Safe way to move models?

Sht_Le,

Welcome to the forums! Moving models is always tough, especially long distance. My advice would be to do two things. 1) Put the model inquestion inside a large plastic bag (freezer type are fine) if you can to easily collect any pieces should they break off and 2) pack them in small boxes with foam peanuts of the type you can get at the UPS Store or other shipping/packing place. If you've got a large number to move, you may be forced to choose the best and leave the rest. Good luck with your move and HTH.

I move my large collection of models every couple of years, active duty military. I let the packers pack them up, with some guidance. This is what I tell them. Dioramas with wooden/heavy bases go on the bottom of the boxes. Each model gets wrapped in paper individually, this way, just as suggested above, any parts that break off stay with the model. I also make sure they put plenty of paper around the models in the boxes so they are not tightly packed in and have some room to move. I also build to move, that is, I leave rotor blades, weapons, and any other items I can either loose or movable/removable to make packing easier. I have been moving around courtesy of the US Army for the last 11 years and only had a couple models that were damaged beyond repair, most have small stuff like antennas and the like broken off. Nothing really bad though. And if it is damaged beyond repair, more for the parts bin.

Good luck on your move.

Welcome.

As was mentioned above the best is to build them with a move in mind, also doing things like arials from wire will help.

A friend of mine packages his kits with ziploc bags filled with popcorn(snack on them while unpacking).
I have done something different, most of my kits are inside their own little display cases, got the idea from an old Tamiya publication that had plans to build stackable cases for Motorbike Models. As long as the kit is firmly fixed to the base and the box does not receive a rough treatment they should be A-ok.

At the moment building a lot of generic bases so that I can keep all my kits dust-free and protected from the kitten we will soon get.

As mentioned above, I would seal the models inside large ziplock bags. That way, the bag actually forms an airtight (semi) bubble around the model. I would also use styrofoam peanuts. Coat the bottom of a box with peanuts, place the models (spaced out) on top, and then fill in the around the models to the top of the box with peanuts. If they're snug enough, your models will probably not move at all throughout the move. If you're really worried, you can take these peanut-filled boxes and pack them inside bigger boxes with newspaper stuffed all the way around. Double boxed like this, I don't even think a Mayflower mover could hurt them.

Best of luck on your move.

I was on active duty as well when the bulk of my collection was built. So I built a display case from plywood and plexi-glass, made it look nice for the spousal unit's approval. When it came time to move I pulled all the models out and filled the shelves with shredded paper then put the models back in. I never had any total loses and only a few broken antenna and missing shovels etc. that were eventually found and put back on. They survived three trips across the pond to Europe and back.

Thanks for the input guys. I will try and be gental with them. By the way, how do you boys manage to build models while on active duty? It seems like I was always busy doing something other than models!

This may take up more space than your willing to use but check this out.
http://www.swannysmodels.com/Packaging.html
Seems like the way to go. I'll definetly be trying this my next PCS

BTW