BOX FACTS

SERIES :

Major Packs

FIRST YEAR OF PRODUCTION :

1959

BOX TYPES :

B, C, D, E

SIZES AVAILABLE :

159 X 38 X 37, 157 X 42 X 52, 157 X 39 X 39

TOTAL VARIATIONS :

6

NUMBER OF MAJOR VARIATIONS :

6

 

 

 

 

 

GENERAL INFO

Released in every box type possible for the Major Packs range, the 3A Tank Carrier is one fun model to collect boxes from. First, it was packaged in a B1 box, with the truck carrying a tank that is facing rear, while the turret is facing front! Lesney corrected that on the second B box they made, this time a B4 box that shows the tank facing front correctly. The whole model is a bit higher in the picture and clouds have a different configuration as well. The whole illustration is noticeably different as the model is also depicts differently. To add to the situation, the second variation has a different front/back, as one side as the left cloud going under “MATCHBOX” and the rear portion of the model is also closer to the right cloud.

The C box reprised the last B box made. So it also has different back and front.

There are two D box variations: a large one and a smaller one. The large box has the model facing right while the smaller box has it facing left.

Finally, an E1 box was made, showing the model on the battlefield, with another Centurion truck in the background. Soldiers are also part of this nice illustration.

RARITY

The first B box is rarer than the second one. But the rarest box for this model is the smallest D box.

VARIATION LIST

MP3A - THORNEYCROFT ANTAR/CENTURION TANK

 

 

Front/Back

#

Type/Sub-type

Size

Top/Bottom

End Flap

Variation #

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\Major Packs\MP-3a-B Box Rear.jpg

(Larger Cab, Yellow Wheels on Cab and Trailer, Centurion Tank Facing Rear)

 

1

B1

159 X 38 X 37

Blue with yellow outlined black rectangle

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

MP-03A-B1-1a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\Major Packs\MP-3a-B Box Front.jpg

(Smaller Cab, Red Wheels and Yellow Tires on Cab and Trailer, Centurion Tank Facing Front)

 

2

B4

Graphical user interface Description automatically generated

MP-03A-B4-2a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\Major Packs\MP-3a-C Box.jpg

(Smaller Cab, Red Wheels and Yellow Tires on Cab and Trailer, Centurion Tank Facing Front)

 

3

C

MP-03A-C-1a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\Major Packs\MP-3a-D Box Right.jpg

(Green Transporter and Tank, facing right)

4

D

157 X 42 X 52

Blue/ Black

A picture containing shape Description automatically generated

MP-03A-D-1a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\Major Packs\MP-3a-D Box Left.jpg

(Green Transporter and Tank, facing left)

 

 

5

157 X 39 X 39

A picture containing calendar Description automatically generated

MP-03A-D-2a

C:\Users\Patrice\Documents\Pictures\Images\Matchbox Images\Matchbox\VintageLesneyOnTheWeb\NewVintageLesneyOnline2006\images\Major Packs\MP-3a-E Box.jpg

(Green Transporter and Tank in Battlefield Scene, "TANK TRANSPORTER AN CENTURION MARK III TANK" on Front)

 

6

E

157 X 42 X 52

Blue / Blue

Diagram Description automatically generated

MP-03A-E1-1a