45 USMC Mobile Missile Launcher

Production:  1960 - 1962

History
The USMC Mobile Missile Launcher is an unusual-looking locomotive and is based solely upon the imagination of Lionel designers. This motorized unit does not have a real-life equivalent and is considered to be part of Lionel's "Space & Military" series. Other than the color and number, the #45 is the same as the # 44 United States Army Mobile Missile Launcher introduced in 1959.

As with many items from the Space & Military series, there are delicate parts that are prone to damage due to improper handling. For example, the delicate front end and the ten side steps -- two on each front corner & three on each rear corner -- are easily broken. Additionally, the paint is prone to chipping or flaking and locating one in collectable condition is difficult.

Features
The USMC Mobile Missile Launcher includes the following standard features: olive-painted body, white lettering, gray missile launcher, blue rubberized man at the control panel, magnetraction, three-position E-unit, red light on roof plus a non-operating die-cast coupler on one end.

The gray missile launcher is manually operated. This locomotive included four white simulated missiles which have a firing range of a couple of feet.

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