Has anyone used model shipping containers for things like houses or other projects?

[LDO]

I saw an AMT container trailer in a video from the IPMS nationals. Have any of you used these for something other than storing or hauling cargo? A house would be cool. I could also build the three story guard towers we had at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan. It was two 40’ containers side by side for the first two levels, then a 20’ centered on top, with a guard rail around the perimeter. 
 

I saw that Italeri also makes them in 1/24. They’re not cheap, though. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

I didn't know they existed, but thanks for the heads-up.

I'm kinda wanting to do a container house on the Az. property, and that would be a nice scale to do mockups in.  

Edited August 16, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy
TYPO

[LDO]

Yeah AMT makes the trailer and so does Italeri. I don’t know if they are same kit in different boxes. Italeri also makes a 20’ trailer. I called my LHS to ask about these and I was told that Trumpeter also make these in 1/24. I believe Italeri and Trumpeter offer them as containers without the trailer frame. They may be available in 1/35. I’m not sure, though. If so, I would hope they cost less. 
 

I’ve seen some really cool houses made from these. One had a vertical 20’ with round windows on top of a 40’. Sort of an observation tower. A cool idea for one in the middle of nowhere. When I left Bagram airfield in May 2006, they were welding a bunch of these together for sort of an apartment block for Air Force house. I called it a “Connex Condo” (we called them connexes in the Army). Lots of ideas for houses. I was thinking of a roof with a guard rail around the top it and a small garden. Maybe covered table for a place to relax. If the kits weren’t so expensive, I think they would be a great subject for a group build.