Box with header card not removable / without 1:36

1978-80 boxes with their 1977 and 1979 copyrights is somewhat confusing without the corresponding photographs

Comparison of 1978, 1979 and 1980 boxes:

Note that the line The Mettoy Co. Ltd., Northampton U.K. above the photo is missing on the box with the 1979 copyright.

1978 box (© 1977) without date code,
1979 box (© 1979) with date code 21/79 (week/year),
1980 box (© 1977) with date code 14/80.

Figures in the 1978 and 1979 boxes were painted and sealed in paper bag; in the 1980 box two unpainted blue bandits on sprue and the Bond figure with simplified paint as in 1981.

So I would rather say the change to unpainted passengers and reduced paint on Bond was made during 1980, and not with the change of boxes for 1981! (The box has a 1980 print date but strangely has reverted to the 1977 copyright while an earlier “1:36” box with a 1979 print date also has a 1979 copyright!)

the baddies were on the sprue