Question on PW Helicopter

I have removed and installed those tail sections a fair number of times, and do not recall having anything break. I also cannot think of a time I saw a helicopter body with the tail opening damaged. Usually the damage to the body is around the bubble.

Still the plastic is only getting older, and probably more brittle.

It will be interesting to see what others say.

Is the tail a known original, or purchased off the bay?

Thanks for the feedback C.W.

I was able to finesse it out without any problems and replaced it, good as new.

The plastic of the old rotor was still pretty pliable in spite of the years passed.  I have seen a couple of these helicopters with reproduction tail rotors where there was cracks at the cavity where the tail rotor snaps in, which I surmised was from the notable effort involved to getting the old rotor to release due to the locking tabs. 

Since the copter is original and in really good condition and had an intact original replacement tail rotor, I was trying to make sure I didn't break anything in the process due to the tremendously snug fit.  As I said it was successful but I was definitely nervous during the process. 

As far as I can tell the replacement is original ("Built by Lionel" molded into the bottom of the tail).

Well I see you got it in with no problem. The reason I asked, A well known parts dealer has "original" tail sections for sale, and has 'built by Lionel' (but the font is slightly different)on them. But they are from new production Helicopters but the new ones are a larger diameter and will not fit in a postwar helicopter and if it is forced it will crack the rear tail section of the helicopter. Guess how I know.

Chuck,

Interesting to know, I know about the repro tails being oversized somewhat, never came across any that had the Built By Lionel inscription on them, but on the other hand I haven't dealt with these that much.  Pulling the old one out was infinitely more difficult that putting the new one end, I can tell you that much!

Off subject Chuck, do you happen to have any lamps & contact springs for a 395 floodlight tower?

Seems the bolded section is common with a lot of dealers. It's disappointing paying a premium for old stock and getting new repro instead.

John, yes.

 The helicopter tails I spoke of are from Lionel. They are from the Celebration Series 3419 Helicopter. But the tail at least has been re-tooled and slightly larger diameter and will not fit until the rear fuselage has been filed to fit the tail. It is disappointing to pay a premium price for a newly made part. (that doesn't fit).

As far as I know, the reproduction helicopter tails that were made by Chicago Line fit fine. These tail pieces do not have the Lionel name on them. I believe there was a period when they went by the name "Parts for Collectors".
I am told that Smitty purchased the molds, and has run the helicopters.

Some of those helicopters have an "R" on the underside, but others don't. Explanations on how to tell an original from a Chicago Line reproduction have been published.

It is interesting to learn that a modern era tail section will not fit a postwar helicopter. I have noticed that many modern era parts are slightly different than their postwar counterparts. I wonder whether the difference is intentional.