Air Aces

Air Aces is an electro-mechanical pinball machine from Bally Manufacturing Corporation, released in February 1975 with a confirmed production run of 3,085 units. Designed by Jim Patla with artwork by Dave Christensen, this game holds a genuine distinction in pinball history: it was the first game from Bally to use drop targets.

Key features of Air Aces include four flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, and two kick-out holes, providing a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience. The 9-bank of drop targets offers a satisfying array of shots for building high scores, while the end-of-ball bonus provides an exciting incentive to keep playing. Scoring tops out at 99,990 points per player, accompanied by classic EM sound from three chimes and a knocker.

The machine's artwork and theme are equally striking, with Christensen's military aviation-inspired design capturing the essence of adventure and aerial combat. A curiosity for collectors: early production games featured a so-called 'inverted' backbox, with a front frame wider at the bottom than the top — upside-down compared to typical Bally backboxes — leaving a small ledge at the base of the backglass. Air Aces offers a satisfying glimpse into Bally's electromechanical heyday, making it a worthy addition to any serious collector's lineup.