Building model ships is not only a popular hobby among enthusiasts but has also become a lucrative source of extra income for many modelers. Model ships can be scale models of popular battleships, cruise liners, steamboats, yachts and other marine vessels made from commercially-available model kits or from scratch based on the imagination of the builder.
Ship modeling kits can be available in various materials including wood, plastic, metal, and paper. Assembly also varies from easy to very labor-intensive depending on the materials used, scale and intricacy of details. Building model ships usually require gluing parts together following a guide that comes with the kit. Once finished, model ships are ready for display in a private collection.
There are instances when a finished model ship needs to be transported to another location like when shipping it to a buyer or sending it to a model show for exhibition. In such cases, proper packing is necessary to ensure that the fragile item arrives intact and in excellent condition. Here are some tips to consider when packing and shipping model ships to ensure safe and damage-free arrival.
The key to successfully shipping a model ship is to keep it immobile in its box and to protect it from any impact. If the model is mounted, remove the base and wrap it in bubble wrap. Then, place the model ship in a plastic bag, take most of the air out and seal it shut. The bag will be the item’s first line of defense against damage and will catch any parts that might get knocked off during transit.
Get a sturdy cardboard shipping box that is at least 2 inches larger than the ship model on all sides, top and bottom. Tape the bubble-wrapped base (if any) on the bottom of the box and fill a layer of packing peanuts over it. Place the wrapped model ship on top of the packing materials, making sure that not a part of it is in contact with the sides of the box. Place airbags on its sides to keep the ship model stable and fill remaining spaces above and around it with more packaging peanuts. The idea is to pack the box well and keep the ship model in place during transport. Close the box and seal with packaging tape.
Then double box the package using a strong cardboard box that is a couple of inches larger than the first box. Use packing peanuts to fill the bottom, sides, and top of the outer box that will keep the inner box nestled in the center. Close the box and seal with tape. Also, reinforce all seams and openings with packaging tape.