Damage-Proof Packing.1/96 or any scale.
Do you like to carve?
Well, here's a chance to learn even if you don't. I am packing up the components for a ship that I couldn't finish and one I did. Now, you might ask, How are you going to keep it from being damaged?.
Chair cushion foam. It is about two inches thick. About the consistancy of the foam electronics come in. This can be obtained in Jo-Annes, Hobby Lobby, Micheals etc. It comes with two cushions in a bag. Un-trimmed and perfectly square.
First the really breakable stuff. For the Bridge Structure and breakable trim on same. Take a piece of the foam and cut it to fit the box tightly. Insert. This is your bottom. Now take the bridge structurewith CIC directly below and sit it in the middle of another piece cut to fit the box. Draw a line around it and cut the inside of your outline out.
Carefully work the piece into it taking care to be sure all ladders slip inside the hole. Now take pieces of foam ( loose) and place around the bridge sides locking it in place. The next layer will be pieced together as well. Take small pieces and place on the bridge deck and let them go to the top of the rails for the director. Smaller pieces around the hardware on the deck( captain's chair, small Directors and searchlights. When this is all packed securely add a full piece above this completely encasing the unit. Seal the box. Throw it all over toh garage or porch, bouncing it on the walls and dropping it on the ground.
Now re-open, check for damage and if none, re-seal and ship. If there is damage, check to see what shifted and pack it in better. DONE
If it's something like TRUMPETER'S ARIZONA it's different, but the same. Create a shallow dry dock for the bottom making cut outs for the screws and rudders. This goes on top of the Bottom piece that's been cut to match the box. You'll have to get a Golf Bag Box from FED-EX to ship her built. Taking some pieces cut from the foam Make sure they step up in height like the turrets. Do NOT try to encase the turrets! Build a layer to protect the P.E. rails. Then build around that first level ( main Deck ) Turret to provide a flat expanse for the foam from box end to the next level turret.
This is the way you go till you reach a level ABOVE the fighting tops and masts. Take large pieces of foam and fill the area from the stack out to box edge. Note; Remove the antenna and radio and flag rigging. It will NOT survive the trip because you cannot encase it without breaking part of it.
Secure with a full layer of foam at the top. Seal and bounce, check( No Damage ?) re-seal and ship! Good Luck P.S. You have to do the bounce test! If not, you will not know about shifting from handling and what needs more secure padding. Do NOT use Bubble Wrap. Just pop it between foam cutting sessions!