What\'s the best method of packing dragons for shipping?

[Edokun]

I have an almost complete set of these dragons (missing two) from series 1, complete with the jewel and altar, and the Sea Dragon from series 2. While they were painted in my early days of the hobby, I no longer have the room to keep \'em.

Before selling, I\'d like to find out what\'s the best way to pack these beasties so they don\'t get damaged in transport or mishandled when customs officials tear into the package for inspection. The last batch of minis I mailed out was torn into; the warp nacelles from the Starfleet Battles minis were either bent or snapped off by Customs Inspectors, and this was after using a courier service! Fortunately, the buyer was cool and it was nothing a dab of crazy glue couldn\'t fix.

The red dragon is especially challenging to properly pack and protect. A pic can be found at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/sol/grenadier/images/2502.jpg

Suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[rosac]

i would say in a huge, fireproof and sound proof box made of virtually indestructible metal....

or maybe a part of foam from a figure carry case with modifications to make it the right size?

rosac

 

[Naukhel]

Assuming you\'re trying to ship it intact...

Bubble wrap. Foam packing bits. Box.
Put that box in another box, and surround it by still more packing foam.
It\'ll make for a larger package, but the doubled foam should keep it safe.

 

[airhead]

First, I\'d glue it to a base that is the size of the box bottom.

Layer of foam rubber,
Base with dragon,
Lots of foam peanuts.

Leave a couple of inches all around the dragon - don\'t get a box that \"fits\". Get one where they dragon is protected by lots of foam and air.

Then, put that box in a bigger box with anouther layer of foam peanuts all around.

Also, put address and return address inside the box in case something happens.

 

[Bengoodall]

Two ideas, first, dragons have wings, problem??

And, failing that, go for a drive?

 

[hubbabubba]

Well, to get the dragon in the box, I\'d use elephant tranquilisers, just leave a couple of dead elves outside the wyrms cave and pop it with a tranquilier dart, on the soft underbelly mind, while its woofing them elves down.
Once the beasties passed out, you\'ll need some kinda reinforced shipping crate and a crane to lift it in there.....:yawn:

 

[Edokun]

Thanks for the all the tips, humorous and real.

I forgot to mention that these are Grenadier\'s Dragon of the Month minis, from back in the early 90\'s, that I\'m planning on selling off. I hope there\'s interest in them.

Originally, I was thinking of cellophane wrap around the dragon and spray on expanding foam that would become 4-5 pieces for a custom fit. But I fear Customs would only chip away at it just to see what\'s in there.

 

[Bengoodall]

Ooh, on that idea, could you make a several part, pull apart custom shaped thing to protect it.

So if you used plastic wrap to isolate areas of it, and use spray foam to form basically a multi part mold.