Air Circus

The Air Circus is an electro-mechanical pinball machine from January 1942, manufactured by Exhibit Supply Company (ESCO) of Chicago. Released just weeks after the United States entered World War II, its military aviation theme — spanning army, navy, aircraft, and warfare motifs — captured the mood of the moment. As one of the last games built before wartime restrictions halted new pinball production, it offers a snapshot of the industry at a pivotal point in its history.

For just five cents, players received five balls per game. The playfield features ten passive bumpers and two kick-out holes — which ESCO's materials charmingly referred to as 'knock-out pockets' — with a bell providing the soundtrack. Notably, operators could configure the machine for either Replay mode or Regular (Novelty) mode, allowing it to suit different locations and local regulations.

While the machine's designer is not documented, the Air Circus remains an evocative piece of early-1940s coin-op history, its wartime theme and simple bell-and-bumper gameplay offering a window into pinball's pre-flipper era.