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WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:17 pm
by woody
I am trying to put together a list of machines which have a war theme to them. I am failrly new to this hobby and would be grateful for any help in starting a list. Pictures of the various machines would also be good. I have this strange idea that I should focus my collection in this area, but no doubt these machines fetch a premium. Any help greatly appreciated.

Woody

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:31 am
by pennymachines
Interesting question. There must be dozens. But while you wait for the Museum to open, I'll set the ball-bearing rolling with a couple of allwins. The first is called Fleet Air Arm, I think, and is one of a set of three war theme allwins with electric payouts.

Victory Ball by Oliver Whales was made to celebrate the end of WWII and was partly the inspiration for this site's homepage.

J Peterson recently showed me a pre-cursor to this: Khyber Pass made in 1943.

Allies Flags, The Improved Bomb Dropper, Victory Flags, Target Tonight are just a few other names that spring to mind.

As for fetching a premium... so far the most sought-after allwins have been those with space travel and fairground themes. But any strong theme with historical interest is good.

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:38 pm
by woody
Wow
Thanks for the fast response. I will wait for the museum to open and hopefully see some more pictures. I have put an ad in the wanted section of the website... so I will see if that gets a response. I need to keep my eye out at auctions for such machines.

I look forward to owning one of these machines one day!

Thanks for your informative reply,

Woody.

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:49 pm
by john t peterson
I think you're onto something special, Woody with your interest in war time games. I am currently writing an article on what I think is a unique war game from 1943, "Khyber Pass" by Oliver Whales. I will have a picture or two of it to post a little while later. In the meantime, here is a picture of the more traditonal fare produced by Whales during or shortly after the war, a giant allwin "Major."

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:16 pm
by john t peterson
My latest article on the WW II machine "Khyber Pass", is now available in the Arena section.

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2005 8:58 pm
by woody
John I have just read your article. An excellent read and very informative. These machines certainly make an historical statement. I look forward to your next article and thanks for sharing the Khyber Pass machine with us.

Best Wishes

Woody

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Sep 18, 2007 5:44 pm
by woody
I am still in the process of trying to put together a complete lsit of all the amusement machines which are WW1 and WW2 related. I am also trying to get some good photos. If anyone can give any help - it would be much appreciated.

To keep the ball rolling :) I have hopefully attached photos of Bomber Command and Spitfire, which I have recently added to my small collection.

All the best

Woody

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 10:28 pm
by nobby.pennytoy
Here's a photo of the 'Conquerors Flags' made by the Automatic Novelty Company of London,circa 1916.There is one also pictured in the book Automatic Pleasures by Nic Costa,but you will notice it has been incorrectly titled 'Allies Flags'.

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:06 am
by arrgee
Just read John Peterson's article on the Khyber Pass, and would commend this to all who have an interest in slot machines.

Johns erudite easy writing style always gives the reader much more than plain information and remind me of Alistair Cookes 'Letters from America', the articles are always interesting, very informative and enjoyable to read.

Another excellent article John, well done.

Richard

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:15 pm
by john t peterson
Thank you for your kind and generous comments, Richard. I am always pleased when someone enjoys what I have written. My exploration of British war games is on the back burner right now but I haven't lost the passion for these special machines from a most unique time in history.

Kind regards,

John Peterson, USA

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 7:58 am
by woody
Thanks for posting the photo of the Allies Flags - great looking machine.

All the best

Woody

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:50 pm
by nobby.pennytoy
Hi Woody,
You're welcome. Please note. it is not the 'Allies Flags' as miss-quoted in the Automatic Pleasures book, but is actually 'The Conquerors Flags'
Regards,
Nobby.Pennytoy.

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:27 pm
by woody
Here is a photo of my latest purchase. It is Airplane by BMC. Are there any more War time / War theme machines out there to add to the list?

Regards

Woody

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:40 pm
by john t peterson
Woody,

That is a terrific looking BM Co. allwin. It appears to have the original topflash which is an added bonus. All too many of them were lost over the years. Your game is also an autopay machine which only adds to the rarity and value. You have a wonderful game in this one.

I am still planning on writing an article on British games with a war theme or from the war years. I've just finished an article on imports to the British market and will get to the war games in short order. I will post something here when the article is completed.

Kind regards,

John Peterson USA

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 1:00 am
by JC
Yes, nice machine Woody. And as John says, it's always an added bonus to find a BMCo machine with it's top flash. However, I have serious doubts as to whether it's original. The artwork within certainly doesn't look new, but the whole thing just looks wrong. These larger top flashes were normally found on the much larger (non allwin) BMCo wall machines - the relatively small allwins had smaller top flashes, which were very 'squat' in height.
Can anyone else confirm whether the small BMCo allwins were ever fitted with large top flashes?

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:35 am
by arrgee
Like it Woody, reminds me of this machine a few months ago on ebay, advertised as a BMco war time allwin, not sure if it is, looks quite a nice machine, unfortunately didn't have the funds available at the time to purchase. :cry:

Has anyone out there seen this before ?

I look forward to your war games article John.

Richard

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 3:32 pm
by woody
Hi All,

I think the top flash on the Airplane is a later addition and not original.
Like the ebay machine - I have one like it - Photo attached.

Thanks for posting the photos.

Best Wishes,

Woody.

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 4:03 pm
by woody
Arrgee

Forgot to ask - can you recall how much the machine sold for on ebay please?

Cheers

Woody

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 6:10 pm
by arrgee
Can't remember what it went for Woody.

Your machine looks identical, even down to the shape and size of the two chip marks on the inside of the glass on the left, between the runners (the vendor told me they were chip marks when I enquired). I suspect it is the very machine, perhaps you subsequently bought it from the person who won it on ebay?.

regards

Richard

Re: WW1 and WW2 related machines

Posted: Thu Nov 29, 2007 7:34 pm
by woody
Ah - Could be, but my machine has the red white and blue circular decal and no top flash - so I am not sure now...

Cheers,

Woody.