The Helicopter Launching Car No. 3419 was available from 1959 until 1965, was produced on a 3419-30 chassis, and came with early AAR trucks equipped with disc couplers. This car would release the helicopter with the use of a No. 6019 or USC uncoupling track section after it had been wound manually.

There are two known instruction sheets issued for this car. The first was numbered 3419-43 and was issued in 10-59. It used DARK BLUE ink on WHITE paper. We’ve illustrated the front page of this sheet below. The second issue was a smaller fold out sheet that was dated 6-60 that was listed under the number 3419-51. This sheet used BLACK ink on WHITE paper.

Early cars would have a larger 2 inch winder mechanism and later cars would have a 1-3/8 inch winder. There are many types of helicopters issued that would work with this car and they are easily substituted. See the Helicopter Type chart for details.

There are six known variations:

Variation A: First issue with blackened mechanism and release lever. Came with large winder and the car is molded in ROYAL BLUE and carried a Type A helicopter.

Variation B: Identical to Variation A except the launching mechanism and release lever are brightly plated. Used a Type B helicopter. This is the most common version of this car.

Variation C: Has the smaller 1-3/8 inch winder, manual release lever is below the frame protruding out of the side instead of through the top of the chassis. Carried a Type B helicopter, but the car is the same color as the previous variations. Produced in 1960.

Variation D: Same as Variation C except the car is molded in a LIGHT BLUE color. An uncommon color.

Variation E: Same as Variation C except the car is molded in an AQUA BLUE color which is lighter and paler that Variation D. A rare variation.

Variation F: Same as Variation E except the car is molded in a dark blue and is almost PURPLE in color.

Note that the helicopters have been reproduced.