Long term (archive) model storage

Hi Mike!

When I pack up models that I have restored for the trip to the museum or pack them up for a trip to a show, I use those under the bed storage plastic boxes. I bought a 4'x8' blue foam 1/4" wallboard and cut pieces to fit the bottom of the boxes. Then I make a floor plan of the models on the board to get the best fit (no model touching another). I place the models in the box 1 at a time and place 3" toothpics touching each side of the wings near the fuselage and 1 on each side of the fuselage near the tail. If you don't trust the toothpicks alone scratching the paint, you can slide a small piece of soft foam on the toothpick.

I have never had any damage to my models in all the years I traveled with them and I have gone over some rough roads. Hope that this helps.

Jim 

Stay Safe.

Great question.  And if I may expand/generalize - what do folks do when there's no more shelf space???  

Whoops, my bad! Left out the part where I stack them in a corner. At 6", each box holds 4 to 6 or 7 models each depending on scale. That comes to ...........8 to 14 per foot and 56 to 98 models in a normal sized room with not as much wasted space as on a normal 12" shelf. Plus the fact that you don't need any kind of packing material. Box is sealed shut.

That's just my . Thats what I do when the curio cabinet gets too full, it's slow getting someone to give them too and the wife says "No More In The Living Room".

Jim 

Stay Safe.

When I moved I packed my aircraft I cardboard boxes.First I put down a layer of the stuff they use to stuff pillows and toys,looks like cotton candy and is found at craft stores like Hobby Lobby,then I put in the plane with enough stuffing so it's off its landing gear,then add more stuffing on top of the plane,enough to lock the plane in solidly.Close lid.

Worked great,didn't lose a pitot tube,antenna,weapon,or landing gear.Survived interstate move and almost 2 years in storage.Ask Stikpusher,he tried the method for his move also.

Get rid of some.  I've given an aircraft carrier to a navy recruiting office and two aircraft to vets who flew that aircraft.  I am looking for homes for several others.