3665 Minuteman Car

[proactive]

Quick note on some 3665 repair

I recently purchased a couple of Minuteman cars for my layout.  A common problem seems to be that the missle comes up but does not lauch.  I found that the problem is in the diaphram.  Open the diaphram and stretch the spring out a bit equally, just a little, making sure you don't pull it too much in one area.  I reassembled the diaphram and the missles come up nicly and lauch once the doors open.

[phillyreading]

I had a missle launching car and one of the main problems is that the part that holds the missle does not come up high enuff to fire. The other problem I had was the missle fell apart, the wings would fall off after several years.

Lee F.

[rlplionel]

I like to keep the 3665, and other missile launching cars with rubber diaphrams, stored in the after-launch open position when not in use. Keeping the diaphram fully extended in the open position makes for a stronger launch the next time it is compressed.

Regarding the broken missile wings, I guess that is why there are so many replacement missiles available from parts dealers.

[proactive]

I also keep the missle raised when not in use on all the missle cars.  Also I use a replacement missle and keep the original ones put away to keep its value.  I also found a place on the web and bought a new diaphragm for my Missle Launch car for $1.00.  I have a replacement satellite for the launching car for my kids to play with.  Now that is a cool car!

[proactive]

Its the same problem with the Missle Launching car.  If you remove the clip on the bottom of the car, and take off the missle housing you will see a rubber diaphragm.  It looks kind of like a plunger.  If its broken, replace it, if it's not broken take it apart and stretch the spring a bit.  This will make the part that holds the missle come up all the way since its the diaphragm that pushes it up.

[jimsandman]

I agree the Satellite launch car is great play value. I modified mine to launch from the CAB1 (TMCC) with a Mini-Commander from electric RR. The modification also requires a center rail pickup, and a coil/firing pin used on the Lionel Coal/Log dump cars.

Works great! I can launch satelittes from a moving car now.

Jim