How do you transport your kits to model shows?

I know a lot of people do similar to you and use toothpicks to keep everything in place. I place mine in cardboard boxes, but all my models are on bases which makes it a lot easier. I just hold them in place with styrene packaging.

For transporting ship models I often make a carrier box from plywood.  Large ship models represent a fair amount of time and money, so I don't feel this is extravagent.  I cut a piece for the floor to start, and add a piece of 1 x 1 or 1 x 2 pine at each end.  The floor is just long enough so the inside ends of the pine provide room for padding but the ship fits snuggly.  If the hull width covers everything, the width is about half an inch wider than the beam, which allows some foam or bubble wrap at the sides to prevent shifting. If it is a sailing ship with spars sticking out beyond the beam I add some pine blocks to secure the hull from shifting sideways, again allowing for some padding material between hull sides and blocks.

I find the cost of the plywood and pine is in line with what I spend on paint and aftermarket on a large kit, so I am not being extravagant.  The labor to do it reflects my value of the model.  I assume this kind of box would work just as well for other genres of models, with some extra attention to how the blocks that restrict movement are designed and placed.

The most important thing to consider when choosing or designing a carrying container is that no part of the model should be allowed to touch the container.  A wingtip, even gently resting against the container wall, can be damaged by abrasion.  I tried Foamcore trestles to support my models, but discovered that they left burnishing marks.  I learned both lessons the hard way while driving some kits to a show.  Even though I took pains to drive gently, I still had slight damage.

For aircraft, I found the best way is to use cut foam rubber and place the model upside down.  I make cutouts for the fin, cockpit, etc, and leave clearance for any aerials and radio wires.  The reason I like to have the plane upside down is that it is easier to keep an eye on the fragile landing gear.  Foam rubber blocks are placed on top of the wings and fuselage to gently press down on the model when the lid is closed.  That will keep the model from falling out of the foam padding.

The second most important advice is to make darn sure the container lid won't fall off unexpecedly!  This is super important!  Yeah I learned that the hard way too.  If you have to fly with your model, make sure the TSA guys can either see through the container, or make sure that secure lid is easy to (intentionally) remove.

All that being said, the last time I flew with a model, I used a shoe box with an old belt as a container.  I have a collection of cut pieces of foam rubber that I used to shim my models away from the walls and each other.  I got lucky and didn't have any damage.

Believe it or not;

      I use the same method. I found out after an accident that destroyed the car, that the contents of the boxes I was carrying were completely intact ! What I did after this episode though, was go to Barkley's Better Boxes.  I gave them some patterns and they made me shipping strength Cardboard boxes with liners to stiffen the walls and cradles shaped for ships that were adjustable.

      Now, My ships arrive as safely as my trains do. Barkley's makes boxes with padded trays for all scales of model Trains, and they are stackable!  T.B.