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Thread: Keeping playing counters and chits organized

  1. #1

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Default Keeping playing counters and chits organized

    As a newcomer to the game, I've been interested in seeing what people do to organize their various counters used with the game. Some use baggies (lilke I've been doing), and others use pill holders (like those used to sort and keep daily doses of vitamins, etc.). After Wayne (das Phantom) posted his home-made game console recently, it reminded me that I had some cigar boxes stored away somewhere, and I dug two out - one is definitely on its way to becoming my home-made console, and the other seemed ideal to use for separating and storing all of the game counters needed to track events in the game. And since both boxes are the same, they'd fit nicely together as "mine" on the table.

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    Here's the box before starting. The sides and top were sanded to remove the logo and lettering from the cigar brand - luckily they were just printed on rather than engraved into the box like some are.

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    I next used balsa wood to divide the interior up into twelve sections. It was pretty simple to do once I'd decided how many sections I wanted. Balsa is so easy to work with, and with an x-acto saw and #11 blade in my knife, along with some sandpaper and Elmer's glue, it didn't take long to put it together.

    I gave the box two coats of the same Polyshades acrylic/stain sealer I used on my damage deck caddy, as I thought it would be good to seal it before I began painting it. I also painted the interior in some leftover acrylic interior house paint I had - it's a light cream color that I really like as an interior color (I've used it before to paint the insides of some shelf sets - it is a great backdrop for toy soldiers and painted models and figures). A picture of the interior comes later...

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    Once the sealer had dried, I used white tracing paper to trace the "Wings of War" logo onto the top.

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    Here's the logo painted in Vallejo off-white - I hemmed and hawwed over the color and decided white would 'pop' nicely on the wood's color. It took two coats to get the color opaque enough for my tastes. Then I used Zoe Brain's 5-color lozenge colors and pattern she posted a little while ago - I wanted to paint lozenge 'fabric' on the corners, so I printed off her file and photocopied it several times so I could cut and tape the pattern together to get a 'piece' large enough to use as a pattern. I have several pages full of the pattern now to use on future projects.

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    The upper right corner is the top color scheme and the bottom left is the lower color scheme. I took Zoe's color descriptions and a color copy to my local hobby shop and picked out colors from the Vallejo rack to get as close a possible to the printed version. I wanted to get bottles of the base colors so I could be consistent with the colors on future projects. I only got the five colors I needed for the top wing pattern, as I planned to use them or others I had at home to mix for the bottom colors. I debated only painting the flap of the box (which opens), but I decided to carry the pattern over onto the edge. Again, I used white tracing paper to trace the pattern onto the upper left corrner. Then I painted it completely before tracing the pattern onto the lower left and painting it.

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    Here's the painted interior - you can see the pattern on the edges of the box. All that remains to do is put a sealer coat over the exterior and affix a 'legend' over the logo on the interior of what each section contains - I'm now in the process of deciding how I want to organize the counters.

    I have also been working on my hand-made console - I'll post pictures of it once I've finished - the interior is done, and it's painted in the same cream as my counter box, but I'm not yet sure what the exterior's going to look like. I also like Wayne's idea of putting felt tabs on the bottom of the boxes, and I'll add those to both when I'm finished.

    Wayne's console got me thinking about how I might do my own, and since I found two of the same boxes, I thought I'd try out some ideas on an accessories box to go along with the console. In addition to playing the game and painting/repainting models, I really like doing these sorts of things to go along with the game. Thanks for looking!

    All the best,
    Matt

  2. #2

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    Nice job here, I like the result!

    Mau

  3. #3

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    Very nice work indeed.

  4. #4

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    Nice wooden box Harry!

    Now I need to take up smoking

  5. #5

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    That's bl**dy brilliant!

    LOVE the Wings of War logo and the lozenges!

    REP!!

  6. #6

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    Something I never thought about. There is a tobacco store I may be ably to get boxes from. I have to go and ask about that. Thanks for the tip.

  7. #7

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    Outstanding! Certainly an upgrade over my plastic organizers!

  8. #8

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    You folks are so crafty!!! That looks very nice. I'm impressed.

  9. #9

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    And on the other end of the scale:

    http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...ble-Bags-With/

    Write name of chits on label; poke hole through bag with pin (to allow air to escape); then...

    [sunglasses]

    ... o/~ PACK UP YOUR TROUBLES IN YOUR OLD CHIT BAG, AND SMILE, SMILE, SMILE.... o/~

    B)

  10. #10

    Thumbs up

    Very inventive & lovely art work on the lid!

  11. #11

  12. #12

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Thanks for the kind words, folks!

    Chris - I had picked up some zip-lock 2X3 bags from Michael's a while back to store my manoeuver decks in, but I hadn't gotten around to sorting all the counters into separate 'containers' - they were just all together in a standard sandwich-size baggie. I think in the back of my mind I was already thinking about some sort of 'box alternative' and when Wayne posted his console, things just clicked. I am, however, using 2X3 bags to store my flight pegs.

    Thanks for the feedback, lads!
    All the best,
    Matt

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by matt56 View Post
    Chris - I had picked up some zip-lock 2X3 bags from Michael's a while back to store my manoeuver decks in, but I hadn't gotten around to sorting all the counters into separate 'containers' - they were just all together in a standard sandwich-size baggie. I think in the back of my mind I was already thinking about some sort of 'box alternative' and when Wayne posted his console, things just clicked. I am, however, using 2X3 bags to store my flight pegs.
    It helps to know: I come from the school of "it's bad enough my minis and game pieces get up and walk away; I don't need the *&^%$#!ing carrying cases doing it as well". >:)

  14. #14

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    I finally finished the box and it's loaded and ready for today's gaming. I had waffled on exactly what sort of chart I wanted to use to cover the original cigar company logo on the inside box lid. Originally, I was planning on labeling what was in each section, but that became somewhat unwieldy as I sketched it out. Then I settled on simply organizing the tokens as seemed logical (given what they represent) into each section and displaying pictures of the tokens copied from the page in the rule book.
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    I copied the page initially in black and white and then reduced it to the size I needed for the space - then I copied it on cream-colored paper and backed it on forest green card stock. I used spray adhesive to glue the chart together and then to glue it onto the lid's interior.

    Here you see it, along with the box containing game counters, with plenty of room for more counters as I "acquire" more...

    As always, thanks for looking!
    All the best,
    Matt

  15. #15

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    That's a truly stunning project, Matt. Absolutely beautiful.

    Where can I place my order?

  16. #16

  17. #17

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    That looks superb!

  18. #18

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    In light of the fact that Keith no longer supplies those superb little self locking plastic boxes this could be the answer to all our prayers, and even to some sailors I know on the other channel!
    thanks Matt.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  19. #19

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    The chart worked like a champ when we played today, Rob. It was very easy to find just what tokens we needed - even a player not too conversant with what was what was able to easily pull the correct tokens needed - we had lots of smoke and fire and gun jams (Oh, my!).

    For those out there wanting to do something like this yourselves, I reduced the page from the rule book to 80% of its size. Then I cut and taped the counter pictures into the format/size I wanted for the box lid (4" X 6")...I did it on graph paper so I could get everything to line up (pretty much) correctly...and then I copied it on the cream colored paper.

    All the best,
    Matt

  20. #20

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    For those of you perhaps wanting to make your own container, both Michael's and Joann Fabrics stock unfinished "cigar boxes" - they sell them at $4.99, and the box comes with a closing clasp to secure the box (unlike most cigar boxes you might get at your local tobacconists). They also have the plus side that there is NO logo either painted or engraved into them, so they are a 'blank slate' for your own personal decoration purposes. Doing the balsa wood dividers is pretty easy, really, so give it a try if you're interested.

    All the best,
    Matt
    Last edited by matt56; 02-22-2015 at 14:32.

  21. #21

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    Great job Matt. I have to check out the local Michaels tomorrow while I am out.

  22. #22

  23. #23

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Default Counter box version 2

    Here is the new version of the counter box for Wings of War/Glory WWI - I used a readily available 'blank' cigar box from Michael's (about $5), made from a lighter wood and squarer and a bit shallower than the previous 'recycled' cigar box. I used the same stain/varnish combination as before, but the box's light wood didn't darken much with the oak stain. The same logo was used as before, but I reduced the size of the 5-color lozenge pattern to 80% since the box was somewhat smaller. I didn't want large lozenges to overpower or take up too much top area.

    I also chose to go with straight-out-of-the-bottle colors for the lozenges, to facilitate ease and consistency, since I have a couple of friends who've put in orders for boxes of their own, and I actually think I like these colors better than those on the previous box.

    Here is the top view.

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    And here is the interior - it has 16 sections rather than the previous box's 12, and while this box is shallower, I have no fears it will successfully hold all of the counters from the WWI version of the game. All that's left to do on the interior is glue the counter 'key' to the interior lid.

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    I'm pleased with the way this second one turned out, too, and 'standardizing' materials will help in the future as I make more of them. All that's then left to do is touch up the top's colors and give it a spray of sealer, and then send it off to its new owner.

    As always, thanks for looking!
    All the best,
    Matt

  24. #24

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    You have all the angles covered.

    Well done. Fitting organization and good craftsmanship.

    Thanks for showing your pictures.

    Mel

  25. #25

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    I should think that your friends will be proud to own a counters box like that one Matt.
    Your personalization has turned an everyday ordinary wooden box into something quire special.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  26. #26

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    Gawd, I love this wild and crazy group of hobbyists we've got.
    Well done Harry!

  27. #27

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    Nice job there, Harry. I love what you did for personalization.

    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  28. #28

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Default Counter box version 2 scale comparison

    Here is one more photo of the new version of the box with Stark's Fokker DVII on top for a sense of size - the box itself is almost 8 inches square (actually 8.25 X 8) and about 1 1/2 inches deep.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    As always, thanks for looking and for your kind comments!

    All the best,
    Matt

  29. #29

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    Matt,

    Just to add my appreciation to all others. Thanks for the inspiration.

    Well done.

    Best,
    Mel

  30. #30

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    Not sure how I missed this, but it totally awesome! Great job Matt! I personally like the look of the original cigar box my self. The darker wood and the more subdued lozenge really make it fit the time period.

    Have you thought about inserting some rare earth magnets into the lid and lip to help secure it closed?

  31. #31

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    I think for the next Michael's cigar box version I do, I'll try a stain/varnish combo that's a tad darker, just because I think ideally that a bit darker wood looks nicer, too.

    The magnet idea is nice, Keith, particularly for the old-style cigar box that has no hasp to keep it closed - I may have to try that if I find a couple of 'used' boxes from a cigar shop. The nice thing about the Michael's boxes is that they DO have a little hasp to secure them.

    I'm planning on trying another one with a different 'slice' of color on top - perhaps the DrI streaked fabric pattern or the French wing camo pattern...my buddy wants one in the American camo pattern, so that's probably next in the pipeline

    I'll post some pictures when I work something new up.

    Thanks again for looking!
    All the best,
    Matt

  32. #32

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Here's the third variation on a theme. I did this one to present to this year's Lend-Lease Participant, thinking it might be a nice souvenir of his visit to Origins and the States. I went with a little bit darker stain and varnish combination that gets the color of the box a bit closer to the first one I did. In checking with the Herrn Oberst as to whether it would be permissible to do something like this for Neil, he was all for it and suggested that it might look neat to use the German 'streaked' finish on the corners, since Neil's avatar is the DrI in that finish, and then a light blue on the interior to match the undersides of the plane.

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    So I enlarged a drawing of the DrI's top wing 400% to get a pattern to trace onto the corners of the box and set to it with my trusty Vallejo acrylics. For the interior I went to our local hardware store and bought a samples-sized can of a Benjamin Moore paint color called (appropriately enough) 'Clear Skies'.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    The interior is a nice light blue, and I decided that the dark green showed up best as a backing to the counter chart I glued to the inside of the lid.

    I presented it to Neil last night at the 94th Aerodrome restaurant dinner, and I think he's going to put it to good use!

    As always, thanks for looking!

    All the best,
    Matt

  33. #33

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    Goodness me, I missed this thread completely.
    What a great idea and execution Harry, thoroughly deserves the incoming rep.
    Nice one matey

  34. #34

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    Amazing woodwork, Harry. Like a nice box of candies.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  35. #35

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    Very neat work Harry, very neat


    I'm learning to fly, but I ain't got wings
    Coming down is the hardest thing

  36. #36

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    Those are great. The one you gave to Neil is my favorite lid of the three. What a great job!!!

  37. #37

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    Very nice boxes! I really like the crazy-quilt one.

    Quote Originally Posted by Flying Officer Kyte View Post
    In light of the fact that Keith no longer supplies those superb little self locking plastic boxes this could be the answer to all our prayers, and even to some sailors I know on the other channel!
    thanks Matt.
    Rob.
    Here in America you can still get those "superb little self locking plastic boxes" at most pharmacies. They are sold as pill sorters, and aside from the lids being two different colors (mine is yellow for morning pills, blue for nighttime pills) and the compartments being labeled S-M-T-W-T-F-S, they are identical to the ones I got from Keith.

  38. #38

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    Top work & great presentation gift idea

  39. #39

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    Quote Originally Posted by flash View Post
    Top work & great presentation gift idea
    +1

    REP!

  40. #40

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    Those are great. The one you gave to Neil is my favorite lid of the three. What a great job!!!
    I have to agree.
    Missed this thread when it first went round - excellent work.

    My plastic organizer I picked up at Best Buy pales in comparison.

  41. #41

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    I will be mugging him for that upon his return, what an amazing job and what a great gift (actually it couldn't go to a nicer bloke either - so high fives all round) - well done on all fronts Harry

    Never Knowingly Undergunned !!

  42. #42

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Thanks for the kind words, folks! Neil is a stellar fellow, and his reaction when he received the box at the dinner was all the 'payment' I needed (not that I needed payment, mind...)

    He's been a load of fun to have here, and I wish I had gotten into this hobby sooner and could have met the other LLPs. Ah, well, meeting them through this Forum is the next best thing, eh?!

    I look forward to doing more of these boxes - my good friend wants one with French/American SPAD camo and an American roundel, and I have a couple others that should turn out well, too, in the works...I'll post pics to fuel your creative juices as I do them.

    All the best,
    Matt

  43. #43

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    Great work with those boxes, Matt.
    Voilŕ le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  44. #44

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    Very nice, Matt!

    Quote Originally Posted by csadn View Post
    It helps to know: I come from the school of "it's bad enough my minis and game pieces get up and walk away; I don't need the *&^%$#!ing carrying cases doing it as well". >
    I come from the school of "Make your cases distinctive and recognizable at 20'... then if you see someone try to grab one Make Them Pay... ohhh. Make Them Pay Dearly, starting with at least gastric distress or broken bones."

    Historical Consultant/Researcher, Wings and Sails lines - Unless stated otherwise, all comments are personal opinion only and NOT official Ares policy.
    Wings Checklists: WWI (down Navarre Nieuport, Ares Drachens) | WWII (complete)

  45. #45

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    I can attest that this was a great looking box, and superb gift.
    Kudos to Matt

    Quote Originally Posted by matt56 View Post
    Here's the third variation on a theme. I did this one to present to this year's Lend-Lease Participant, thinking it might be a nice souvenir of his visit to Origins and the States. I went with a little bit darker stain and varnish combination that gets the color of the box a bit closer to the first one I did. In checking with the Herrn Oberst as to whether it would be permissible to do something like this for Neil, he was all for it and suggested that it might look neat to use the German 'streaked' finish on the corners, since Neil's avatar is the DrI in that finish, and then a light blue on the interior to match the undersides of the plane.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_0200.jpg 
Views:	446 
Size:	145.8 KB 
ID:	166479

    So I enlarged a drawing of the DrI's top wing 400% to get a pattern to trace onto the corners of the box and set to it with my trusty Vallejo acrylics. For the interior I went to our local hardware store and bought a samples-sized can of a Benjamin Moore paint color called (appropriately enough) 'Clear Skies'.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	IMG_0201.jpg 
Views:	449 
Size:	142.8 KB 
ID:	166480

    The interior is a nice light blue, and I decided that the dark green showed up best as a backing to the counter chart I glued to the inside of the lid.

    I presented it to Neil last night at the 94th Aerodrome restaurant dinner, and I think he's going to put it to good use!

    As always, thanks for looking!

    All the best,
    Matt
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  46. #46

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    IMHO how to clobber a gaming-management headache ... One as old as the game itself in fact.

    Also looks easily transferrable across to WGS which is why this has just scored Reputation points from me. For offering WGS too a better option which uses trays instead of having to rely in the default boxes provided with the WW2 Rules and Accessories set / WW2 Starter Set. Also for a transferrable idea which saves on space when compared to using bags for WGS damage tokens - potentially in many cases gaining useful gameplay-space.

  47. #47

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    As I slide to the Dark Side later this summer and get into WW2, Barnaby, I will likely do one up for that side of things. I will post something when I do so, again in the hopes that if others like the idea, they may try it for themselves. I've been thinking about it as I've been playing and observing WW2 games, but it won't be until I actually look at the counters and see what's what that I'll have a firmer idea of how to approach things.

    All the best,
    Matt

  48. #48

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    As you may know,I'm just catching up on a weeks posts, and can only reflect upon the kindness of all you folks, having just been on the relieving end of it myself to wit Rich and Sheryl. This is another gift in a million and well worthy of the rep I'm sending to you Matt.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  49. #49

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    My Friend, these are truly stunning and would grace anyone's table.

    Well done, and well played with Neil - a beautiful and memorable gift.
    “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” ― Plato

  50. #50

    matt56's Avatar May you forever fly in blue skies.
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    Default An American version

    Here is the latest variation on a theme - this one is for my good friend Jim (rhodie80). He's a fan of the AEF, so this was rather fitting, I think

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I like the red lettering for a change - it makes a nice contrast against the stained box top, and the generic SPAD wings and camo work well, too. The interior is the usual cream/CDL color I've used before, and the only difference inside is that I backed the 'counter key' on dark red card stock to better go with the colors on the outside...

    I'm taking it to its new owner this evening - we have the first of our twice-monthly Paint Nights at our local club, and I trust he'll be suitably pleased to have his counters finally organized!

    As always, thanks for looking!
    All the best,
    Matt

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