[R-390] Lionel J-36

[JRFKE5RI at aol.com]

Here is the info you want.  I have one of these without a  label.
 
John, KE5RI
 
  
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The Lionel Company 
During World War Two, the Lionel Electric Train Company made thousands of  
copies of the #6 Lightning Bug for the U.S. Army Signal Corps.  Because of  
materials shortages, Lionel had suspended production of electric trains and was  
making small electromechanical devices for the war effort.  Little is known  
about the relationship between Vibroplex and Lionel, but it's very likely that  
Vibroplex loaned Lionel the necessary tooling or at least allowed Lionel to 
copy  it. 
Lionel's bugs were designated the J-36, which was the designation the Signal  
Corps gave any bug.  “J-36” was simply the Signal Corps number for a bug,  
and Lionel was neither the first nor the only manufacturer of the J-36.  
Vibroplex made J-36s, which were simply #6 Lightning Bugs with a Signal Corps  
nameplate.JHB made several types of J-36, including a #6 Lightning Bug clone and  a 
version of their #1 Original style bug. Brooklyn Metal Stamping had made the  
J-36 in the Thirties. The BMS bugs have several novel features. 
 (http://www.la.ca.us/frandy/lj36.jpg) The Lionel J-36 can be identified by  
its nameplate, its distinctive rounded dot paddle, and slightly different  
knurling on the screws. Otherwise it’s a #6 Lightning Bug, and parts are  
interchangeable between the two. The nameplate is the most prominent feature of  the 
Lionel J-36. Long and narrow, it was placed along the left edge near the  
paddle and fastened to the base by five pins.

The Lionel nameplate was  made out of a celluloid-type plastic, and the vast 
majority of Lionel J-36 bugs  lack a nameplate. For one thing, many servicemen 
took their bugs with them when  they were discharged, and removed the 
nameplates at the same time. The Lionel  nameplates that were left have generally 
shrunk badly and many have come loose  and fallen off. If you own a Lionel with a 
nameplate, DO NOT leave it in the  sun, get it hot, or get it wet.  
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