You’ve probably seen them at military surplus stores or tucked away in the back of a prepper's garage. Long, olive drab, and heavy enough to make your lower back scream just looking at them. Most folks call it the FIM-29 Stinger case, though if we're being technically pedantic—and honestly, in the world of ordnance, you kinda have to be—it’s the storage and transport container for the FIM-92 Stinger missile system.
It’s an iconic piece of hardware. But there is a massive amount of confusion about what actually lives inside these containers, why they’re built like tanks, and why the "FIM-29" label keeps popping up when the missile itself is the 92.
The Aluminum vs. Wood Debate: Not All Cases Are Equal
If you’re hunting for one of these, you’ll quickly realize the Army didn't just have one "standard" box. They had layers. Basically, the Stinger system is a delicate piece of high-tech electronics wrapped in a rocket motor, and the military treats it with about as much care as a Ming vase.
There are two primary types of "cases" you’ll run into in the wild.
✨ Don't miss: 8 days to the moon and back: Why Apollo 11's timeline still breaks our brains
The first is the Weapon-Round Container. This is the one collectors drool over. It’s a reusable, airtight aluminum box. It’s designed to hold one operational weapon round (the missile inside its launch tube), the gripstock, and two Battery Coolant Units (BCUs). If you see a metal one with heavy-duty latches and a pressure relief valve, that’s it. These things were built to survive being dropped out of planes or dragged through a swamp. Back in the 80s, the government was shelling out roughly $2,500 per case. Just for the box!
Then there’s the Missile-Round Container. This one is often wood. Or rather, it’s a "lettuce crate" style wooden box that houses a cardboard liner, which houses a sealed barrier bag, which finally holds the missile. It’s the "shipping" version. It’s less "tactical" and more "logistical."
Why the FIM-29 Confusion Exists
So, where does "FIM-29" come from? Honestly, it’s mostly a typo that went viral in the surplus community. The actual designation for the Stinger is the FIM-92.
The "FIM" stands for Federal, Intercept, Man-portable.
Sometimes people mix it up with the old FGM-77 (Dragon) or they’re thinking of various internal part numbers printed on the side of the crate. Military stencils can be hard to read after thirty years of sitting in a humid warehouse in Georgia. If you’re searching for "FIM 29 Stinger case" on eBay, you’re likely looking for the vintage aluminum transport boxes used for the FIM-92.
The Specs: More Than Just a Metal Box
Let’s talk dimensions because if you’re planning to turn one of these into a coffee table or a truck bed storage unit, you need to know what you’re getting into.
- Length: Usually around 65 to 68 inches.
- Width: Roughly 13 to 14 inches.
- Height: About 13 inches.
- Weight: Empty? It’s still nearly 100 pounds for the aluminum version.
Inside, these cases are often lined with custom-cut foam or Spanish cedar if they’ve been repurposed (more on that in a second). The original military versions have a rubber gasket ring in the lid. When you clamp those latches down, it’s 100% airtight and waterproof. There’s a reason people use them to store high-end camera gear or expensive rifles. You could basically throw this thing into a lake, and your gear would stay bone dry.
The BCU: The Case's Best Friend
You can’t talk about the Stinger case without mentioning the Battery Coolant Units. A standard case has slots for these. They’re small canisters that provide gaseous argon to cool the missile's seeker head to cryogenic temperatures.
Without the BCU, the missile is just a very expensive paperweight. When you find a surplus case, it’s rare to find the BCUs included—and if you do, they’re almost certainly expired. But the slots for them in the case’s foam are a dead giveaway that you’re looking at a genuine Stinger transport unit.
The Second Life of a Missile Crate
The "cool factor" of these cases has created a niche market. Since they’re essentially indestructible, they don't just end up in scrap heaps.
I’ve seen them turned into Tactical Humidors. There’s actually a company called Ammodors that takes these rare 1980s-era Stinger cases, cleans them up, and lines them with Spanish cedar to hold thousands of cigars. It’s a weirdly perfect fit because the airtight seal that kept the missile’s electronics from corroding also happens to keep cigars at the perfect humidity.
Other folks use them for:
- Hard-sided rifle cases for long-distance bolt action guns.
- External storage boxes for overland vehicle builds (bolted to a roof rack).
- Emergency "Go-Boxes" for electronics and sensitive documents.
What to Look for When Buying Surplus
If you’re hunting for a FIM-92 (or the mislabeled FIM-29) case, don’t just buy the first one you see. These things vary wildly in condition.
First, check the pressure relief valve. It’s that little round knob on the side. If it’s cracked or missing, the "airtight" selling point is gone. You also want to look at the latches. They should require some real muscle to close. If they’re floppy, the gasket is likely shot.
Also, pay attention to the stencils. A case with original "Missile, Surface-to-Air" markings is worth way more to a collector than one that’s been spray-painted over by a surplus owner trying to hide its history.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’ve managed to get your hands on one of these beasts, here is how to actually make it useful.
- Strip the Old Foam: The original military foam from the 80s and 90s is likely "off-gassing" or turning into a sticky, crumbly mess. Pull it out. Use a heat gun to get the adhesive residue off the aluminum.
- Check the Gasket: Rub some silicone grease on the rubber seal in the lid. This keeps it from cracking and ensures it stays waterproof for another twenty years.
- Neutralize the "Surplus Smell": These cases often smell like old grease and JP-8 fuel. A deep scrub with Dawn dish soap and a few days sitting open in the sun usually does the trick.
- Custom Inlays: Since the internal dimensions are so long and narrow (approx. 66" x 13"), look for "Kaizen foam" sheets. You can cut these to fit your specific gear—whether that’s a precision rifle, a drone setup, or a very long collection of specialized tools.
These cases are heavy, overkill for most people, and a nightmare to ship. But if you want a storage solution that can literally survive a war zone, the Stinger box is the gold standard.