Hey all!
Been a lurker for a while and finally joined. My dad taught me A&A years ago when I was a young kid. It’s our absolute favorite game. We have played most versions but Classic 2nd Edition seems to be our staple. His 60th birthday is coming up in April and I think for his present I want to build him my version of the “Ultimate A&A Ckassic.” I plan to post the progress here as I go and would love to get some feedback and advice if you’re willing. Also I most definitely did not come up with all of these ideas, I will try and give credit where I can and remember to but the biggest influence right now is The_Good_Captain so thank you for all you’ve done!
Here’s my starting plan, I’ll try to keep as organized as possible and provide references if anyone wants to follow along.
Overall Storage Box:
I have quite a few ammo boxes from my time in the Army, however knowing my Dad something more “upscale” would turn this into a potential display piece in his den. So I’m going to build an ammo box along this style instead (ignore the engravings on it, link for reference only, also not an endorsement of the company): https://relicwood.com/product/us-military-values-ammo-box/
I’m not sure what size it will be so the overall storage box will be one of the later things I make.
Country Boxes, aka trays:
These are going to be in the style of the traditional ammo box (https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/785293641/military-wood-ammo-crate-free-us) but obviously scaled down. My two biggest focuses on these will be having a movey spot (plan on using the IPC chips) as well as a properly spaced section for individual units and dice. I saw a video on YouTube (can’t remember where currently) that had custom boxes made and the creator painted the country decals on the top of the boxes, one in particular was Japan and it was beautiful. Part of me wants to go this route and the other wants to keep the box the raw wood with the army lettering sprayed on with the country names.
For the inside I am looking at either making the sections native to the box or a thin insert, probably designed and built on a laser cutter like a GlowForge.
In addition I plan to make the country info cards fit within these boxes for storage (although this may need to change, I hope not.) In addition, I plan to have a set of 6 dice for each country that fix in this box. The “1” dot will
be the country symbol as well. I would like to find a way to have country individualized dice trays as well, perhaps the top of the country box could be used for this, but I think this will be the last part I do.*
Country Info Cards:
I have two thoughts on these. I know how I’m going to design the info part, I’ll post a photo once done. But the actual look of them I have two ideas. I can laminate them to a thin piece of wood or thick cardboard type thing. Or
I am thinking of sandwiching them between two piebes of plexi-glass held together with weathered 100mph tape and a binder clip (kind of like maps in the Army, although this route might be too modern).
Map:
Straight up stealig The_Good_Captain’s map on this one. I love the larger size roll up. I may (box size and time permitting) make a leather map case for it. In addition I am making 4 round “pucks” out of stainless steel, I’m thinking 2-2.5in in diameter and 1/2in high for the corners of the map as “hold-fasts.” I would like to engrave something on the tops but I am unsure what. There are 5 countries so that won’t work. That idea is still up in the air for what to engrave.
Money and General Markers:
I love the IPC chips for this instead of paper money. I would like to re-design them to more fit the theme, but that is completely time dependant. The roundels are the largest issue for me. I’ve seen the ones on HBG and they are great…but they are out of stock. So it seems like making them is the best route. In my research the largest issue with the homemade roundels is the white edge of the paper after being cut. I’m toying with the idea of some form of vinyl sticker printout like with a Cricut (never used one before). This would ensure the sides would be so thin as to be unnoticable. I’m just not sure if that would actually work and it will require some more research.
For storage I saw a video that I loved of a gentleman using a cigar box for all the rounded piece storage and I love this idea. Haven’t thought too much about this yet but I think this is similar to the route I want to go.
Rulebook:
I want to reprint this in a thick sheet, something not vinyl but definitely waterproof.
Battleboard and IPC Tracker:
For these I plan on redesigning them to be more visually appealing in line with the whole overall theme. I will also mount/seal them in a matching way to the Country Info Cards. I also want to have 2 of the battleboards, one for each side of the playing area.
Unit Upgrades:
I plan on sanding all mold lines as well as sanding flat the bottoms. Carries will have holes drilled in the bottom to fit magnets as will fighters. Holes filled and then all pieces painted in nation colors and sealed with clearcoat.
Fighters may or may not get decals and all aircraft will ahve magnetized stands.
Extras and Add-Ons:
*Instead of dice trays, country rolling cups. We usually roll our dice in red solo cups and flip them onto napkins. There’s something great about needing a good roll and smalling that cup over before slowing lifting it. I’m thinking a solid cup for dice rolling with a neoprene mat for slamming would be a solid option for this.
- Country specific pint glasses and coasters for obvious reasons.
As of now this is the plan. I would love thoughts and input and if anyone wants me to document the process please let me know! Thank you.
