The Great and Powerful Model III/4 Box

[gp2000]

Well, OK, I may be overselling it a bit, but Radio Shack did package up their Model III and 4 machines quite well. I don't know where I heard it but apparently the box was designed so the TRS-80 inside could withstand being dropped 4 feet off the back of a truck.

Talking with a few people at Tandy Assembly I realized that they'd never seen the original packaging. So here it is in all its glory:

 

[pski]

Cool. Thanks, George. This should be required viewing for all eBay shippers of Model III/4 computers!

 

[gp2000]

Anyone know how the Model II was originally packaged?

 

[pski]

I have an original Model II box in the garage but don't remember if it has the padding inside. I'll check tomorrow.

 

[pski]

Ok, I have the original Model II box but not the internal padding. It is a double-box arrangement which is a good sign. I imagine the padding was similar to the type seen in gp2000's Model III box.

 

[gp2000]

Thanks for the Model II box pics.

I just remembered that my original Model III box showed up in the corner of an old picture. Must have been a bit cheaper as it only had black and red printing.

 

[Jay Newirth]

Could you take measurements of the box and post

Also a few closeups of the foam insert protecting the machine might help

I kinda packed my units almost this way .... but not exactly ......

Thanks

 

[gp2000]

Outside dimensions of the box are 22.5 " x 26 " x 17.75". (the latter being the height -- the box is squat).
The machine itself sits along the long dimension from the keyboard to the back.

Some other measurements which I'll put on the photos:

Top foam block is 4" x 12" and tapers down from 4.5" to 2".
Vertical foam block is 4" x 9" and tapers down from 4" to 3".
The foam padding on the outside of the cardboard tray is 1.25 " thick.

The tray is 25.75" x 18.75" x 12".
The white blocks that sit in front of the keyboard are 2" x 5" x 3".
The pads on the bottom of the tray are strips that run the full length and are 3" x 3" and 3" x 5".

Instead of two small white blocks at the top I recall the Model III box having another two foam pads approximately show positioned in red outline that fit snugly against the front of the screen.

 

[Tibs]

You know, a good solid double walled box with instapak in the right places would be perfect. Can elevate/secure the bottom, back, top and keep the pressure off the front/CRT/keyboard top. It molds so it would keep the computer from moving.

 

[pski]

On the next Trash Talk episode we have an interview with Tandy Engineer Mike Yetsko. He mentions that the best way he found to ship Model IIs was to fill in a double walled box with Radio Shack beach balls!