Packing & shipping large/giant planes!
09-22-2017, 03:37 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Packing & shipping large/giant planes!
I'm not an RC guy, but my friend, Nacho was, right up until his sudden passing early this year.
Since then, my wyfe and I have been helping his widow and kids to sell off his vehicles, boat, motorcycles and 30 years' worth of RC planes, cars, buggies, boats, engines, parts, batteries, radios, etc. I have posted up the bulk of the large scale planes in new, semi-new, decent, and rebuildable condition in the forum's Classified section, and have just sold one of the larger planes, a Great Planes Revolver which has an approx. 55" fuselage length, 28" tail width, and 14" tail height; my plan is to build a box with 2-4" additional on each side.
I'm starting with a selection of large empty boxes sourced from a nearby auto body shop; these are available every day of the week for free, and also typically include a variety of packing and stuffing materials. Total cost so far = $0.00.
Next, lay out the closest oversize box...
Looks like the nose is too long, so I'll remove the spinner & prop...
Had to remove the motor, too; the shaft was still too long.
Since then, my wyfe and I have been helping his widow and kids to sell off his vehicles, boat, motorcycles and 30 years' worth of RC planes, cars, buggies, boats, engines, parts, batteries, radios, etc. I have posted up the bulk of the large scale planes in new, semi-new, decent, and rebuildable condition in the forum's Classified section, and have just sold one of the larger planes, a Great Planes Revolver which has an approx. 55" fuselage length, 28" tail width, and 14" tail height; my plan is to build a box with 2-4" additional on each side.
I'm starting with a selection of large empty boxes sourced from a nearby auto body shop; these are available every day of the week for free, and also typically include a variety of packing and stuffing materials. Total cost so far = $0.00.
Next, lay out the closest oversize box...
Looks like the nose is too long, so I'll remove the spinner & prop...
Had to remove the motor, too; the shaft was still too long.
09-22-2017, 03:40 PM
#2
Yes it is truly a job to ship big planes. Also sometimes you can find water heater boxes.. or boxes from a furniture store. It takes a lot of care and risk to ship planes... doubling up the cardboard helps a lot as well.
09-22-2017, 03:50 PM
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
09-22-2017, 04:13 PM
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Now for some softening cushion for the tail elements...
Some air pillows for the nose section...
Added a bottom floor of thin masonite siding for rigidity; note the "arch" for a bit of cushion in the center of mass...
Now adding semi-stiff foam elements along the fuselage on both sides, once the box sides are formed, I'll pour in packing peanuts to fill the voids...
That's it for today, it's over 100F out in the shop. I'll finish in the cool of the morning.
Some air pillows for the nose section...
Added a bottom floor of thin masonite siding for rigidity; note the "arch" for a bit of cushion in the center of mass...
Now adding semi-stiff foam elements along the fuselage on both sides, once the box sides are formed, I'll pour in packing peanuts to fill the voids...
That's it for today, it's over 100F out in the shop. I'll finish in the cool of the morning.
09-23-2017, 09:46 AM
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Carved out another block to accommodate the top of the tail...
Protecting the elevator tips...
Folding and cutting additional sections of a 2nd box to almost complete the wrap...
I then stuck all my leftover bits and chunks of foam, and a bunch of packing peanuts in the tail end (no photo). As soon as I go get more tape, I'll secure all the cardboard joints and seams, then stand the box on it's tail and fill up the remaining space with packing peanuts.
I'll get a good shot of the open box and the final packing layout of the wings (side-by-side, opposite, for the first pair; then opposite layout of the second pair on top).
Cost so far - $18 for bubble wrap + $3 for wide clear tape = $21.00
Protecting the elevator tips...
Folding and cutting additional sections of a 2nd box to almost complete the wrap...
I then stuck all my leftover bits and chunks of foam, and a bunch of packing peanuts in the tail end (no photo). As soon as I go get more tape, I'll secure all the cardboard joints and seams, then stand the box on it's tail and fill up the remaining space with packing peanuts.
I'll get a good shot of the open box and the final packing layout of the wings (side-by-side, opposite, for the first pair; then opposite layout of the second pair on top).
Cost so far - $18 for bubble wrap + $3 for wide clear tape = $21.00
09-23-2017, 06:31 PM
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10-01-2017, 08:44 AM
#12
The bus lines are a great idea. Shipping through motor freight just invites a problem. For an expensive model I'd drive half way across the country before I'd let a freight company give a model its first crash.
10-27-2017, 09:56 PM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Transporting planes are a major uphill task. Each and every part should be handled with full care and safety. It would have been easier for you if you could hire a trustworthy shipping company that could help you with this task. Recently, my brother bought his vehicle in parts through an auto transport Fresno shipping company. Because of which my brother had a painless task of packaging and shipping his vehicle. They didn't cost him much because they're costing was totally depended on the type and size of vehicle, pick-up and drop location. No charging of deposits in advance. Maybe some other time you can avail their services.
Last edited by robertmace; 11-02-2017 at 09:11 PM.
