The battery operated lights will be awesome!!I have found them at wal mart and target as well. You dont need really thick wood either. Stay away from OSB since its surface it not smooth. You could probably look up images in your browser tool for night time airport lighting to see all of the colors. And the runway numbers correspond with the directional compass. Say one side is runway three zero 30. The opposite end will be one two 12. Use your local airport numbers to make it a little more personal. I may even use Edwards AFB runway numbers or even area 51. All can be found using Yahoo or Google maps. The sequenced lighting may be the more difficult to do. I would just go with regular lighting. im using an old cassette player for my radar dish motor. I'll have pics up when I get it completed.