My first and only flight box has been a Goldberg Super Tote that I put together almost 40 years ago. I fly glow and finished mine with a walnut toned oil stain rubbed into the plywood. Still looks like a piece of furniture after all this time. I've also stripped wood props by sanding them, and finished them in a similar way. Using an oil stain enables a simple touch up later if needed.
Hope this helps.
Karl