Yes, the tackle boxes are the only way to go.
Thanks Fish!
Now, should we have separate WWII and WWI boxes?
Now, should we have separate WWII and WWI boxes?
It’s a matter of personal choice, depending on what your particular purpose is. In my case I’m combining them because I’m using the WWI sculpts to supplement the WWII ones – mainly to provide sculpt sets to WWII nations for which no A&A pieces are officially provided. Anyway, the WWI sculpts are so distinctive that it’s easy to extract them from any combined WWI/WWII storage box, if ever they’re needed on their own.
Toblerone77,
––Well, like so many things relating to this great game called Axis & Allies, there are a lot of choices that you can make according to your personality or tastes.
––To answer your basic question I have always tried to keep each of my different versions of A&A separate and complete in their own right. I guess I’m just enough OCD to prefer it that way. Of course, for me it wasn’t necessary to do so in between 1st and 2nd Edition 1940-Global games as all I did was buy the 2nd edition rulebooks and starting locations of the units. Everything else is the same and I still use same my enlarged map.
----I’ve been using transparent tackle boxes to store my A&A units for years. The type I use have 5 different trays plus additional storage compartments all combined in a very nice carrying case. It was all I needed to carry everything for a 1940-global game.
----However, I’ve recently bought some carrying cases with much larger trays in deference to all of the “NEW” units and unit types from HBG and FMG. Where before it only took one tray to hold every unit of each country’s units,…now it will take 4-5 trays for each major country. There are now so many tanks, aircraft, and ships, and 3-5 paint schemes of almost everything,…the larger trays were totally necessary.
----My home computer crashed recently, and I’m now existing on my new tablet. I’m still learning a few of the different “procedures” of a Tablet vs. a PC and when I’m done I’ll try and remember to post some pics of my “Tackle Box
A&A Armories” for your perusal. They not only look good, but are VERY CONVENIENT and keep everything organized.
----Also, since I’ve started my collection of painted A&A units I’ve redone my trays so that units are spread out and not on top of each other in order to protect their custom paint jobs.
“Tall Paul”
The only useful way:
One Box for each country and a bigger one for all supplies (ICs, chips,…)
I really like the big labels on the boxes (unit identifications under the cover, national identication on top of the cover). Is the Norwegian flag on the cover of the German box a deliberate choice?
I´m born in southern germany. Its forbidden here to use a flag with a swastika or hakenkreuz.
Norways flag contains a blue cross. I tried to rebuild a flag for axis & allies germany after the included markers  But my Printer didnt centered the picture right where it belongs. I will fix this issue just in time
Thanks everyone who contributed to this topic. I think probably I will combine my current mass produced games such as 1941 and the latest 42 editons but leave my rarer editons seperate
I’m at the moment also considering combining the units of my games. And tackle boxes seem to be the right choice, unfortunatly I didn’t find any till now that found fitting. Does anyone use other methods for storing the combined units?
I use small beading boxes available at Hobby Lobby craft stores they only cost around two dollars.
The way I did mine was a bit more complex than most. First, I combined all the pieces I got from the Global games (I own both 40.1 and 40.2 editions). These I separated into the tackle box trays like most of you. To this I add my vast array of HBG pieces (perk of my job). Then I have a separate couple of trays for chips, dice, counters, etc. This is all stored in wood boxes from Ikea.
Now the tricky part… I painted the pieces for AAGC and BOTB so those live inside the original game boxes. I deconstructed Revised and 1942 and placed all contents into the 1942 box with no pieces. I need these games the least, but the maps and charts etc are there if I want to play them. Next, I like AA50 the best so I took all my favorite WOTC/Hasbro pieces from ALL games and made my “dream” AA50 game. Only OOB pieces. For 1942.2 I left everything in there so it can be played anytime. It had enough unique stuff in it that I didn’t want to go fishing in my tackle boxes later for it. For 1941, I used mostly my Revised pieces. I like this game ready to go for teaching others A&A basics but hated the boring mix of units. So I upgraded them so to speak.
Bottom line, take your favorite pieces and use them for your favorite / most played editions. You get the most enjoyment out of them this way! I have my “ultimate set ups” for each WOTC game, plus my mega parts collection of WOTC / HBG for playing Global or any other game. I slowly phase out what I don’t need in that set as we produce more HBG sets.
Update 2014
Here’s my inventory and here’s what I did. It’s still a work in progress. AAMB two copies. One in custom super set. One left Un-punched. Have various spare pieces painted or for other purposes.
AAR one copy left in box has been used. (Now five copies)
AAP01 AAE99 two copies each, one of each un-punched and bagged will stay in box. One copy of each opened game will go in custom super set.
AA50 one copy left in box.
Spring 42 one in custom super set. One factory sealed.
Spring 42SE one in custom super set. Will order one additional and leave factory sealed. Ordered !extra set 12/2014
AA41 one in custom super set. Will order one additional and leave factory sealed. Ordered one extra set
AAP40.1 one in custom super set.
AAP40SE two sets, one factory sealed one opened. May use opened copy as reserve for parts and possible painting.
AAE40SE three sets. One factory sealed. One in custom super set. One opened and held in reserve for extra pieces and possible painting.
AA1914 one set. I like it but will not buy another copy. Received WOTC re-enforcements and added to box. One extra copy ordered
D-Day and BotB one each. Both un-punched still in bags. Really wanted to steal bunkers from D-Day for custom super set, but bought them on eBay for a steal!
Table Tactics; NWO, Risk 2210 Supplement, AAMB Supplement all in custom super set.
HBG OMG too much of a good thing doesn’t exist when it comes to HBG! Basically I have some of everything and continue to add to custom super set.
Here’s a picture. I’m currently re-organizing all of my pieces that will be included in my custom super set. I’m going to need to get more boxes LOL.
I’m going to need to get more boxes
The story of my life. :-D
Great looking collection, and I’m impressed that some of your games are still factory sealed. I’d never have the self-discipline to leave sculpts untouched in their original box!
@CWO:
 I’m going to need to get more boxes
The story of my life.  :-D
Great looking collection, and I’m impressed that some of your games are still factory sealed. I’d never have the self-discipline to leave sculpts untouched in their original box!
LOL! The only reason they are Is because I recently bought some of them. Spring 42.1 was cheap for a while, (a couple years ago) and I bought two additional copies. I gave one as a gift and kept one for collecting purposes. This Christmas I found a fantastic deal from a record store that had AAP01 and AAE99 un-punched and still bagged. I bought them right away, they will remain that way as collectibles. My formerly collectible editions will now add more red Japanese units, Hell Cats, Red Russians and other goodies to my custom set.
I also bought a bundle for AAE/P40SE that will also remain factory sealed as I have so many already. Some of my new “reserve” units will most likely be painted.
As for Bulge and D-Day I got those a looooong time ago. I never really had anyone interested in playing them so they remain un-punched and still bagged. I almost parted them out for trucks and bunkers but just couldn’t do it after I discovered HBG. I scored an epic deal online for the D-Day bunkers further satiating my desire to “scrap” my D-Day game. The newer editions saved one copy of Classic in the armory un-punched, on the runners and still in bags.
This may sound stupid or even crazy but the reason for all this madness is for posterity. This collection of games I will keep and eventually pass them on when I go to the great beyond, but I am going to enjoy them for all they’re worth until then.
My super collection? There are too many reasons to list as to why I am building it beyond my obvious love of the game.
A quick story:
A Thanksgiving holiday ago or so. My brother and I were playing a game of 42SE. As we played my 4 year old nephew crept up to the table. His eyes light up wide and bright as saw us rolling dice and moving what looked liked a fantastic toy army across a map.
Now, most kids might take a swipe at the board. Or throw a fit because they don’t get to play. No, not Jakob. He crept up to the table, put his little fingers on the table’s edge. His eyes light up and he simply watched patiently and amazed giving a light gasp of excitement.
Now I didn’t want to leave him out of this experience. So I had some painted and sealed army men that I had used for painting practice and craft shows. I gave him the handmade soldiers and some cheap “Dollar Store” dice I had. In between my turns I played an “Axis &Allies” game with him and he was happy he got to join in with the boys.
Eventually I will teach him to play when he’s old enough. When I do, I want a collection so great that his video games will ride “shot-gun” when There’s an A&A game going on.
Eventually I will teach him to play when he’s old enough.
That’s a sweet story. Catching them young is a great way to promote the hobby. If I’m not mistaken, Wittman’s daughter has gotten quite good at telling the difference between the various A&A sculpts!
Guys,
@CWO:
I’m going to need to get more boxes
The story of my life. :-D
––When HBG started producing their Supplement, Expansion, and then Basic Sets for everything A&A I started a total re-organization of my A&A storage trays. Then HBG announced their Global Warfare 1939 Expansion Sets and WOW, I needed to make room for ALL of these units plus units painted in different paint schemes, too.
––After quite a lot of research I decided on using the Fishing Tackle boxes from Plano. They are very durable, visually pleasing, come in many sizes, and have Sets available that are designed to have
5 or 6 large, wide trays put together for easy transport with a handle on top.
––I segregated each nation into groups as follows: Air Forces, Armored Forces, Naval Forces, and Land Forces. Since many of my units are already painted I wanted no more than TWO units in each
‘square’ and made room for all of the different units, unit types, and paint schemes. These trays accomodated everything with a little additional space left for ‘future’ units.
----Each of my trays will have a National Ensignia on top of the lid, and the underside of the lid will have a Unit Diagram showing the locations of each specific unit, like a box of chocolates. No need for any ‘Forrest Gumping’, haha.
––I’ll shoot some pics when I get everything done.
“Tall Paul”
@CWO:
Eventually I will teach him to play when he’s old enough.
That’s a sweet story. Catching them young is a great way to promote the hobby. If I’m not mistaken, Wittman’s daughter has gotten quite good at telling the difference between the various A&A sculpts!
Thanks, Marc. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.
@Tall:
Guys,
@CWO:
 I’m going to need to get more boxes
The story of my life.  :-D
––When HBG started producing their Supplement, Expansion, and then Basic Sets for everything A&A I started a total re-organization of my A&A storage trays. Then HBG announced their Global Warfare 1939 Expansion Sets and WOW, I needed to make room for ALL of these units plus units painted in different paint schemes, too.
––After quite a lot of research I decided on using the Fishing Tackle boxes from Plano. They are very durable, visually pleasing, come in many sizes, and have Sets available that are designed to have
5 or 6 large, wide trays put together for easy transport with a handle on top.
––I segregated each nation into groups as follows: Air Forces, Armored Forces, Naval Forces, and Land Forces. Since many of my units are already painted I wanted no more than TWO units in each
‘square’ and made room for all of the different units, unit types, and paint schemes. These trays accomodated everything with a little additional space left for ‘future’ units.
----Each of my trays will have a National Ensignia on top of the lid, and the underside of the lid will have a Unit Diagram showing the locations of each specific unit, like a box of chocolates. No need for any ‘Forrest Gumping’, haha.
––I’ll shoot some pics when I get everything done.“Tall Paul”
Yes I may buy some of the Plano boxes at a later point. The boxes you see in the picture are high quality and VERY cheap.
This is why I like these boxes:
