I finished this quite a while ago but just now finally got the chance to post it.
This storage case is all wood construction with Brass Hardware and a leather wrapped carry handle for the vintage look. I also used an Satin Oil based Polyurethane top coat to yellow it a bit adding to the aged look.
I decided I needed a nice case for my minis but was not satisfied with the ones that are available for purchase. I came across a guy selling wooden ones on Ebay. Now, I am an accomplished woodworker, but it was Winter and my Work shop is not heated and like the Grizzly Bear, it too remains dormant till Spring. I negotiated a deal with the guy to get an unfinished case as I had plans on how I wanted the finished product to look. I received the case a couple of weeks later. I had to do a good deal of fitting and Sanding to get it ready for the stains and paints. If I decide to do this again I will fire up the 'ol saws and make one myself. Once everything was aligned I replaced the hardware that came with the box with some nicer latches and hinges. I thinned down a baby blue Oil based paint I had and used it to stain the Front & Back. Once that was done it was top-coated with Satin clear Poly. I stained the sides next and did the same Poly treatment. I shot the interior black and followed it up with a speckled finish that resembled the foam trays. It got an acrylic clear coat. Now, mind you, I did this all while the box was assembled, no individual pieces, just the two box halves. I wrapped the handle with Leather and sewed it on. It was only held on with tiny screws so I made a brass reinforcing backer plate and bolted it down. It easily takes the weight of the full case now. The artwork on the front and Back are all done free-hand with a brush and acrylics. I did lightly scribe out the Roundels and words to have a good pattern to follow. The clouds were done with a sponge painting technique. The artwork was also clear coated. The dowels that hold the Plexi covers were stained and cleared too. The foam trays are from Battle foam and the plastic containers are from WalMart. The whole process took about 2 1/2 months, mostly for a good cure time in between stages.
The box comfortably holds 81 Planes and their cards, stands, rule book, dashboards, markers, altitude pegs and more. Needless to say I have already out-grown it.
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