Big actor briefly dropping hot containers (5)

I believe the answer is:

tanks

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'containers' is the definition.
(tank is a kind of container)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for tanks that I've seen before include "Armoured military vehicles" , "Armed vehicles" , "Bombs" , "Armored military vehicles" , "Reservoirs - military vehicles" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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