The Bonanza Airplane Car No. 6500 was available in 1962 and was not numbered. This is one of the few examples of this, which was part of a cost cutting regimen that possessed Lionel during the years 1961-62. Also see: No. 6501 and No. 6502. The main value of this flat car is tied up in the Bonanza aircraft load.
The car, which used a BLACK 6511-2 mold, came with AAR trucks and disc couplers.
The Bonanza airplane has been reproduced, as has the propeller which is frequently found broken. Reproduction propellers do not turn easily, and can be removed, whereas the original issued propeller was locked in place by the fuselage halves and turned easily. This aircraft has s "N2742B" written on one wing, "BONANZA" is printed on both sides of the fuselage, and unlike the No. 6800-60, there are four rivets holding the wing together, and there is a Lionel inscription on the bottom that identifies it as original. This is one of the rare instances, during this period of the Post War Era, where Lionel improved upon a previously issued example.
Lionel issued No. 6500-3 Instruction Sheet about this airplane dated 5-62 that is illustrated below. It is difficult to find this airplane today in unbroken condition.
There are two variations:
Variation A: Airplane has RED color on top.
Variation B: Has the colors on the airplane reversed with the top WHITE and a RED on the bottom. This variation is harder to find.
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