Transport of ship models
Ship models can be
delivered everywhere, by a parcel service or transport companies, or by air
cargo to any place, but one has to take special precautions. Transportation of
model ships is a difficult affair, because model ships are sensitive and can easily be damaged or destroyed.
The smaller
models like the gunboat can be secured in a big box or a
crate and be sent with some package delivery service. The marking "Fragile!" does not really ensure a more careful treatment,
as several tests by a German consumer product testing company (Stiftung
Warentest) have found out. With a normal parcel service it is simply good luck or bad luck, whether the individual box is treated
roughly or not during transport. Only smaller models can be sent
safely this way.
However, already with the medium sized
cutter SHARKE,
one would have to use some special parcel service, which is paid higher for its more careful handling
like e.g. reloading by hand (and not using sorting machines).
If you want to buy several smaller ship models or
one of the larger ones, like the
chebec INDISCRET or the
NORSKE LOEVE, ,
the best way of commercial transport is in a wooden box. Depending on weight the
box should be set on a pallet, to facilitate handling by fork lifts. In such
boxes the ship models can be transported safely.
1.5 m long transport box with a VICTORY model on a pallet, for
trucking to Switzerland. The freight cost were about 250 Euro (in July 2009).
Larger distances
to countries abroad go only by air freight. The ship models have to be fixed in
a suitable air cargo box.
To give you an idea: the air freight for a model
like the DIANA shown above from Germany to USA is about 300 - 500 Euro (as of
July 2009).
This air cargo transport box with a 1.3 m model of a VICTORY
had a total weight of 70 kg. To
facilitate handling by fork lifts it got some blocks
underneath.
A 80 cm model in a somewhat smaller air
cargo box. Total weight was 38 kg.
If you live in
Germany or a country nearby, the best and most economical method may be
picking up the model ships to buy by yourself with a suitable passenger car or a larger
rental car. In a passenger car the ship model is stabilized by blankets and cushions.
The ship must be put somewhat slanting, as the mastheads must be kept clear from
the car ceiling.
.
Another
very good method is fixing the large models like this NORSKE LOEVE to a
transport board, if the car is big enough. This one went to Norway.
I transported many ship models in such a
way or asked buyers to come and fetch
them. So
far, it was always done without damages. In
addition, this is the chance for the buyer for a final check whether he or she really likes the model
after seeing only photos so far. However, till today there were more than
four dozen look-and-take-home sales via this webpage. Only once a potential buyer withdrew
after having a thorough inspection of his model.
This photo shows the delivery of six models with 1 - 1.4 m length to a
hotel at the Baltic Sea.
The models are fixed to transport boards and
stabilized by polystyrene blocks.
Transport of a 2 m model of the
American frigate CONSTITUTION.
If you are interested in one of the ship models and have
questions on ways of transport, please call me.
Do so also with the other model ship makers who sell their pieces by this
webpage. Call them. We will always find a solution that works.
|
