A cautionary tale

[me_in_japan]

I just now got round to unpacking my stuff that I brought over to Scotland. Of the 35pt Cryx that I brought over, the following was observed:

One of my bile thralls was bent at a 90degree angle at his ankles. (ie was face-down, but still attached to his tab in the base). Paint flaked off all around his ankles.
All 3 of the withershadow combine were snapped off their tabs
My warwitch siren's sword arm was bent back at an extreme angle, and was attached only by the pin in her shoulder joint (now bent)
Heavy wreck marker was not only chipped to all hell, but actually had new gouges in it. Thank the dragonfather it was a bloody wreck marker!
The egregore was not only chipped to hell (and I ain't talking scratches here. I mean 3-4sq mm of paint flaked off in many places) but had also lost one of its spikes. Now, this wasn't a big spike. I'd have had trouble trying to pull off this wee, stubby spike myself if I'd ever tried.
Slayer hell jack's arm broken off at the magnet joint (very fixable though)
Malice helljack's harpoon arm snapped off at the elbow. This wasnt a joint, this is one single piece of plastic that has been snapped clean through. Will be a bitch to fix.
Necrotech snapped off his base (given he is a pretty squat mini, attached at 4 separate points to the base, this is pretty impressive)
My leviathan helljack was not only snapped off his base, but all 4 legs are wobbly in their sockets. It should be noted that he was attached to his base by having his feet embedded in 5mm of solid resin and his legs are attached to his body by 2 part epoxy. I mean ffs, how much harder could I have tried???


Now, you all know how anal I am about painting minis. Its hardly the first time ive had to transport minis. Heck, its hardly the first time ive taken minis overseas. When I transport them I wrap em up goooooood. I can only speculate as to what the baggage handlers were doing with my case. Playing rugby, perhaps. Practicing their drop kicks, maybe.

Anyway, lesson learned. Never. Ever. EVER. Take minis on a plane.

Just say no, kids.

[The Other Dave]

Ouf. That's not fun.

How were you transporting them? When I traveled internationally with minis, I found that a Citadel case packed snugly inside a suitcase did the trick. Soft-sided minis cases, though, yeah, I'd never travel with unless I was carrying them on.

[me_in_japan]

Travelling with the baby, I was very tight for space, so I had to use a cardboard box stuffed (tightly) with lots of foam and bubble wrap. Said box was then placed between a little nest of books, which were duly wrapped in clothes and similar shock absorbing materials. I appreciate its hardly a professional solution, but it's worked every time for the 8 years (ie 16 flights or so.)

Except this one, obviously...

[Spevna]

Man up.

Grow a pair.

Wrap your minis in a manlier fashion ( except baggage handlers are borderline fu**-tards and know no better).

Thus spoke the (drunk, very, Spevna).



PS. Hope you had a good time back home mate.

[Primarch]

Not my most recent trip to the UK, but I packed all my minis in GW cases and they came through safe and sound. But as a rule of thumb, transporting models in anything less than form fitting foam seems like a bad idea, especially when UK customs likes to try to destroy anything they can't steal/sell.

[ashmie]

Welcome back Dave. I've got the matt spray you requested from army painter. Pop round after work or I'll drop it round sometime. Sorry to hear about your minis. I guess take your battle foam next time I guess.

[DarkElves>All]

Sorry to hear your stuff got trashed.

I've had the shit kicked out of cool stuff on international flights before. Can happen. Do you think you can claim anything on insurance?