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Hey guys,

So, I have been thinking about this for a while and am more than a little stumped as to how to go about doing this. I'm a studying internationally in the US, but I go back home over the summer and winter breaks, and during these breaks I spend a lot of time at my FLGS. Now, I REALLY want to be able to travel with my Army (and the stuff I need to work with them), but I just can't seem to figure out a practical way of doing it. I'm literally looking for a way to carry:

1. My army, individual models on 25mms and 40mms, to MCs, tanks, and flyers
2. My "modelling kit", i.e. glue, sandpaper, clippers, drills etc.
3. My bits box
4. My paints, including sprays, etc.

I've heard some horror stories from friends who checked in their army cases, only for their army to arrive in damaged conditions. Also, there's no way to properly lock these cases like a suitcase. I've debated hand-carrying them on, but I won't be able to bring on things like my kit and paints, not to mention I'll be travelling non-stop for 32 hours and carrying a case isn't the most convenient thing around, not to mention some airlines only allow 1 piece of carry-on. I usually travel light on hand-carry, just a backpack with some food, my laptop, and a book/magazine to read (and more often than not my codex).

Shipping is an option that I have, but not the most ideal, as I'd have to pay for shipping each time and wait for over a month for it to arrive, which isn't time-effective when I come home for the summer and winter breaks. It's also subject to the same issues as checking-in a miniature case.

Hope you guys can help me out here!

The only way is to pack them up as safely as you can, charter something to send to your location (never use the airplane obviously), and pray.

Your going to have an issue taking the whole army, or trying to get a larger army bag.

I go with a small plastic box that you can put the paints and stuff in, while you have small compartments in there to put the guys. I tend to not travel with more then around 20 or so guys, based on the close quarters of the airplane. Paintings more about a little paint on the brush, cap it real quick, and even then paintins one of those maybe you get to, maybe you don't things. More or less its the book, and movie route, or there abouts.

Brushes in a small toothbrush carrier, and the small bag that you can put the guys and the compartment box into.

There are several ways in that you can get a bag, the compartment boxes go in the bag, and you can hand carry that bag, instead of the backpack. ( or even that being the backpack.)

There are several companies that make there types of bags for the guys. they wil have no issue telling you all about them, as well.

What about interspersing your minis wrapped in layers of foam and bubble wrap in your suitcase?

The minis would be packed in an almost immobile state between several layers of good thick clothing, would make for excellent protection?

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Again, shipping from location-to-location isn't the most ideal for me, since that's time wasted. On hindsight, bringing an entire army back isn't going to be such a practical idea. I'm probably better off re-starting my Chaos army there from the ground-up (20% off GW retail wheee) if/when the 'dex comes out, anyway.

With that out of the question (for now), bringing paints back isn't such a big hassle anymore. However, it does look that if I wanted to bring this Chaos army back home, it's going to take up significant amounts of space in my checked-in luggage. Have you guys any suggestions for vehicles like Storm Ravens, Valks, and especially a Dread Knight mounted on a base?

I don't travel at all with miniatures, but it would seem relatively easy to pack hobby stuff into checked luggage. However, I would be sure to check with the airlines about packing any types of sprays or aerosols. As for transporting your army to the other side of the planet a couple times a year, I can think of only one practical solution: have a "home" army and an "away" army. Based upon what you're saying, it makes sense to start a second (maybe smaller) army and keep that at whichever place you play the least. It may not be ideal, but at least it would give you the option to do some hobby work and play smaller games of 40K. Heck, wih the new allies rules, it would probably be a great idea to start something small just to have the options for when you're more settled.

I would bring just a small amount of mini's away with me from time to time, just to paint them. A small project to work on with whatever time I have spare. Then you can always return to your big armies and bits boxes when you're on holidays.

Perhaps you can find a modelling club who have a set of club paints, that way you can use all their paints during club time instead of shipping all of yours?

I am in a similar position.
My solution was to have two sets of modelling supplies, and two different armies, one in each location.
When I'm in the UK, I use my Ork army, in the Middle East, I use Dark Eldar.

The thing is, I don't play 40k when I'm off for studies. The local game clubs nearby all charge ridiculous fees for membership and table use. I like painting, and I like to take my time painting - it helps calm my nerves, pass the time, and builds my patience lol.

With the rumored new Chaos 'dex coming out, I want to get some more painting and stuff done, but I won't necessarily be playing 40k while I'm off for studies, so keeping a "home" army and an "away" army doesn't make sense, since my "away" army will never be played.

Maybe an idea would be to take all my characters and vehicles there, and lavish stupendous amounts of time on those few units. Heh.

Look around to see if you can find one of the hard cases they make for cameras and electronic equipment. Something like this:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Pelican-1620-Hard-Case-Review.aspx

I managed to pick up a couple of them used for $20 each a few years back.

After that - figure out which variety of foam and packaging you want to go with. I actually ended up using the dividers mine came with as it was originally set up to carry around chemical testing equipment (had a lot of small compartments for sample bottles, testing reagents and the like). The other one I cut some trays out of a somewhat rigid foam to keep my tools and stuff in. When I have a long business trip to go on - I take a project that I am working on and the stuff which I need to work on it with.

4. My paints, including sprays, etc.

That would likely be your main problem. Most airlines don't like aerosols.

Pelican is expensive, but very good quality. Make sure you sue airline-friendly locks, too. US travel requires TSA locks, for example.

Yah - was mostly the first one that popped up on a quick Google search. I bought mine second (or third) hand - not even quite sure which brand they are.

It is the overall concept though to look for. The hard cases are nice because even if they are at the bottom of a pile of luggage or punted from the cargo hold by a disgruntled baggage handler, the case holds up well. Soft sided cases require a much more durable and better designed lining in order to keep what is inside safe.

i travel a lot, and have done for the last 20 years...
i take my paints and minis everywhere i go...

i use a Sabol army transport to carry my minis, as it holds a ton, and you can carry it on the plane (it fits perfectly in the overhead compartment)...
my paints and supplies get checked in my rucksack...

for my paints and brushes i have an Art Bin...
it's just a fishing tackle box with a fancy label...
i have made it less bouguoise with the application of a sticker that says, "f**k art, let's kill!", which i find very funny, since we paint toy soldiers...

my modeling supplies go in a seperate plastic pencil case, the kind you find at a cheap dollar store...
this is sealed in a ziplock bag, as super glue explodes every once in a while...
probably thanks to pressure changes as the plane descends...

i've circled the globe with these three cases...
the pencil case and tackle box fit fine in my pack, and i've never been made to check my Army Transport...
i do get a lot of interesting looks when i go through security with a box of toys, though...

best of luck...

cheers
jah

Are there budgetary requirements?
Battlefoam makes miniature cases that, IMO, are among the best. They're hard sided and airline friendly, though the larger ones simply cannot be used as carry on.

The foam in a BF case is firm, so it holds the models in place while they're being jostled around.

If you've got the money to invest, I strongly recommend looking @ Battle Foam.

Oh, and, as already stated, don't try to bring spray cans or superglue with you. Just buy some at home to use while you're there.
...and maybe pack your paints in ziploc bags, if you're going to put them in checked luggage? Better safe than sorry.

Eric