece has.

Edited May 15, 2012 by CallMePieOrDie

[the enigma that is badger]

Another great review, White Fang! Like always, thorough, fair, and supplemented with amazing photography.

Pretty cool. I was very close to ordering one of these in my last order, but I couldn't get over the color of the warheads . . . I hope the gunmetal version is released soon

Will definitely plans to make the artillery warheads available in a variety of colors, including the Gunmetal edition pack pictured above. Is there any particular color you'd most like to see in the future?

Edited May 15, 2012 by the enigma that is badger

[CMP]

It would be nice to see them in Titanium, it's a very attractive color.

[the enigma that is badger]

It would be nice to see them in Titanium, it's a very attractive color.

I definitely agree Titanium is an great color, and I can certainly see where Titanium warheads would be useful. I'll forward your suggestion to Will!

[WhiteFang]

For me Indiana Jones are best Lego series ever but this is worst Brickarms weapon created ever. The review is made professionally.

Thanks! Indiana Jones sets are very enjoyable to play with. Regarding your comment on the BA weapon, perhaps you could like to offer constructive thoughts to share your insights with BrickArms by providing them relevant feedback.

Another great review, White Fang! Like always, thorough, fair, and supplemented with amazing photography.

Thanks Badger. Always a pleasure to see great quality products from BrickArms.

It would be nice to see them in Titanium, it's a very attractive color.

I agrees!

[Laura Beinbrech]

I'm definitely going to add one or two of these baddies when I get around to placing my order for about 50 U-Clips (seriously can't have enough of those). It looks like the shells should fit into the breech I designed for my 76mm field guns (basically two 1x2 technic bricks with the holes lined up), and the empty shells would make a nice pile of spent shell casings for dioramas...