High Fliers

High Fliers, manufactured by Western Products, Incorporated between 1938 and 1941 (circa 1940), is a flipperless electro-mechanical pinball machine with an aviation theme. It shares its playfield with Western Products' own 'Trio.'

Gameplay is built around 5 balls for 5 cents, with nine spring bumpers and three kickers providing the scoring challenge. A standout feature is the machine's mechanical backbox animation: three spinning reels display bell fruit or war symbols, slot-machine style, adding an extra layer of chance to each game. The polished metal playfield gives the cabinet a distinctive industrial shine. A four-coin multiple chute version was also available at slight extra cost.

High Fliers' aviation theme, evoking airplanes and wartime flight, reflects popular interest in aviation in the years leading up to and during World War II. Little else is documented about its design credits, but its reel-based backbox animation and shared 'Trio' playfield make it a notable example of Western Products' late-1930s output.