Transporting built paper models

[ChickenFaceMan]

Hi all,
Has anyone shipped or transported build paper-card models? I don't even know if it's possible. Thank you in advance.

[Texman]

I do it all the time. Both by USPS and air travel carry on. What are you needing to transport? How large? How many "dangly" bits"? There's a lot of unknowns....

[ChickenFaceMan]

It is a 1/33 F6f Hellcat. I don't know how I would protect the wheels and antenna wires. Would I use Styrofoam or something else. I cannot think of it getting sent through USPS without being damage. Thanks for your response. I'd love to know how you would transport a similar plane model.

[Siwi]

Suspend the model by threads at its strongest points within a box, making sure that it can't touch the sides but has a bit of 'play'.



I have just started making bases for my models, and plan on using columns to able to stack the models for display and for transport to shows and photoshoots. The idea is that if the model is attached to the sturdy base, it will likewise avoid touching the box it's in, and can be enitrely handled by the base.

[ChickenFaceMan]

Great! Thank you so much for the information!!

[Texman]

You can use styrofoam "stands" to support the wings and fuselage. USPS is risky at best.
I have tested mailing models, with some success. But nothing as large as 1/33.

Anyone?

[Isaac]

I just stuff the bottom of a box with tissue paper, place the models on top and cover with more tissue paper. 99% of the time, there is no damage.

My models made it all the way from Korea, Japan, Canada to the USA and in and out of storage.


Isaac

[-Jim G]

Over many years I have shipped a lot of models via USPS. At first I ruined a few models by using dunnage that was stronger than the model. Packing peanuts, and bubble wrap, etc. The worst was when the model was shipped across international borders. It seems that they will open the boxes to inspect and then not do a very careful job of repackaging :(

Then I started suspending the models with rubber bands. I puncture the corners of the box and push the rubber band part way through the hole. Outside the corner of the box I put a bamboo skewer through the rubber band. Then I tie rubber bands together to get the correct length to repeat the procedure on the diagonal corner. The bands should be taught but not overly tight.

Note that I use extra tape on the outside of the box so that the bamboo skewers are very secure.

When I have made an X suspension across the corners, I attach the model to the suspension with other rubber bands.

Here are some pictures:






Since I have started doing this, I have not hsent damaged models.

One thing is that I know I will be shipping a model when I am building it, so I take extra time and make sure that I am building the model extra stout.

[ChickenFaceMan]

Thank you Isaac and Jim! I really appreciate the pictures, Jim, they really help.

[Isaac]

Originally Posted by ChickenFaceMan

Thank you Isaac and Jim! I really appreciate the pictures, Jim, they really help.

Really, the soft tissue paper will do the same job of protecting the paper models. And do not over squeeze the paper. keep it soft. I place multiple models separated with tissue paper. They can be upside down as well.


Here is a picture of one model unpacked after a trip from Tokyo, Japan to Dayton, Ohio


and all my models after the trip. Looking good all of them.




Any method that works for you is good.


Isaac