Sky Chief

Sky Chief, manufactured by Exhibit Supply Company in March 1942, is a flipperless, single-player electro-mechanical pinball machine with an aviation theme, following ESCO's own aviation-themed Sky Blazer from the previous year. It offers a glimpse into the imagination of players on the eve of America's full entry into World War II production.

Gameplay-wise, Sky Chief is characterized by its 14 passive bumpers, an early and common form of bumper design in pinball of this period. A single kick-out hole provides an added challenge, as players must carefully navigate their ball to avoid losing it entirely. A time clock mechanism and a single bell sound round out the machine's feature set, and its overall simplicity is typical of the flipperless pinball of the early 1940s.

The artwork on Sky Chief reflects the period-specific style and patriotic, aviation-focused imagery common to wartime-era machines. Little information exists about the designer behind this machine, but its theme speaks to the nation's fascination with aviation during this era, making it a notable piece for those interested in the pre-flipper history of pinball.