Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Restoring a Lesney Matchbox Major Pack No. M3 Tank Transporter & Centurion Mark III tank, in the Major Pack range from 1959 until 1966.
It's been a while since I've done a military makeover, so where better to head than to the ultimate; the Matchbox Major Pack M3 Tank Transporter and Centurion Mark III Tank. The tank was originally meant for the 1-75 series, but due to the cost of the tooling and rubber tracks, a low loader in the shape of a Thornycroft Antar with Sankey 50 Ton Trailer were developed in order to add it to the more substantial Major Pack range.
Long time channel member Tony sent this one over to me which was missing pieces from the tank, namely the turret and its tracks. The transporter itself was in better condition though it did have some rusty axles and very flaky paint.
The Thornycroft Antar served as the British Army's tank transporter of choice through the 60s, 70s and up to its replacement in the mid-80s. It was designed to carry the Centurion tank which it is teamed with in this set. The Centurion was the Army's main battle tank immediately post war and would also serve into the 1980s.
Help support the channel via Patreon:
patreon.com/DiecastRestos
Or become a YouTube member to get access to unique perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCnejV0mBuRlTcGcnIit2_0A/join
Take a look at the DieCastRestos Instagram page here:
instagram.com/DieCastRestos
If you'd like to send me something, get in touch via email here:
jason.crouch88@gmail.com
Parts source:
model-supplies.co.uk
Music by Karl Casey
@whitebataudio
Hackers
youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4Of3lID84
Existence
youtube.com/watch?v=yXdxsgYpC6U
Iridium
youtube.com/watch?v=oCz7vmVtMHY
Recoil
youtube.com/watch?v=SHgc5L6luvQ
Image credit:
Thornycroft Antar:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Mighty_Antar_Trekker_2.jpg
Hawker Hurricane:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Antwerp_Hawker_Hurricane_OO-HUR_13.jpg/2471px-Antwerp_Hawker_Hurricane_OO-HUR_13.jpg
Avro Lancaster:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Avro_Lancaster_%2852235808528%29.jpg/2560px-Avro_Lancaster_%2852235808528%29.jpg
Supermarine Spitfire:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Spitfire_-_Season_Premiere_Airshow_2018_%28cropped%29.jpg/2560px-Spitfire_-_Season_Premiere_Airshow_2018_%28cropped%29.jpg
Diamond T tank transporter:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/The_British_Army_in_the_United_Kingdom_1939-45_H28811.jpg
Scammell Commander:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Scammell_Commander_52_KB_85.JPG/2560px-Scammell_Commander_52_KB_85.JPG
Triumph Herald:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/1962_Triumph_Herald_1200_Mk_I_Convertible_%2816157005478%29.jpg/2560px-1962_Triumph_Herald_1200_Mk_I_Convertible_%2816157005478%29.jpg
FV432:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/FV432_front_q.jpg
Centurion Mark III:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/A41_Centurion_III_%E2%80%93_IWM_Duxford_%2851294035832%29.jpg/2560px-A41_Centurion_III_%E2%80%93_IWM_Duxford_%2851294035832%29.jpg
Chieftain:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/A_Chieftain_tank_at_Ancaster%2C_Lincolnshire%2C_England.jpg
Outro footage credit:
youtube.com/watch?v=UWuI5qZoaRMx2
#Matchbox #Diecast #Restoration
Restoring a Lesney Matchbox Major Pack No. M3 Tank Transporter & Centurion Mark III tank, in the Major Pack range from 1959 until 1966.
It's been a while since I've done a military makeover, so where better to head than to the ultimate; the Matchbox Major Pack M3 Tank Transporter and Centurion Mark III Tank. The tank was originally meant for the 1-75 series, but due to the cost of the tooling and rubber tracks, a low loader in the shape of a Thornycroft Antar with Sankey 50 Ton Trailer were developed in order to add it to the more substantial Major Pack range.
Long time channel member Tony sent this one over to me which was missing pieces from the tank, namely the turret and its tracks. The transporter itself was in better condition though it did have some rusty axles and very flaky paint.
The Thornycroft Antar served as the British Army's tank transporter of choice through the 60s, 70s and up to its replacement in the mid-80s. It was designed to carry the Centurion tank which it is teamed with in this set. The Centurion was the Army's main battle tank immediately post war and would also serve into the 1980s.
Help support the channel via Patreon:
patreon.com/DiecastRestos
Or become a YouTube member to get access to unique perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCnejV0mBuRlTcGcnIit2_0A/join
Take a look at the DieCastRestos Instagram page here:
instagram.com/DieCastRestos
If you'd like to send me something, get in touch via email here:
jason.crouch88@gmail.com
Parts source:
model-supplies.co.uk
Music by Karl Casey
@whitebataudio
Hackers
youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4Of3lID84
Existence
youtube.com/watch?v=yXdxsgYpC6U
Iridium
youtube.com/watch?v=oCz7vmVtMHY
Recoil
youtube.com/watch?v=SHgc5L6luvQ
Image credit:
Thornycroft Antar:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Mighty_Antar_Trekker_2.jpg
Hawker Hurricane:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Antwerp_Hawker_Hurricane_OO-HUR_13.jpg/2471px-Antwerp_Hawker_Hurricane_OO-HUR_13.jpg
Avro Lancaster:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Avro_Lancaster_%2852235808528%29.jpg/2560px-Avro_Lancaster_%2852235808528%29.jpg
Supermarine Spitfire:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/55/Spitfire_-_Season_Premiere_Airshow_2018_%28cropped%29.jpg/2560px-Spitfire_-_Season_Premiere_Airshow_2018_%28cropped%29.jpg
Diamond T tank transporter:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/The_British_Army_in_the_United_Kingdom_1939-45_H28811.jpg
Scammell Commander:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Scammell_Commander_52_KB_85.JPG/2560px-Scammell_Commander_52_KB_85.JPG
Triumph Herald:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/1962_Triumph_Herald_1200_Mk_I_Convertible_%2816157005478%29.jpg/2560px-1962_Triumph_Herald_1200_Mk_I_Convertible_%2816157005478%29.jpg
FV432:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/FV432_front_q.jpg
Centurion Mark III:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/A41_Centurion_III_%E2%80%93_IWM_Duxford_%2851294035832%29.jpg/2560px-A41_Centurion_III_%E2%80%93_IWM_Duxford_%2851294035832%29.jpg
Chieftain:
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/A_Chieftain_tank_at_Ancaster%2C_Lincolnshire%2C_England.jpg
Outro footage credit:
youtube.com/watch?v=UWuI5qZoaRMx2
#Matchbox #Diecast #Restoration
