LIONEL IRBM ROCKET LAUNCHER, 59-63 VARIATION (A) "6650" STAMPED ON LEFT

The IRBM Launcher Flat Car No. 6650 was produced on a RED molded flat car chassis with WHITE heat stamped lettering. The number is to the left of the "LIONEL" inscription on the sides. This car came with early AAR trucks that have disc couplers. This missile launching car was produced between 1959 and 1963.

The BLUE superstructure has a diaphragm in the counter weight that would gradually raise and lower the BLACK launching ramp. This diaphragm has, in many cases, been hardened with age which inhibits its ability to function. Once the IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile) was loaded into the manually cocked missle rack, pressing the molded BLUE firing button releases the launching rack so that it can be elevated by the diaphragm. By pressing the metal lever at the base of the launcher the missile ramp would raise to between 30 and 45 degrees and the missile is launched. By pressing in the metal lever again the launching ramp would lower.

The Part No. 6650-80 missile has a two-piece sectional body that is RED and WHITE and a DARK BLUE rubberized tip. The two sections of the missile can be separated by gently twisting the two sections. Note that even though an all RED missile could be made by putting these colored sections together, Lionel never produced an all RED missile. Reproduction missiles are a available, however the fins on these missiles are thicker than the original. See No. 3665 Minuteman Box Car for more information about these missiles.

Lionel issued instruction sheet No. 6650-92 with this car. We’ve shown the front page of this instruction sheet below.

There are two variations:

Variation A: Uses chassis mold No. 6424-11.

Variation B: Uses chassis mold No. 6511-2.

This could make a great addition to your collection railroad layout or gift for a friend