transporting figures

[mcelhas]

Hello, friends,

I'm looking for advice based on the experience of forum members, in transporting figures to shows by air, when you have to carry them as cabin baggage.

I've only taken figures by land up to now. I'm taking figures by air in October.

I have two queries:

(1) Has anyone had problems getting figures past Airport security, when these figures feature lances/swords/billhooks etc, especially when they are made of white metal alloys?. I'm dreading some over-zealous security person deciding that these are in fact miniature weapons, and could be used to cause injury inside the cabin. Don't laugh, post 9/11, anything is possible. If anyone has encountered such a problem, did they find a solution?.

(2) A carrying case going into an aircraft cabin as hand luggage needs to be more scure than any other carrying case. What kind of methods are people using nowadays to secure figures in transit?. A friend is building me a case, but he needs specifications.

I've been advised that the safest way to carry figures inside a case is put a screw or screws up through a removeable section of timber, into the bottom of the bases of the figures. The section of timber would sit like a drawer inside the case. The theory is that that way they can't move at all, until you slide out the timber, and unscrew them.

Any practical advice based on hard experience (not too hard I hope!) or any kind of experience in getting figures on to a plane as cabin baggage, and off again, and to the show in one piece, would be appreciated.

Regards,

Shane, Dublin.

 

[Blind Pew]

Dear Shane, this topic has been asked before, if you go through the 'general' section for the last few weeks, you'll certainly find it on there. It appears to be a fairly common problem, especially given how frangle our wroks of art are.

All the best.

 

[Einion]

Hi Shane, howsitgoin'? Going to Le Petit Soldat?

Originally posted by mcelhas+Jun 4 2005, 03:37 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mcelhas @ Jun 4 2005, 03:37 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>(1) Has anyone had problems getting figures past Airport security... [/b]

Nope, not yet thank goodness. I've not had any experience travelling on the continent and there is always a worry that some over-zealous guy will draw a line in the sand but there's a fair bit of traffic to and from the various shows so I think you should be fine. Just be prepared to explain they're collectors' figurines and to show them if asked.

<!--QuoteBegin-mcelhas@Jun 4 2005, 03:37 PM
I've been advised that the safest way to carry figures inside a case is put a screw or screws up through a removeable section of timber, into the bottom of the bases of the figures. [/quote]
A screw into the figure's base is the best way to make sure the model isn't going to move. An abundance of Blu-Tack holds figures quite secure and you still see this quite a lot at shows but I don't like this method myself as a rule as it often leaves a slight 'greasy' stain on the finish of the wood. So if you want to have the models freestanding in the box I would go with the screw method myself, above all it's definitely the most secure.

Einion

 

[Uruk-Hai]

A screw into the figure's base is the best way to make sure the model isn't going to move. An abundance of Blu-Tack holds figures quite secure and you still see this quite a lot at shows but I don't like this method myself as a rule as it often leaves a slight 'greasy' stain on the finish of the wood. So if you want to have the models freestanding in the box I would go with the screw method myself, above all it's definitely the most secure.

I was quite sceptical about this when I first saw it but come to change my mind on this.

Use the rights sort of "blue" tac, mine is green and comes from Faber-Castell. Doesnt leave much residue at all. Its important to have clean hands when kneading the tac as its this way that grease is transferred from the hand to the tac. Now and then one has to use new and fresh tac.

For best adhesion of the tac the surface that you adere it to should be glossy. If its the bottom of a wooden box, put on some varnish, is it a plinth, remove the velvet underneath. Take a generoues sixe of tac, I use 1/35 size sandbag amount in each corner, and the press the the plinth to the bottom.

If you use the screws, vibrations will spread through the whole piece.

Preferably have a box that can fit underneath the seat in front of you at the plane, and make sure its easy to open the box should security demand it.

My greatest fear is that someone else should pick up the box when coming out of the x-ray machine and that this person will not be handling it careful. In most cases I travel with a friend so one of us goes through the control and when hes cleared the other one puts the boxes on the band to the machine and the first one picks them up.

 

[Figure Mad]

Hi Guys

I had a bit trouble with screwing the figure bases to a extra shelf in the boxes, they seemed to be to sturdy and it tendid to fracture the figure. I then moved on to Blue Tac and that realy began to hurt my hands when having to use so much of it to keen the figures from moving...

So my solution was to use velcro, not the normal of the shelf stuff from stationery stores but the exhibition standard stuff from hardware stores, using the harder part inside the box and the softer side on the base of the figure, so it gives something for the base to sit on and a surface that doesn’t scratch any surfaces.

Dave