I'm getting into Lionel's space and military operating cars and accessories.
The first piece I bought was a modern take on the 3665 Minuteman missile launching boxcar, and it was such a great performer - very reliable and robust.
Though I recently picked up the 3419 helicopter launching car. It wasn't much, and I got a good deal, but I'm very bewildered how utterly erratic it is. The helicopter first time wouldn't take off - all it did was spin it's blades. The second time, it went off the side and broke one of its blades off. The seller told me it was a reproduction copter, so it's not that big of a deal, but it still kind of frustrates me.
I'm aware that Lionel copters came with either two or four blades. I'm not sure if the car is the problem or the copter, or both. The plunger plate sometimes won't release the wound mechanism unless the car moves after the uncoupling track activates it.
Something tells me the plate is too low to the ground, and the blades just don't give the right propulsion to take off like it should (or how I've seen in videos of it in action).
