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So I'm thinking about getting a new figure case, fed up with my old Citadel cases with the foam trays with rectangular holes and want a more flexible & high density insert. The good thing about them for me is they fit perfectly into my panniers, making the journey to GW/FLGS much easier. But they're a bit short on space, especially if I want to take a spiky Land Raider and a flyer with big wingspan.

Rucksacks are out, my lumbar doesn't get on with them and I'd rather not turn up for a game with a sweaty back. I like the look of the Citadel Battle figure case. All those chunky bits would let it sit on top of my panniers and give bungee ropes plenty of purchase. Not sure if it will fit my Hell Talon...?

You can get alternative foam from other suppliers; Figures In Comfort foam trays fit into the GW cases, and they do a "pick and pluck" option which lets you create custom holes for your large or oddly-sized miniatures.

I have had good luck with the "new" GW cases with the scrunchy zig-zag foam that compresses around the models and it works really well. Only issue is that you will want to empty the cases out when you get home so as to protect the foam and let it recover from being squished up by the models. Otherwise, they are solid cases (even impressed the local Warmahordes players at one point!).

Yeah, the zigzags look much better than the other foam inlays I've seen. I've got a pick & pluck tray, which is a definite improvement on the rectangular holes, but it seems to be an inefficient use of space for anything smaller than a greater Daemon.

What would be awesome is a case with a fitting point for a pannier mount!

Most pistol cases have eggcrate style foam and are the same size as the standard Citadel case.

Pistol cases or a battlefoam strapped on the back of a touring bike

What kinda bike do you have

does it have a back side rack?

you could probably stack up like 2-4 cases on the back with a bunge cord.

alternatively snapware tubs, sheet metal and magnets for troops, and foam lined tubs for tanks can fit pretty much everything.

though dont fall otherwise they may all break.

If you have a rear rack, then I would suggest bolting a large wooden or plastic box/container to that and just filling it up with individually boxed large models and/or foam that you either cut specially for those or trays for infantry. The panniers will work for thinner boxes maybe two foam trays or three deep I would imagine, but for larger models I would want a box fixed to the back. Around here, it is common for people to bolt large plastic milkcrates or soda bottle trays to the racks, then to use these as a base to strap other boxes and keep them secure. If you bolt on a covered plastic box then you can have protection from rain or whatever. If you use wing nuts or something similar then you can get it on and off a bit more quickly... When I graduated from university, I bolted a big wooden wine box to my rear bike rack and used to be able to cart around two cases of cold beer without difficulty.

Hmm. It's a mountain bike with a rack and two panniers. One can hold an old Citadel case but it's not enough for big stuff, especially for 15m. A bolted platform could help hold steady the double sized Citadel case, already suited to bungees with its chunky edges, and as a bonus would be a raincover for the panniers.

Pistol cases are a pain to find in a country with few pistols shops.
I would have said the backpack options which most case makers sell, but you've ruled them out.
If the bolted platform is viable, keeping the weight of the cases down will get you more on there. KR's cardboard cases might be the best here, in a Kaiser bags.
List a few of the more awkward models you have, and I'll see if their cases would be any good for you.
Get some of their slimmer aluminium cases for the panniers.

 Skinnereal wrote:
Pistol cases are a pain to find in a country with few pistols shops.

You will find cases that are nearly identical (except perhaps price) as "Camera hard cases" as well. Photography is usually generally accepted and more readily available around the world, so that could be a way to locate some.

Another possibility if you're near-ish to the coast is fishing boxes. They often have numerous small compartments suitable for holding models, and from various blister packs and the like I found I had a more than ample amount of foam to put inside them where needed. When fishing seasons approach they can often be found dirt cheap as well. While the brand is unlikely to be available in the UK, something like Bass Pro Bag accommodates my Dropfleet forces quite well, and during their fishing sale was $20 with 4 boxes (and even less if you knew an employee who was willing to furnish their discount *cough*). Fishing is generally a popular hobby, and thus the prices are usually more reasonable than dedicated miniatures stuff though they do need a bit more tweaking to protect your stuff.

 Skinnereal wrote:
List a few of the more awkward models you have, and I'll see if their cases would be any good for you.

Chaos Hell Talon, Heldrake, four Forge/Maulerfiends, super spikey Land Raider, Scythed Heirodule, three Arachnarok Spiders, Fortress of Arrogance

 lindsay40k wrote:

 Skinnereal wrote:
List a few of the more awkward models you have, and I'll see if their cases would be any good for you.

Chaos Hell Talon, Heldrake, four Forge/Maulerfiends, super spikey Land Raider, Scythed Heirodule, three Arachnarok Spiders, Fortress of Arrogance

Man that heldrake is probably the most PITA model to put anywhere.

Spiky stuff to in foam not so much on magnets.

I think the solution here is solid cases w/ decent foam placed in some form of backpack. 40K and its ever-increasing scale simply isn't a fantastically mobile game.

 Elbows wrote:
I think the solution here is solid cases w/ decent foam placed in some form of backpack. 40K and its ever-increasing scale simply isn't a fantastically mobile game.

Id consider a mix of foam and magnetic tubs. you can fit a TON of troops in a single magnetic box vs like 30 in a standard foam tray. like easily 90 28mm bases with all sorts of shapes and poses. id go with foam trays for tanks. (on standard 8/12 sheet flashing from home depot)

I really can't see magnets working with all the jolts involved in a bike ride. There's some rough terrain on my routes.

For the Heldrake you should rig up a mount on the front wheel or handlebars. Like an evil hood ornament for your bike. Let those ignorant loyalists know to get out of your way!

Sell your useless Chaos army and buy a car

 Nevelon wrote:
For the Heldrake you should rig up a mount on the front wheel or handlebars. Like an evil hood ornament for your bike. Let those ignorant loyalists know to get out of your way!

I have a large front handlebar mounted basket of sorts - aluminum and black nylon. It detaches for carrying about. That would easily fit a stompa in its own box. That is a good idea, actually.

Along with that, I would again suggest individually boxing those big models and tossing them into the rear mounted crate.
I am also serious about bolting that thing down - I would not trust to bungees with rough terrain especially.

This is basically what I am thinking about:


But, a solid plastic container with a top would also be cool, or a ton of other things. Anyways, whatever you decide to do, please post a pic or two. I am curious to see what you come up with...

 Krinsath wrote:

 Skinnereal wrote:
Pistol cases are a pain to find in a country with few pistols shops.

You will find cases that are nearly identical (except perhaps price) as "Camera hard cases" as well. Photography is usually generally accepted and more readily available around the world, so that could be a way to locate some.

Another possibility if you're near-ish to the coast is fishing boxes. They often have numerous small compartments suitable for holding models, and from various blister packs and the like I found I had a more than ample amount of foam to put inside them where needed. When fishing seasons approach they can often be found dirt cheap as well. While the brand is unlikely to be available in the UK, something like Bass Pro Bag accommodates my Dropfleet forces quite well, and during their fishing sale was $20 with 4 boxes (and even less if you knew an employee who was willing to furnish their discount *cough*). Fishing is generally a popular hobby, and thus the prices are usually more reasonable than dedicated miniatures stuff though they do need a bit more tweaking to protect your stuff.

Both of these are good alternatives. The pistol/camera cases can be ordered cheap online as well. I'd count them as fastening more securely than a tackle box, especially in a spill though.

 Rolsheen wrote:
Sell your useless Chaos army and buy a car

its impossible to get around your country without a car - so that makes sense