Lesney's Matchbox Series went from strength to strength during the second half of the 1950s, and inevitably caused many imitators to copy the idea of a series of small scale models with a novelty box.  The ''Sentry Box'' series of military models was a small range which is typical of such Matchbox-inspired toys.

The manufacturer of the Sentry Box series was Kemlows Diecasting Products Ltd. For most of the 1950s Kemlows were based at Wood Green in north London, but around 1958 they moved to a larger factory at Potters Bar.  The mainstay of Kemlows' production in the 1950s was the Master Models series of 00 scale railway accessories which was distributed by B.J.Ward Ltd.  From time to time other toys were produced, generally on a sub-contract basis, so that the Kemlows name is rarely found on their models.

The only identification on the Sentry Box models is MADE IN ENGLAND, which is usually achieved using a standard die stamp in the mould.  There are several designs of die stamp, and there are minor variations on the models, including changes to this lettering, as the dies were modified over their production life.

The Sentry Box boxes are the nicest feature of the series.  A sentry figure is shown on one side, and one of the end flaps forms a peaked roof.  On the other end the model name is printed in black on a red panel, below which is a green panel with white lettering saying ''IN THE SENTRY BOX SERIES MADE IN ENGLAND".  The Tank Transporter obviously had a longer box than the standard size (thanks to Nigel Clarke for the photo).

The models were painted matt dark green, sometimes over sprayed with a brownish green to give a camouflage effect.  Most models had bisected square transfers at front and rear (dark blue/red or dark blue/yellow).  Silver trim was sometimes added to headlights etc.  Wheels were unpainted metal, except for the Centurion Tank, for which the whole model was sprayed after assembly, including the wheels.

Unfortunately I cannot be precise about when the series was issued, because no contemporary advertisements or other information has come to light.  This may be because the series was sold by Woolworths, and if this was an exclusive arrangement, no marketing to the trade would have been necessary.  According to Stephen Lowe of Kemlows, the series came to a premature end because Woolworths decided to discontinue war toys.  My guess for a date for the series would be late 1950s to early 1960s.  Update - four of the Sentry Box series were included in a 1958 price list by Fred Bronner Corporation of New York (see photo) - the Bedford Lorry, Armoured Car, Centurion Tank and Bedford Lorry with Gun.  It therefore seems likely that these were the first introductions in the series, followed by the Tank Transporter and the Armoured Car set.

Stephen Lowe also said that the dies for Kemlows' military models were sold to Israel in the mid-1960s.  We know for certain that some of the River Series models (not by Kemlows) appeared in the Israeli Gamda range. According to the Catalogue of Model Cars of the World by Greilsamer & Azema, the Gamda range also included a Centurion tank and tank transporter in 1:86 scale. Probably these were from the Sentry Box dies - can any reader confirm, if possible with a photograph?  Update - it is now confirmed that the Gamda tank transporter was a reissue of the Sentry Box item.  Photos thanks to Vic Davey and Hadi Orr.

All of the series are quite difficult to find in boxed condition, although unboxed models are reasonably common.  In my experience the set of the Armoured Car, Limber and Gun is the rarest item.

Descriptions of the individual models follow.

Bedford RL 3 ton Army Lorry
Length 58mm.
A one-piece casting, including the tilt, with only the tailboard as a separate component.  The lorry was sold individually as well as in conjunction with the field gun.  The box end flap read  "3 Ton Bedford Lorry'' for the single item.

Bedford RL 3 ton Army Lorry with Field Gun
Length 58mm (lorry), 60mm (gun).
The box end flap read ''3 Ton Bedford Lorry Towing 25 Pdr."  Otherwise the same standard box was used as the single item.

Armoured Car
Length 57mm.
This was a six-wheel armoured car with a rotating gun turret.  There was no baseplate.  The box end flap read ''ARMOURED VEHICLE".

Centurion Tank
Length 58mm.
Rotating turret.  Separate baseplate securing four concealed wheels.  Representations of the tracks were cast in, rather than go to the expense of providing rubber tracks.

Thornycroft Antar Tank Transporter
Length 166mm.
As far as I know this was only sold separately from the tank.  It is only an approximate model of the Antar, and is easily distinguished from the Matchbox model (which is much better). Rumours of the Matchbox tank transporter with metal wheels are almost certainly due to the Sentry Box version!  The tractor unit and trailer were each single castings, except for two separate let-down ramps at the rear.  The two parts were permanently joined by a vertical axle pin with a spare wheel at the top.