From the Radio Control Club of Detroit, Clinton Township, Michigan
Transporting Our Models
by Lou Tisch
Transportation of our
models from the shop to and from the flying field is
fraught with hazards. The model must be secured from
moving, yet you need space for several models and
equipment. As our models have increased in size, so
has the challenge for safe transportation. Crates,
shelves, tie-downs, and racks help solve this
problem as does a purpose-built system for your
vehicle.
I
built a shelving system maximizing the space in my
van to fit fuselages, wings, fully assembled models,
as well as support equipment. I have a 12-foot bed
in my van that lends to hauling model airplanes or
anything necessary for my primary businesses. I
designed this system so I can install it or remove
it within roughly 30 minutes. This allows for
maximum flexibility.
There are three rectangular modules for the shelving
unit allowing for a platform from aft of the side
doors to the back doors. Longitudinal 2x4s lock
these units together and give them some rigidity.
All units and tie-pieces are labeled for easy
assembly when it’s time to rig for flying.
The three preassembled rectangular units are first
set into the van between the metal structural
uprights. The longitudinal tie-pieces are then
screwed into place. One large sheet of 3/4-inch
plywood (approximately 78-inches long) and a couple
smaller pieces are fit alongside the large piece, on
top of the structural units and screwed into place.
I add a couple of side pieces on top to keep
airplanes away from the sides of the van. There is a
front piece to prevent the airplanes from moving too
far forward. Small 2x4s and 2x2s are screwed behind
the forward piece to trap the wheels and several
shot bags hold them in place.
I also installed a shallow shelf along the left
side, directly inside through the side/cargo door
and can anchor a model to that piece (the piece of
pink-foam pad is anchored there right now). Just
inside the cargo doors is plenty of room for my
support equipment: field boxes, radios, anything
else I think I will need at the field, as well as a
few things I’ll probably never need, but … you never
know. Fuselages are typically stored on the upper
deck while wings are stored below wrapped in
blankets; I still need to develop that rack system
yet.
I now have the flexibility to haul anything from .40
size to 30% with ease and have the versatility to
adapt this to any size model I choose in the future
because I know large, scale, and biplanes are on the
docket for 2008.
This entire system allows me to haul a bunch of
stuff to a swap meet (for sale of course) or haul a
bunch of airplanes and equipment back home (whether
I’ve taken any with me or not), though I try not to
come home from a swap meet with more airplanes than
I took.
Q
Framing in place.
Top surface added to
framing.
Front stop.
Wheels locked in for
travel.
Transport platform in
back of van.
Models and equipment in transport.
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