Ekis Posted March 30, 2021 Share #1 Posted March 30, 2021 (edited) Hello all, I need help of the modelers community living in California ! 😃 I built for a friend a Bleriot XI identical to the one I presented here. It is a 1/10th scale model from the Amati kit. I am French and I live in France. When I sent the model to my friend, I took absolutely every precaution to pack it in a parcel made by me, extremely solid, and protected the Blériot in tissue paper, bubble wrap, Styrofoam chips, etc ... In a large double box of triple cardboard made for the furniture, reinforced inside with wooden frames! We had chosen a decent carrier for the USA (UPS) which cost a certain amount of money. But this was without counting on the brutality of the customs (fr or US), or of the different transport drivers... We don't know yet, no feedback on the claim filed with UPS. The plane arrived with important damages ... To the great sadness of my friend and myself, of course. I could use someone living near Santa Barbara to diagnose the damage and assess the repairs. If anyone feels brave enough to do so, please get in touch in PM. Thanks in advance ! Edited March 30, 2021 by Ekis Ryland Craze, Keith Black, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catopower Posted March 30, 2021 Share #2 Posted March 30, 2021 Hello Ekis, Sorry to hear about the model damage. That's very saddening. It's difficult to find a way to ship models safely. I don't think I'm the person to help you out, I live up in the San Francisco Bay Area. But, my elderly mother lives in the northern part of Santa Barbara county, and I do have to travel back and forth a bit as I'm in the process of selling the family house. If you don't get any good responses, send me a PM. I also have modeler contacts in Ventura and San Luis Obispo areas, which are neighboring counties, an hour away from Santa Barbara, and maybe they can help find someone for you. Ryland Craze, Ekis, Keith Black and 2 others 3 2 Quote Clare Hess He's a -> "HE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted March 30, 2021 Thank you very much for your reply, it would be my pleasure to accept your help with this problem. I will send you a PM for contact details. mtaylor 1 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted March 30, 2021 Share #4 Posted March 30, 2021 I'm sorry to read of the damage to your model. For important and delicate models, the only reliable way to ship them is to use a professional art, museum and antique moving company. It is expensive, but far safer. Over many years, I've only ever had one model damaged. Insurance covered not only the cost of repair, but my travel and accommodation as well. The company I dealt with was professional and prompt in responding. Keith Black, allanyed, mtaylor and 3 others 3 3 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catopower Posted March 30, 2021 Share #5 Posted March 30, 2021 Hello Ekis, I got your PM with all the info. But, If there is someone here who lives in the Santa Barbara area, that's probably best. If not, I'll see if there is something I can do to help! mtaylor, Ryland Craze and Keith Black 3 Quote Clare Hess He's a -> "HE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted March 30, 2021 For the moment, you are the only one who had the kindness to answer... But if you know someone closer, don't hesitate to communicate the phone number! ☺️ mtaylor and Keith Black 2 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccoyle Posted March 30, 2021 Share #7 Posted March 30, 2021 Hi, Ekis. I didn't respond earlier because I am now in South Carolina, so not close enough to be of much help. Two other options you might try are contacting the Ship Modelers Association (Fullerton) and the CIMM Ship Model Guild (Oxnard). One or the other of these clubs might have a member interested in doing the work. Hope that helps. mtaylor, Keith Black and Ryland Craze 3 Quote Chris Coyle Greer, South Carolina When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk. - Tuco Current builds: Brigantine Phoenix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allanyed Posted March 30, 2021 Share #8 Posted March 30, 2021 I second what Druxey posted. I have had the good fortune to have models shipped from the US to Europe on several occasions and to various parts of the US with only two minor bumps that had to be fixed and were easily done by the buyer or a friend of the buyer. Antiques and art shippers are definitely the way to go. They are professionals at this and take full responsibility. They carry insurance based on the value that you give them for the model just in case, and photograph everything as the process goes along. UPS, FedEx, DHL et al are not always very good handlers of delicate items and should be avoided completely for this kind of shipment. It is not a cheap proposition, but worth it in the end. Keith Black, Bob Cleek, mtaylor and 1 other 3 1 Quote PLEASE take 30 SECONDS and sign up for the epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series. Click on http://trafalgar.tv There is no cost other than the 30 seconds of your time. THANK YOU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted March 30, 2021 Author Share #9 Posted March 30, 2021 Thank you for the links and for the answers! 👍 It would be nice to put the contact information for the transportation companies you use here. For poor Bleriot, it's too late, but another time, it might be helpful. mtaylor, Ryland Craze, ccoyle and 1 other 4 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted September 28, 2021 Author Share #10 Posted September 28, 2021 I'm bringing up this topic to give some good news. It's quite exceptional, but after months of persistence in France on my side and in the USA on the side of my recipient (who had received this completely broken Blériot), the totality of the insurance for damage was paid by UPS! The reimbursement includes not only the shipping cost, but also the total cost of the model and the assembly work. Carriers never reimburse individuals, even in case of insurance... It doesn't fix the Blériot, but at least there is no financial loss! We had to harass them since April! EricWilliamMarshall, druxey, bruce d and 6 others 9 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtdoramike Posted September 28, 2021 Share #11 Posted September 28, 2021 I always build a wooden frame around the model, staple cardboard to the exterior of the frame and fill the void with packing material. I have only had one model get damaged by Fedex out of close to 100 models shipped. EricWilliamMarshall and mtaylor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cleek Posted September 28, 2021 Share #12 Posted September 28, 2021 8 hours ago, mtdoramike said: I always build a wooden frame around the model, staple cardboard to the exterior of the frame and fill the void with packing material. I have only had one model get damaged by Fedex out of close to 100 models shipped. That must be the one I have on my bench right now. A nice sailing model of a three masted coasting schooner? It was consigned to FedEx. They put it in a big box and filled the box with "packing peanuts." Apparently, when the box was turned upside down and dropped in transit, all three mast tops and the bowsprit "went bye-bye." The sails and rigging looked like a bored alley cat had at it. LIke the bumpersticker says, "Do it right. Do it once. Hire a licensed contractor!" Fine art and antique specialist shippers are the only way to go. Pay the premium and save the grief. mtaylor, Roger Pellett and druxey 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted September 29, 2021 Author Share #13 Posted September 29, 2021 The model sent (and destroyed!) by UPS was well packed: triple cardboard box with triple fluting, wrapping the plane in tissue paper, then bubble wrap everywhere in double thickness, then polystyrene chips to fill the volume. The box was stiffened by an interior wooden frame on all edges. All the sides were lined with self-adhesive labels to indicate the side to be placed and to warn about the fragility of handling. I would add that the package was designated as fragile by the UPS services, and the shipping bill written by this company warned the various parties involved that the price included a special transport! But you can build the strongest box in the world, when it is thrown from the top of a truck or jumped on, or used as a base for tens of kilos on top, no wooden model inside can resist such treatment. This is just incompetence and disrespect of their own rules. Bob Cleek, EricWilliamMarshall, mtaylor and 1 other 3 1 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
druxey Posted September 29, 2021 Share #14 Posted September 29, 2021 I note that professional art movers pack ship models in a very sturdy wooden crate (at least 1x 3 faming and 3/4" ply), secured well to its base but with a good volume of air around them, not packing materials such as styro peanuts or whatever. Should a side get pushed inward (unlikely due to the sturdiness), the force is absorbed by the wood, not transmitted by the styro to the model. These crates are fitted with large labels, with shock and tilt meters that will record any 'incident'. Bob Cleek, EricWilliamMarshall, mtaylor and 1 other 4 Quote Be sure to sign up for an epic Nelson/Trafalgar project if you would like to see it made into a TV series http://trafalgar.tv Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack12477 Posted September 29, 2021 Share #15 Posted September 29, 2021 3 hours ago, Ekis said: The model sent (and destroyed!) by UPS Yep ! That's why some of us refer to them as United Parcel Smashers Ekis and mtaylor 1 1 Quote Jack "No one is as smart as all of us" - Is ón cheann a thagann an cheird The craft comes from the head --------------------------------------------- Current build: US Constellation Non-ship builds: USCG UH-65A Dolphin M16 Multi-gun motor carriage diorama M4A3 Sherman Tanks dioramas 1936-1939 Mercedes Benz 540K 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II JSDF Light Armor Vehicle Figures: The Last Bridge: Raider Reaper Edge of Universe: Ianis The Last Bridge: Vadim with cart Completed build log(s): 18th Century Longboat , Marie Jeanne, Willie L Bennett 1888 50 ft Gaff-rigged Ice Yacht Scratch Build The Sullivans (DD 537) Liberty Ship SS John W Brown USS England (DE 635), Artesania Latina Titanic Lifeboat Gallery: Swift , Armed Virginia Sloop, Santisima Trinidad Captain's Launch , 18th Century Longboat , Marie Jeanne Other: Rhinebeck Aerodrome Tour Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted October 3, 2021 Share #16 Posted October 3, 2021 Glad it worked out financially for you,, but it’s a shame about the model😪 mtaylor 1 Quote John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted October 4, 2021 Author Share #17 Posted October 4, 2021 I really agree with you! But it's also satisfying to know that my California recipient didn't lose any money in the process. Likewise, it is also a comfort to know that a private individual can win from a company of this size and with such bad faith! mtaylor 1 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rik Thistle Posted October 4, 2021 Share #18 Posted October 4, 2021 I would be interesting to know what specialist delivery companies do different. Do they control the shipping environment completely from A to B? Here is only one stage in the delivery of 'normal' packages ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_w7uSnOj0 From what I've seen and know, marking normal packages with Fragile and/or This Way Up makes no difference whatsoever, unless the item is mounted on a pallet and moved by forklift so improving it's survival chances somewhat. If a valuable three masted ship with lots of rigging, say, was being shipped around the world then what is the optimum solution?... - Design the hull (the part with most mass) so that it can be rigidly fixed to a base plate, and leave the masts/rigging mounted and in free space. - Remove parts from the ship that might work loose in transit and put them is a separate box rather than them becoming missiles. - Securely mount the base plate in an extremely tough box that always maintains a gap of at least 150mm from any part of the ship. - Do not use peanut type packing, or any for that matter, that can contact any parts of the ship. - One of the flaws with the above is that the masts, if suddenly accelerated back and forth (and upside down), may not be able to take shock loading. - Do 'insured' packages have a big 'Insurance' label on them that the handlers see so know that their employers will not be happy if those particular goods get damaged? Just thinking aloud. Richard mtaylor 1 Quote Current build: U.S. Army K51 Radio Truck with K52 Trailer - 1944 - MiniArt - 1:35 Next build: PM Research Crank Shaper - late 1800s - 1:12 Part finished: HMS Flirt (MSE) - 1782 Vanguard Models - 1:64 Finished: Archer anti-tank gun Diorama - 1944 -Tamiya 1:35 : Churchill MkVII tank Diorama - Tamiya - 1:35 - 1944 : Sherman Firefly Tank Diorama - Revell - 1/76 - WWII : Humber MkII Scout Car Diorama - - Revell - 1:76 - WWII : PM Research Drill Press - 1895 - 1:12 : PM Research Milling Machine - late 1800s - 1:12 (est) : Stuart Engineering Lathe - late 1800s - 1:12 (est) : Stuart Beam model steam engine - 1770s onwards - 1:12 (est) : Stuart 10V model steam engine circa 1920s - 1:12 (est) : Lady Eleanor Fifie Circa 1900 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 : Dallas Cutter 1815 - Artesania Latina - 1:50 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted October 4, 2021 Share #19 Posted October 4, 2021 1 hour ago, Rik Thistle said: If a valuable three masted ship with lots of rigging, say, was being shipped around the world then what is the optimum solution?... - Design the hull (the part with most mass) so that it can be rigidly fixed to a base plate, and leave the masts/rigging mounted and in free space. - Remove parts from the ship that might work loose in transit and put them is a separate box rather than them becoming missiles. - Securely mount the base plate in an extremely tough box that always maintains a gap of at least 150mm from any part of the ship. - Do not use peanut type packing, or any for that matter, that can contact any parts of the ship. - One of the flaws with the above is that the masts, if suddenly accelerated back and forth (and upside down), may not be able to take shock loading. - Do 'insured' packages have a big 'Insurance' label on them that the handlers see so know that their employers will not be happy if those particular goods get damaged? Just thinking aloud. Richard One of our Ukraine members (if I remember right) basically builds his models to be shipped with removable masts and rigging and then goes onsite to uncrate and put the rigging and masts into place. As for most shippers.... they hire the cheapest labor they can get. Rik Thistle and EricWilliamMarshall 2 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catopower Posted November 7, 2021 Share #20 Posted November 7, 2021 A fellow ship modeler out here in the SF Bay Area built a wooden crate that the model is secured to at the base. He did this for his scratch built model of the Philedelphia, which the Lake Champlain Museum wanted. The cost to ship by a shipping company, not the generic shipping companies like UPS, but some trucking company that probably trucks things around the country, was $2000. As someone at the museum was flying out to visit family in California, they made a stop in the area and took the model and bought a seat for it on the flight. They had to remove it from the crate, but then it fit nicely on the seat, and made the trip safe and sound. Apparently, the airline and airport staff were really great about it. I think everyone thought it was pretty cool that it had it's own seat on the plane. mtaylor and EricWilliamMarshall 2 Quote Clare Hess He's a -> "HE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catopower Posted November 7, 2021 Share #21 Posted November 7, 2021 (edited) By the way, Ekis, is there any word on the repair of the Bleriot model? Did someone ever connect with your friend to do a repair? Edited November 7, 2021 by catopower Quote Clare Hess He's a -> "HE" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekis Posted November 7, 2021 Author Share #22 Posted November 7, 2021 So no, no one came forward to offer their services (for a fee) to try to repair this Blériot. That's a shame... 😑 mtaylor 1 Quote Work: www.flickr.com/photos/133075291@N04/albums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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