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1955-1960 The only visible change from Type A is that MOKO now appears in capitals instead of the classic script style. Every number from 1 to 75 had at least one of these boxes, and in some cases several variations are known to exist. Sub-types for Type B boxes depend on the end flaps, and we can find 5 different configurations. Also, introduced with the B5 type, the words "New Model" were added to end flaps for new models in the 1-75 range. The MOKO word would survive until 1961, when MOKO was no longer in the picture and Lesney would remain, introducing the short lived C type. On a collecting note, B type boxes are probably the hardest types to collect. There are so many variations for just one model, and the price for acquiring all of them together is often steep. SUB TYPES B1 : The end flap is plain blue, with no number or name. B2 : The end flap is blue, the model's number in black. B3 : The end flap is blue, with the model's number in a white circle. B4 : The end flap is blue, with the model's number in a white circle and the model's name in black through a white panel above. B5 : The end flap is blue, with the model's number in a white circle and the model's name in white above. MAJOR AND MINOR VARIABLES VARIABLES FOR MAJOR VARIATIONS: - The drawing of the model - The size of the box - The size of the drawing area - The model number size, position and style on the front and/or back VARIABLES FOR MINOR VARIATIONS, ALL BASED ON END FLAPS: - Sub type (End flaps) - End flap text - “NEW MODEL” mention MAJOR VARIABLE - DRAWING OF THE MODEL This major variable depends on the picture of the model. For one single model, several different drawings exist and sometimes the difference between two variations is very small. This first example shows two different variations for the 12A model. Both boxes have the same size but the drawing changes from a blurred picture to a sharper image of the Land Rover . Both boxes are type B1 and size 1. Several early models have these blurred/sharp picture variations. For this example, the 44A on left is a B5 box showing the car with a dark background. At right, another B5 box showing a different drawing without any background. Quite a few models have this background difference, with or without a change in the model's drawing. MAJOR VARIABLE - BOX SIZE AND DRAWING AREA Because different sizes were used for Type B, major variations may depend on the drawing area as well, like 32A, where the same drawing was used on three distinct patterns. The first is the small size box, then the same box is used on a size 3, but without stretching it. Finally, the drawing was stretched to fit the size 3. The “blue square” pattern was often used when boxes were gradually made bigger to fit the toy adequately. MAJOR VARIABLE - NUMBER SIZE, POSITION AND STYLE More subtile variations depend on the model number shown on the front and back of the box. Here, for #43, the number are closer to or away from the model. This pattern is very common on many model numbers One typical number pattern is the “straight 3”, often mentionned in the box listing. Number 13 offers an excellent example. The straight 3 has the upper part of the number as a straight line instead of the usual round shape. Number 13 has also one example of the “wide N”, used from time to time on some B boxes. It consists in a wider “N” letter, rather than usual narrow letter. This one is at right while the “straight 3” is at left. MINOR VARIABLE - END FLAP TEXT Sometimes, for the same box sub type (B4 and B5), the same model has a different description text: The text can also be the same, but quotes are used: Upper case vs small case is also a common pattern: The “NEW MODEL” mention on the bottom of the end flap appeared for the first time on B5 boxes, sometimes even though the model was previously released in B4 boxes. SIZES “B” boxes came in 4 different sizes: - 1 (57 X 22 X 38 mm) - 2 (57 X 26 X 38 mm) - 3 (67 X 26 X 38 mm) - 4 (67 X 38 X 38 mm) TOP AND BOTTOM All B boxes have a dark blue top and a black bottom. In the listing provided on this site, all TOP/BOTTOM columns only mention “Blue/Black”. OTHER NOTES ON THE REGULAR WHEELS B TYPE BOXES B2 MODEL NUMBER PATTERNS The B2 sub type, which is simply a black number over the plain blue end flap, can have the same number in different patterns. Here, number 26 is a good example: It is important to note that the variation listing does not take this into account. RED AND BLACK LETTERINGS Various red letterings can be found on B type boxes. “MADE IN ENGLAND” and others can be found or are missing on some boxes in no apparent pattern. Those leterrings are not considered in the variation listings. The black “REG’D” lettering usually at the bottom right of the box is always there, except for some rare exceptions. Those are considered major variations and are listed in the variation listings. DIFFERENT FRONT AND BACK Rule of thumb is usually, not only for B types but for all boxes, that the front and back are identical. However, B and C boxes have a few examples where the back is lightly different. The differences are subtile, but worth mentionning. One should be on the lookout for those and not get mislead by a simple picture! On the different pages on this site, wherever this is applicable, two pictures will be provided in order to show the difference. Here a two examples: In both cases, this is the same box ! For #45, the numbers are slightly more to the right for the box on the bottom while for #31, it’s the one on top! HOW TO USE THE B BOX LIST For every model available with an B Box, every major variation will be illustrated with a front picture of the box, according to one of the major variables discussed on the present page. The first set of characters in the variation number is the box type, followed by the number of the variation and a letter for the minor variation.

Page updated on : 2023-06-25