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Old 11-05-2005, 09:47 AM
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Phred Phred is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Upstate NY
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I have both the chorme/clipped Quasar and the white non-clipped version.

I compared the white non clipped version to one of my vintage Alpha IIIs, and the parts appear to be identical.

I also examined the clipped fin version: There are very visible mold/parting lines on the fins edges, there are none on the clipped tips. In fact, they actually appear to be clipped.
Looking at the insdie of the nosecone, and through various scratches on the fin can, I can see that the plastic is well, a nasty sorta color I would call 'horn' (kinda like dirty yellow fingernails *Ugh!*) .

I do know that Lionel trains uses 'inserts' in their injection molds. This allows them to make different versions of diesel locomotive cabs, without having to create tooling for each version.
The various versions appear seamless.

My guess is that the Alpa III fin can tooling was produced, and a certain # of fin cans were produced with inserts, an then chromed. One the initial run was used up, the switch was made to white... with a few grays or 'off-white' versions doen in the transition....

Ph
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