Sky Rider

The Sky Rider is a pinball machine from the early days of the game, produced by Bell Products Company, which operated briefly out of Chicago during World War II. Manufactured in July 1944, the Sky Rider was a conversion of Bally's 'Pan American' and represents the wartime practice of refitting existing cabinets rather than building new machines amid material shortages.

Little is documented about the Sky Rider's specific rules and objectives, which is typical for machines from this era. As with all pinball of this period, it predates the 1947 invention of the flipper, so gameplay would have relied on bumpers, targets, and skillful nudging of the cabinet.

As an example of Bell Products' output during a brief and turbulent period for the company, the Sky Rider offers a glimpse into pinball manufacturing during World War II, when resources were scarce and manufacturers relied on conversion kits to keep producing games. For enthusiasts seeking a tangible connection to the early days of pinball, the Sky Rider remains an interesting historical artifact.