I have family overseas and I want to send a built up model to them as a gift. I did this a year or so ago and the model was small and light. It was mounted on wooden presentation base and packed with copious styro-foam peanuts so it would not slide around. But still it arrived in need of some minor repairs. Does anyone have any tried and true suggestions? I have thought of insulation foam that domes in a can and making a custom moulded shape for the ,model to sit in, sort of like the packaging you get for a DVD player.
GENTLY wrap in bubble wrap on and to the base. Multi layered (multi- four or five 6). Then you should be able to lut UPStore box and popcorn for you. Good luck!
double box it. Secure the model inside one box, either with foam or I just use florist foam, cut, hot glued into the box, the plane is then sandwhich on the top with more foam. The idea is to elevate the model so its not touching the box at all. Support on the main wing roots and fuselage. Now seal that box and put into another bigger box with peanuts. Shipped a 1/48 b-57 from NY to Washington State, no breakage of anytype.
I honestly don’t think its a realistic expectation for you to send a model overseas and have it arrive without damage. That’s would be just miraculous if it did.
It’s going to cost $ and they 90% open the box and take a look then repack it.The box will be banged around and thrown around and go through machines.I shipped through UPS .Sent an armor model which was glued in place in a diorama setting in a plastic case.I used hard solid foam to enclose it and used packaging tape then I packed it in a medium box where the model will sit in the center.It arrived in Germany w/no problem.As for aircraft you do the same but w/no case .Just suspended alone in wrap.
Even if you ship a model in this country I would have no expectations of it arriving in one piece. I have shipped two models to intended purchasers and they were destroyed. I have seen videos of the rough handling by private shipping companies, and don’t expect PS to be any different. Only real way to move completed models for guaranteed safe arrival is hand carrying!
I use plastic bags from the grocery store, target, Walmart etc. I ball them up and use tons of them. They support and cushion better than packing peanuts or pillow stuffing material and are free. The balled up bags do a good job at locking down the model and help preventing it from moving. I have shipped many models this way and have experienced very minor (broken pitot tube, loose gear door) to no damage upon arrival. As mentioned before, mailing a built model is risky and one should expect some kind of damage to occur as the carriers laugh at the “FRAGILE” warning stamps.
I strongly agree w/ hand carrying .I have traveled by a rented tool van across the country to conventions and had no problems.if you travel long ways make sure you have at least 5 projects that no one can match or if you deliver to a purchaser rent a van and or hand carry.
Success! Was just notified that a model I shipped USPS arrived save and sound with NO damage using my balled plastic bag method I previously mentioned.
I think the probability of success in shipping depends a lot on the genre of the model. Car models are quite robust, ships are quite vulnerable to damage. Other genres are somewhere in between (I assume figures would be pretty robust. Even within the genre, it may depend on subject. I assume WW1 airplanes would be more susceptible to damage than modern jets, for instance. It is the small parts sticking up off the model that seem to be most vulnerable- antennas, pitot tubes, and such.
I think dioramas are at a poor survival rate as far as shipping one followed by ships. In my experience, armor is pretty safe followed by certain aircraft models.
