Flying to the Nats.

Good thing you said "Nats" and not "Gnats", or this thread would have been deleted!

Furthermore, I would not take anything fragile or of value on any airline today.  I just throw my underwear and shirts and trousers in the suitcase, and take nothing else that I can't afford to lose.

I have a friend who has taken quite a few flights to shows with models. He usually takes only one or two small models and hand carries them with him. He's had few problems with the TSA wanting to examine them and even accidentally damaging one. Metal used as a ballast may pose a problem at the x-ray scanner. I for one would not take one on a flight for fear of damage.