When I restarted building scale models a couple of years ago, I soon realized that I would need to protect my completed models from dust and damage. When I had completed three models, I ordered a custom display case from Modeller’s Workshop in Montreal.
It was a pleasure working with the owner, Rick Shousa, and after a few weeks my display case arrived. It’s beautiful, with white base, sides, and back, and is doing its job perfectly. After installing my three completed models in it, I decided they would benefit from having some risers, so I order somemade of clear acrylic. Those arrived last week. Here’s how the display case looks:
I plan on ordered another case, much smaller, for my nearly complete hospital ship model.
I learned that custom display cases are not cheap, but cheaper than Caribbean cruises (which I would never take anyway).
Thanks Bob! Your display case looks great! I’ve been searching for a way to keep my sailing ships protected from damage & dust so I’m going to look into these.
It does look nice. I’m very pleased with it. The display case is in two parts: the white base is one, and the white sides and back and transparent front and top make up the second part, which you just drop onto the base once the models are inside. The parts fit together virtually seamlessly.
Sounds simple, right? It isn’t.
My first effort, removing the books on the bookshelf to make space for the display case, placing the aircraft where I wanted them on the base, dropping the top into place, and sliding the whole thing onto the shelf didn’t work at all. The planes slid around and the yellow T-34B, which really wants to be a tail sitter, sat on its tail.
Next, I took the books off the shelf above, along with the shelf itself and the studs that support it, slid the bottom of the display case bottom onto the shelf, placed the three models where I wanted them on the base, and then carefully lowered the top over the models. But even then, a slight jar moved the models slightly, and I had to try again. I finally got the top in place without moving the models and replaced the shelf and book above, but I expect I’ll be going through that process again: we live in a ferro-concrete apartment building, but tiny vibrations from traffic and activity in the building will probably move the models around a bit.
All in all, it would be better to have the display case sitting on a table or sideboard, but we just don’t that luxury in this small apartment.
The tall one in the middle I just got this year from a local house sale for $125 the two short ones were custom by a company called GEMO that used to advertise in FSM and the two on the right were pretty cheap from a small shop
One thing you could try next time is using a white glue to keep them in place. Once it dries it should hold them as long as there isn’t too much shaking when putting the case into its slot.
That’s an interesting idea! I had’t thought of that. But white glue isn’t water soluble after it dries, iirc. Is there a similar glue that could be removed without damaging the acrylic risers?
That’s really sharp. I’m looking for a case for a 1/32 Corsair that I’m gifting for my brother. This might be the way to go. Looks like you have some space between the top shelf and clear case top. Small lights might look nice shinning down on the models.
