The Hobby While on Vacation

[Epher]

I am going on vacation with the family to the in-laws for a few weeks and I was thinking of taking some paints and a few models for when I find myself with a few hours to kill here or there.  Anyone have any experience taking their citadel paint pots on a plane with them?  Are there any tips or horror stories?

 

Thanks!

Epher

[Grand Master Belial]

I travelled right after 9/11 and I had a small art box that I strategically placed a squad of 5-10 models and the appropriate paints and brushes. It had to be checked because the glue was flammable. Just use paper towels as packing material to stop them from shifting when the bag goes vertical. A bonus as you can then use the towels to dry off the brushes and catch any spills. I was using Vallejo paints and they travelled just fine.

 

EDIT: I had to use a reduced pallette of paints so remember space is a premium. You may not be able to take all the paints you need to finish the models.

[Gurth]

One of the members of our game club is in the merchant navy, and he builds and paints his Chaos Space Marines army on board. He regularly flies to the other side of the world with tins of paint (he uses mostly Revell enamels, IIRC) and a small bottle in which he’s put white spirit that he attempts to have look innocuous so that security won’t ask him to open it. My point being: if he can fly with enamel paints in his luggage, you should be able to get away with acrylics. Bit of advice, though: don’t tell any inspector that you have paint with you unless they happen to find the pots and ask what’s in them — I’d figure that the chance is too great that if you tell them beforehand, they’ll make you hand them over, so it’s safer to hope they won’t find them at all. But don’t look like you have anything to hide

[Teetengee]

Don't put it in carry on. And seal them very tightly. But I imagine you will be ok otherwise.

[Epher]

Thanks for all of the pointers and tips!  I will probably check them and wrap up the paints so that if they spill, they won't make a mess.  I am thinking of taking a box of DA Vets and maybe an attack bike or land speeder.  I am trying to round out my army with the release of the new codex.  I also have some Deathwing that need painting too.  So many minis and never enough time.  I will have to choose my paints wisely and perhaps prime on the sprue.

[Carrack]

Ziplock bags. I've traveled once with some hobby stuff and what I did was seal the pots good, place them in ziplock bags, and pad the minis and paints with the clothes in the suitcase. I was worried a pressure change may "pop" the paints, like I have had happen with shaving cream, and the bags, which might not save the paint, would at least save the rest of my luggage, and me having to go to dinner with Khorne Red all over my shirt. Everything came through ok though, but I felt better knowing I had an extra layer of protection.

[Gurth]

I’d probably also worry about pressure from objects (rather than the air) opening the bottles. Put them in a sturdy box — say, a lunchbox — and you should be safe from that. If you pad it with whatever’s handy, they won’t rattle around.