LIONEL MINUTEMAN OPERATING CAR, 61-64 VARIATION (A) MEDIUM BLUE ROOF

The Minuteman Car No. 3665 was another fanciful creation by Lionel’s designers that may have been based on an actual Air Force launching system that was never developed. Made from 1961 through 1964, Lionel modified the No. 3530 GM Generator Box Car so that the roof was divided into to two sections that would open and a missile would fire with the use of a No. 6019 or UCS uncoupling track section. It was equipped with AAR trucks with disc couplers.

The Lionel IRBM No. 6650-80 (intermediate range ballistic missile)

Available for separate sale in 1959-60, these missiles were divided into two sections that can be easily separated. Usually colored RED and WHITE these sections of the missile have led to the various combinations that are found today. The only exception is that Lionel never produced these missiles in an all RED color. The rubberized tip of the missile is always a DARK BLUE color, although some RED examples have been found that have been attributed to Madison Hardware.

Reproduction missiles are available, but these missiles are slightly shorter than the original due to shrinkage of the molds, the rubberized tips are not as finely molded, and the tail fins are slightly thicker than the originals.

Lionel packaged these missiles in a thick card stock tube that had an expanded section of tube that fit over the other and had a metal end cap. The individual part number was put on a sticker that adhered to this metal end. This tube with the numbered end cap is required to achieve EX or LN pricing.