[R-390] Lionel J-36

[w9ya]

One other thing to note; The nickel plating on the Lionel's is often
described as 'dull'. It has a distinctive look and is often used by
collectors to immediately indicate the manufacturer even when viewed from a
distance.

Bob
w9ya

On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 10:43 AM, <JRFKE5RI at aol.com> wrote:

> Here is the info you want.  I have one of these without a  label.
>
> John, KE5RI
>
>
> ____________________________________
>
> 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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