packing models

let me add that the second box is not a luxury. it hinders any movement which is the cause for the occasional antenna break. i used it to transport kits via air,train and road with 23/26 success

Boy this reminds me of a project in high school where we had to buid a container to drop from the top of the stadium and not break the egg inside.

Well, then, you'll just have to open up the first one, won't you?
As for moving models? I do everything within my power to move them all by hand. I don't stick them all in a box, and stuff 'em in my U-HAUL and go. I put each of them in their own seperate box, which is as form-fitting as possible. I use no packing material, for fear of hurting antennae and such. I then place them in the backseat of my car, and move them to the new house while driving as slowly and safely as the law will allow.
I've never had a model break on me during moving!

Thanks for the info, bad news though just found out that there is no model shops
in the town I am moving to.

gar26

Congrats on the new Job offer.

Here is my 2 cents worth. I have packed the following 1/48 scale models (F-14, F-15c, B1b, B-52, SR-71)with very little damage (i.e. flimsy landing gear, pitot tubes, missles etc..) or no damage at all. The military moved me from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska to Norton AFB, Calif, to Fort Riley, Kansas. Between Calif and Kansas my stuff sat in storage for 6 months. I found a box that was at least 3-6 inchs deeper, 3-6 inchs longer and 3-6 inchs wider than the model work the best. Then fill the box part way with foam peanuts. Place the model upside down. Make sure no part of the model is touching the box. You also need to gauge how much peanuts you need underneath the model. After you are happy with the palcement start covering the rest of the model with peanuts. Tape the lid down. Then write this side up on the side of the box. For aircraft with landing gear extended ship it on its back. Then place this sealed box in another box with a shallow layer of peanuts packed all around the box. Now for obvious reason a very large B-1 or B-52 is not the easiest pack. Take your time. I have packed and repacked them several times. Another good filler is shredded paper. My last shipment from Fort Campbell, Ky to Little Rock AFB, Ar went very smooth.

Office Depot has peanuts. Gets expensive. I spent roughly $200.00.

When I carry models back and forth from work, I build a box out of foamcore/gatorboard that's pretty close to the model's dimensions. Use a hot glue gun to secure the foamcore. I line the bottom of the box with that eggcrate foam stuff or that anti-slip cloth that goes in drawers and tool boxes (wally world) to keep it from sliding around. You can use scrap foam and foamcore to make any additional supports if you need them. I label the boxes and keep them to store the models in. If you're trusting them to a moving crew or (shudder) the mail, which you shouldn't, you'll need to get creative and suspend them in layers of soft foam with a tube of glue inside because they will do everything they can to break them.

I don't know how far the drive is, but I'd carry them in the car with you and don't let anyone else near them. Chances are, they are the most fragile things you're moving and taking them along for the ride is the best insurance.

Congrats! and good luck!

-fish

I have to go along with the packing peanuts. They don't apply pressure like trying to get paper around the models. Put some in the bottom of the box, put your model in, then more around the sides and top!

Make sure you mark the box so you don't forget what's in it too!!

gar26,
Congratulations on your new job! Hope you will be happy with your new endeavor.

For aircraft or armor mounted on a base, I think the peanuts thing will work just fine. The base will offer significant stability.
For aircraft without a base, I saw some time ago an article where the very end of the aircraft's wings were fastened between two blocks of something resembling foam rubber, or maybe styrofoam. The foam was held together with ties or rubber bands. This effectively suspended the aircraft between the foam. As I recall, the bottom pieceof foam had to be thick enough to suspend the aircraft plus landing gear. Place in a box, put in some peanuts, and make sure you DON"T put the box under your tool box or kitchen ware!
Gip Winecoff

Foam peanuts will work, but I know of no "perfect" solution to packing kits. Aircraft are the toughest, or anything with antennas, arials, or sharp protrusions that stick out from the main body of the model. If they are small enough, you may want to invest in miniature transport cases. They're lined with foam, and protect fairly well. Just cut the foam to the shape of the model.

Good luck at the new job!

demono69