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Space & Military Cars
| This Web Page Last Updated: August 23, 2026 |
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This page contains our current inventory of cars that were part of the postwar Lionel "Space & Military" series. Included here are those specialized rolling stock items (both operating & non-operating AND both real & fictitious) that were created to stimulate the imaginations of children regarding space exploration and the needs of the armed forces of the United States. Note that military motive power is located on our Diesels, Electrics & Small Motorized Units web page, military-type cabooses are located on our Cabooses web page and space & military accessories are located on our Accessories web page.
* * * Click on "Yes" in the Photo column to see a picture.
The 1950's and 1960's were marked by the "race to
space" and the creation of "world superpowers" -- specifically the United States and the
Soviet Union.
Lionel created an extensive line of interesting
pieces to keep pace with current events of that era: the world's desire for exploring outer
space -- the "last frontier" -- and the need for strong national defense systems in light of
the Cold War.
Any layout will be enhanced with
either a space exploration theme or one involving the creation of an action-packed and patriotic
operation involving Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps equipment.
* * * Click on "Grade" in the 3rd column heading for an explanation of grading.
Postwar Lionel Space & Military Cars Catalog # Item Grade Photo Price Description & More Information 44
Mobile
Missile
Launcher ===>
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Click here to go to our Diesels, Electrics & Motorized Units Page to read about a
good-looking, boxed U.S. Army Mobile Missile Launcher from 1959-62.
299
Code
Transmitter
Set ===>
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Need to communicate your military operations in code? If so, we have the perfect accessory to do that.
Click here to go to our Accessories Page to read about a working Code Transmitter Set from 1961-63.
943
Exploding
Ammo Dump ===>
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Need some action on your layout?
Click here to go to our Accessories Page to read about
a clever accessory from the "Space & Military" series: a very clean Ammunition Dump from 1959-61.
3470 Aerial Target Launching Car
E++/OB
Yes
$160
The Aerial Target Launching Car from 1962-64: has a royal-blue molded frame with a white superstructure with red heat-stamped lettering plus a dark-blue removable basket. Has early AAR trucks with operating couplers. Version with a light-gray plastic nozzle on the blower.
Photo of the other side.
The superstructure contains a mechanism which includes a battery holder (for two D-size batteries), a squirrel cage blower with its motor and an exhaust nozzle. The "Coanda Effect" provides the action which is an inflated balloon that is kept hovering about an inch above the basket as the train moves. The balloon sits in the basket if the train is stopped with the blower turned off.
Two "aerial" views.
The car is completely intact and very, very clean with gorgeous lettering. Tested and the motor does work!.
Has the original instruction sheet #3470-8, dated 8/62. One guidebook describes how the original balloons are usually found: [they] "soften and deteriorate with age so, even when new, they are found in a gooey heap and can no longer be used." True to form, the original balloons are missing and a package of four reproduction balloons is provided.
Photo of the original instruction sheet and the package of reproduction balloons.
Photo of the box.
Grade 7 original box (one end flap is a little faded; tears; creases; scrapes; writing; discoloration from a black marker; lots of tape inside; glue residue).
Another view of the box.
Lots of imperfections but the box is fairly clean, complete, square and sturdy! It will protect the car in shipping and in storage.
Two more views of the box.
We have not had a 3470 for almost ten years! It is an interesting car in a rather hard box to find!
3535 AEC
Security Car E+++/OB
Yes
$210
Interesting piece from 1961 designed to serve as an end car (caboose) on a military train: essentially a black flatcar with an unpainted-red cab (similar style to the 520 boxcab electric) plus a rotating searchlight and roof-mounted, twin anti-aircraft guns. Has white heat-stamped lettering on the cab and early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
Photo of the other side.
A very, very clean car with nice white lettering. The searchlight and guns are all original AND all mounting tabs are intact on the cab! A sharp-looking car plus it lights and the searchlight revolves properly.
An "aerial" view.
Photo of the box.
Grade 8 original box (tears; creases; scuffs). The box is solid: clean, complete, square and sturdy plus there is no tape anywhere!
Another view of the box.
This car is from the "Space and Military Series" and was produced in 1960 and 1961 but the "Picture" box helps to date this one as a 1961 piece.
Two more views of the box.
The 3535 is a difficult item to find intact but this one is sharp and it's in a nice box! It is also a perfect piece for a layout with a military theme!
Our Archives Page: more information on 3535 AEC Security Cars.
3665 Minuteman
Boxcar E+/OB
Yes
$ 75
The operating missile launching Strategic Air Command Boxcar from 1961-64:
Photo of the car.
Has an unpainted white body with red and blue, heat-stamped lettering and early AAR trucks with operating couplers.
Photo of the other side with the roof open and the car in launch mode.
ORIGINAL, dark-blue, 2-part roof (all tabs intact) and the ORIGINAL, red, white and blue missile (rocket) -- some burrs but it is completely intact with the original blue tip!
Photo of both ends of the car.
A great-looking car with minimal flaws: very clean with nice graphics and the mechanism does work!
Photo of the roof and the rocket.
Has the original instruction sheet #3665-23, dated 6/61 (stains & creases).
Photo of the instruction sheet.
Photo of the box.
Grade 6 original box (one end flap is not original to this box; tears; creases; tape; discoloration from tape removal; glue residue).
Another view of the box.
Some flaws but this box is fairly clean, square and sturdy!
A third view of the box.
A sharp car that offers some "play value" -- this car can be operated manually or automatically using a remote control track section.
Still not sure if you are going to like this car? A popular magazine rated the 3665 as one of the TOP 10 Postwar Lionel models from the Space & Military Line -- calling it ". . . a must for any space and military collection!" See page 47 of the March, 2014 issue of the magazine "Classic Toy Trains" for their complete review.
6463 Rocket Fuel
Tank Car E+/OB
Yes
$ 75
The only tank car from the "Space and Military Series:" a 2-dome tank car painted snow white with red rubber-stamped lettering & graphics plus a chemically-blackened frame. It is the version from 1962 with early AAR trucks and two operating couplers.
Photo of the other side.
The frame has some minor surface rust and that's about it for flaws! The car is completely intact and very clean with very, very nice lettering.
Two "aerial" views.
Photo of the box.
Grade 6 original box (scrape on one end flap probably due to the removal of a price sticker; tears; creases; stains; tape inside; glue residue).
Another view of the box.
Even with the flaws, this box is decent as it is clean, complete, square and sturdy!
Two more views of the box.
We have not had many boxed 6463 tank cars for sale over the years as the box is rather scarce due to the fact that most of the 6463 tank cars came unboxed in sets and relatively few were sold separately.
Our Archives Page: more information on 6463 Rocket Fuel Tank Cars.
(6824
-50) First Aid
Medical Car ===>
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Need something to bring up the rear of your military train?
Click here to go to our Caboose Page
to read about a good-looking and very uncommon caboose -- an unused, uncatalogued Sears Rescue Caboose with a BLACK frame.
6844 Missile
Carrying Car Load:
E+++
Car:
E+++
OB Yes
$225
A black flatcar with missiles from 1959-60: has a gray superstructure and white heat-stamped lettering plus early AAR trucks with operating couplers. Version with lower frame rail extensions. Comes with six original white missiles.
Photo of the other side.
Car is very, very clean with gorgeous lettering and nice, shiny truck rivets! Has the original rack with all pins intact!
Photo of the missiles and an "aerial" view of the car.
Photo of the box.
Grade 7 original box (tears; creases; punctures; panel partially separated; tape inside).
Another view of the box.
Some flaws but the box is clean, complete, fairly square and sturdy!
Photo of the front of the box.
Only the third 6844 box we have ever had -- it is a very, very hard box to find!
Photo of the back of the box.
A scarce car with a very rare box! Lionel created this car to serve as a companion car to the numerous missile launching cars in the "Space & Military" line. It is not an easy car to find this nice!
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Space & Military Cars
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