71/100
Fun Score · from 3 ratings
3
Ratings
8
On Location
Ranked #222 of all time · ranking score 74.5 · See the list
Ranked #222 of all time · ranking score 74.5 · See the list
The "Air Aces" pinball machine, released by Bally in 1975, features a distinctive aviation and military theme. Designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Dave Christensen, this electro-mechanical game stands out as the first from Bally to incorporate drop targets.
UTAD.
Balanced
Very High
Bonus is the most important thing, maxes at 20K, can be doubled. The lit bumper advances it 1K as does each drop target. The bumper lights are changed by scoring ten-point switches. A key impact of this is that hitting the unlit bumper (worth 10 points) will light it, and hitting a lit bumper (worth 100) will leave it lit. Double bonus (and extra ball, if enabled) are collected in the upper saucers when lit. The bonus value to light them is operator-adjustable and can be anywhere from 4K to 13K. Drops score 500; completing all 9 drops scores 5000. Drop targets do NOT reset when finished, they stay down until the next ball. Exercise caution when shooting the drop targets with the upper mini-flippers. Such shots lead to side-to-side ball motion and risk draining out the sides. If you can’t help it, or if the rebounds prove to be safe, fine, otherwise just use them for deflecting balls up to the top. Learn to gauge when it’s safe to leave them down when the ball is falling down from above and let the ball roll to the lower flipper on the same side, or when to hold them up to deflect the ball so it lands on the opposite-side lower flipper. If it looks like the ball will do neither, then flip at it.
via Bob's Guide
On the floor at 8 locations
Ratchet and spring details for 2 and 3 coin play
25 KB
Door types 1 to 6 with coin-to-credit tables
109 KB
Covers setup checks, scoring and a playfield parts chart
369 KB
6-month motor guarantee terms
294 KB
Old-to-new coil number table, January 1971
48 KB
Numbered layout with rubber sizes and part references
509 KB
Slam switch gap and weighted blade adjustment
29 KB
Oversized sheet dated 10-9-74 with switch and lamp matrices
8.0 MB
