So we moved from Sydney to Canberra two weeks ago, which provoked the challenge of transporting my models. I strapped the two main Perspex display cases containing WW2 vehicles to the back seat of the car for the 3 hour drive and they came through almost unscathed – it was a whole lot easier than individually packing them, far more breakages likely that way.
But the move also allowed me to finally unpack my car/ship collection that had malingered in storage for nearly 10 years unseen. I was sure they’d travelled intact in their individual cases, always kept upright and never, ever thrown around in their large boxes…
Some remedial work clearly required in the 1:24 garage, although I kinda like the Golden Hind’s last moments. Anyhow I’d be interested to know how others have fared when relocating?
At least it all looks repairable, yes? And, by the way, nice builds.
You could always repurpose them into a diorama. But, and forgive me for saying, but the Golden Hind is sad, pathetic and somewhat comical all at the same time. Me? I’d be tempted to leave it as is. But I am slighly bonkers. Ever so slighly.
Very sweet looking models at risk when you moved. A+++ work!
Hope you’ll be back at the workbench ASAP. Happy the models in Perspex display cases traveled well. Sorry the cars & ship had a rougher time.
In 2009, I moved about 10 hours/600 miles. The ~200 built AFV models made a much shorter trip about an hours drive to my parents house. My packing was very poor due to extreme time constraints.
Perfect time to cull the collection and ~130 to 135 were tossed in the trash along ~200+ of ~220 contest trophies won at various IPMS shows. Generally, poorly done models without display bases were tossed out.
Of the surviving ~65 to 70 models, probably ~15 sustained minor damage and 5 major. Typically, a headlight popped off or an antenna was broken.
After ten years in the garage with the sports cars it was definitely weathered. A few years ago after a bath in Dawn dishing liquid, the 76 was reunited with the other models
Mate I hear you and sympathise! This most recent move, before going overseas, I packed some built models for long term storage (three years plus) and took a few others with me. I personally packed everything. Each completed model was put in a small box and packed tight with tissue paper then the lids sticky taped shut. These were then put in a larger box with lots of padding so nothing would move, then taped all over using gaffer and duct tape. I confess to going a bit berserk with the tape but it looked impressive.
Once I got everything back together after my unscheduled conclusion to this time overseas, I was able to do a complete BDA. The ones I had with me overseas were all ok. Some small things like a wing mirror or antenna had come off but all were with the model and they just need minor repair.
Of the ones in long term storage, it was a bit different. Of the two boxes of models in that storage that I’d packed, one was fine with some minor repairs required to some vehicles. The other box had clearly been dropped as it had a crushed corner and some gouges as well as a lot of the tape missing. This box had contained some vehicles, of which two were write offs and others looking pretty sad. Also in that box was a diorama base (the small village of which I put a photo on my introduction post) which was completely mashed. Nothing was missing (so no theft by removalist) and it hadn’t gone out of the country (being in long term domestic storage) so I couldn’t blame Customs.
Difficult to put down a price for insurance claim though. Also difficult to assess what could or should be claimed as irreparable and what was minor damage.
To be fair, this time wasn’t so bad. One move back from a previous gig overseas, we had a four poster bed with solid timber carved posts. When delivered the bed had been shattered (posts split, uprights snapped etc…). Claimed that on insurance and their initial reply was “ can it be glued back together?” As well as the bed, other big items were also damaged (fridge, washing machine, desks etc…). I consider that in comparison, for this most recent move, some repairs to a few vehicles could have been worse but the whole process is crappy and annoying.
Thank you Evan & no I totally agree about the Golden Hind, I laughed out loud when I opened that box & in no hurry to fix it. It would have to be some diorama incorporating the damaged cars, luxury-car-forecourt-vandalism?
Thank you too Wade – I guess it shows that it would’ve only taken a chunk of crumpled tissue at either end of each box to prevent almost all that car damage. Ouch that was a ruthless cull you did, but I get it. I imagine all of us consciously or unconsciously give each of our own models a rating, and as long as the top (say) 25% remain intact the others can be sacrificed (if necessary) with bearable pain.
Hmm an insurance claim would never have occurred to me Sam, although on reflection why not? I know, I’d never get over the Excess. As for the four-poster, I thought you were going to say the loss-adjuster said “Yeah yeah, I’ve heard that one a hundred times – so how did it REALLY get wrecked?”
I suppose really that is why I denied myself any modelling activity for around 20-odd years; being in the Army and moving every 2-3 years (sometimes less for 6 month tours), the inherent fragility of the hobby just wouldn’t stand it.
Now, when I’ve acquired a STABLE* of large proportions to try and make up for those lost years, I sadly realise that I won’t be around to tackle even around half, so a cull is long overdue (of models, not me).
I moved 675 miles a few years ago,some kits by me,some by the mover truck,all 75-90 kits came thru with no damage.For the 1/48 aircraft 1-2 a box,I laid down pillow stuffing that you get in a craft store placed the plane off its wheels on the stuffing,then locked them in by placing more stuffing on top and sealing the box,no movement.For armor,my wife had a bunch of plastic shoe boxes.Same thing,one tank to a box,surrounded by stuffing so they couldnt move,then I put four of the shoe boxes in a bigger boxes,and surronded them with stuffing to keep them secure.A lot of work,but successful.
In all likely hood,that was my forever move,barring a nursing home,or getting carried out !!!
In 6 years I moved from southwest Virginia to El Paso. Then El Paso to northeastern indiana. Finally back down to south. Some of my models have not been unpacked since 2007. A few have. I actually met a video of it once. I put my models in layers of Styrofoam peanuts. Some of the airplanes with a lot of antennas or guns sticking off, I put them in big Ziploc baggies, zipped shut except for enough room for a straw, and sucked all the air out. Amazingly, no the antenna snapped off.
The end is in sight for my hobby room renovation. Can’t wait to start unpacking these things and putting them up on the shelves again. Will be interesting to see what survived.
