Beaver Models U.S. Navy Helium Car One-of-a-Kind Cars

This car represents the 3rd generation Navy helium tank car built by General American (GATC) in 1942 and 1943. These were purpose-built cars to hold torpedo-shaped storage tanks that held the helium.

Model Info

Gauge:

Introduced:

2024

Product Type:

3D-printed plastic kit

Finish:

unpainted

Wheels:

scale

Couplers:

scale

Decals:

included

Magazine Article:

NASG's The Dispatch, Nov 2024, pg 26 (article describes how Norman Bos built this car)

Supplemental Part:

metal roof walk

Supplemental Part:

alternative trucks that were also used for these cars

Notes:

The company owner states that it takes about 21 hours to print all the parts that make up the kit.

The later-released metal roof walk as extra item made available in 2025.

The photo of this real-world example was taken at a museum near Tomball, Texas (north of Houston) that, unfortunately, went bankrupt. The car's current whereabouts are unknown.

Prototype Helium Operations by Jay Miller