Well I've been to Oldhammer Weekend and back. I've finally finished processing the pictures and am in the process of doing some reports. I've been meaning to share my experience with travelling with minis again, I've just been busy. I wish I could tell you I was as successful as when I went to Brian's birthday in July, but alas no.
It started when I got there and opened up my case. I had failed to secure my two trolls and they became wrecking balls in the tray they were in. The Clukkatrix and Abdul Goldberg had paint chipped, the plastic black orc had his axe broken, the mother crushers banner pole got slightly bent and the Bad Axe Boyz banner pole was bent back 90 degrees over the bearers head. Not good.
I thought I had sorted things out for the trip back, but I had the handle slip from my hand on the jetway as I deplaned in Phoenix and below was the result when I unpacked. (It is quite possible that the Flight Attendant plying me with drink may have contributed. Two Gin and Tonics will do you right.)
So nothing for it but to sort through the figures and see who was damaged.
What's interesting is that almost all of the original 90's figures were undamaged. GW paints straight from the pot, no varnish. The Trolls for instance didn't take a scratch. In the picture above I'm not even certain that the green flocked orc is dinged. He looks unblemished now that I look at him again.
The army banner bearer has had his arms come unglued. They're held on by tension at the moment, I'm not sure how to fix him.
Lessons learned:
- Only bring the figures you need.
- At least 2 magnets on larger metal figures. Better yet wrap them up in clothes or bubble wrap.
- Space is your enemy. Tightly pack side to side and consider how to fill gaps in every dimension.
- Consider which ways your miniatures will tilt. Put weight towards bottom and back.
I haven't totally given up on this, but I'll need to do more to make sure it's not blind luck getting my minis to the event unscathed.
If you have any tips I'd love to hear them, and yes I do know that they make foam cases. I prefer to take my figures carry on and I haven't seen a foam system that meets the carry on size restrictions. None the less, I'd like to hear what works for you, however you do it.
Miniature transportation must be one of the names of the wargamer. Alas I have no better solution. I, too, am a fan of the magnetic system, although I would opt for foam if I was boarding a plane (make some sort of custom case, perhaps?)
ReplyDelete*banes not names
DeleteHi Anthony, foam is the safest but I'm taking one for the team and trying some alternatives. During the weekend we discussed using chunks of foam and I'll be outline my modifications.
DeleteI hate slotta bases. I think a foam based case is they way forward for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Simon. Foam may be the future. I'm going to use bits of foam I have on hand to retrofit this system. If I can't get it sorted, then foam only.
DeleteOuch, but I guess it could have been a lot worse.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael, yes it could have been a lot worse. Some of the figures just have a very minor chip on their base.
DeleteOh no!! Its heart-breaking to see Sean!
ReplyDeleteHi Ray, you're right. It's never pleasant to see your miniatures all in a jumble.
DeleteOuch! I think you're on the right lines: pack everything tightly! (As an aside, that's one reason why I don't like some of the newer GW stuff: the models have too many fragile-looking bits sticking out in all directions).
ReplyDeletePlastic peanuts as filler is flexible and cheap, but I'm always afraid of losing a model in such a "lucky dip" system. You might gain inspiration from an old article of mine (http://colgar6.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/boxing-miniatures.html). If I were travelling with these then I think I'd put another, tight layer of foam on top of the models and secure the box lid properly (heavy rubber bands?)...
Hi Hugh, thanks. Gorbut the Mighty (Army Standard Bearer) is a newer GW plastic and he is the most difficult to pack with his bits and bobs all going in different directions. I'm not quite sure how to effect a repair on his arms. I do have an idea for using some kind of "board" rubber banded in place over each tray. I need to work out a design.
DeleteYikes! A sorry state and no mistake mate. Hopefully nothing is beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteThanks Millsy, most things are just superficial paint chips. The hardest part is remembering what paints I used, since my paint notebook is next to non existent. If you have any tips for re-attaching the plastic Orc arms I'd love to hear them. A combnation of tension and the fiddly bits on his cloak are the only things holding them on.
DeleteThat is the worst! Even with foam trays I sometimes break models due to just getting stuck in foam.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest filling some of the extra space with foam pieces though. Find some of the spiky foam and fit it to the lid, that way it presses down on the models and holds them in place. Or chunks of foam glued to magnets that you can place around things like the trolls
Hi Joe, yes foam and bubble wrap. I did have an idea for making magnetized foam dividers. I will share my experiments.
DeleteEek! Nightmare. Just glad it wasn't any worse.
ReplyDeleteHi Gordon, thanks. Yeah. The only only thing that makes up for it is how much fun I had actually playing with my figures.
DeleteGood gawds what a nightmare! All the time and effort just to get dinged to bollocks by misfortune. :(
ReplyDeleteGlad it wasn't worse though.
Thanks Dai, you got that right. But as everyone has said, it could've been worse.
DeleteOuch! No idea what to suggest tbh not something i've dabbled with i'm sure you'll figure it out. Perhaps add some metal strip to the bases or something or maybe those magnetics sheets you can buy trimmed down.
ReplyDeleteHi Simon, yeah there's a lot of magnets in thee already. I'll keep everyone posted on how I try to solve this issue.
DeleteThe best transport i've used was a battlefoam case and I strapped it into my checked bag when I flew to Games Day in Chicago one year. I tried using the magnetic transport when I drove to Maryland in July and ended up having to do some repairs. I think the magnetic tray/tub system is great for storage at home and for mvoing stuff around a gaming hall but terrible for transport. I bought some "Dave's Baggage Train" just to test it out and I like it, but i'm sticking to foam for transporting larger unbalanced models. I think magnets would work great for plastics.... but plastics are for degenerates.
ReplyDelete