Save those pesky plastic bags from the store: They’re great for packing models! I have tons of them.

Use a box slightly larger than the model. Put the model inside a plastic bag and carefully enclose it. Now, take a few bags and ball them up to cushion the bottom of the box. Put the model in the center, ball up more bags, and pack them into the remaining space. (Be careful to pack around antennas, pitot tubes, and so forth). The trick is to cushion the model so it can shift slightly, but not enough to allow damage (even if the box is dropped). Tape the box closed for shipment.

This method is foolproof — better than packing peanuts. All you have to do is save those plastic bags. 

Tip submitted by:
Ernesto UrtiagaOviedo, Florida