Quoted from aerobert:Looks like a sweet game.
Homepin have made a number of tweaks since Pinfest. I’m looking forward to playing it again soon.
(Topic ID: 172723)
Linked Games
Thunderbirds
Homepin, 2018
Topic Gallery
Melbourne
Will be interesting to play. The center placed ramp really does not appeal aesthetically, and being square on, I wonder how well it works (ie does the ball crash into the sides of the ramp?)
Quality and longevity is going to be interesting too, not sure if these are coming out of the same factory that built "those" Lowboys?
Quoted from PinSinner:There are lots of great updates on Facebook for anyone interested. Here is one of the latest:
"A couple of pictures I took this morning for no particular reason other than FINALLY - after four years of hard slog - there are pinball machines actually being MANUFACTURED, from the ground up, in the Homepin factory!!!"
Is that pic the final playfield or a sample?
Quoted from vegemite_nick:Will be interesting to play. The center placed ramp really does not appeal aesthetically, and being square on, I wonder how well it works (ie does the ball crash into the sides of the ramp?)
Quality and longevity is going to be interesting too, not sure if these are coming out of the same factory that built "those" Lowboys?
Each to their own the aesthetics. IMO the machine looks and sounds fantastic. The entry to the ramp is not exactly square on but accuracy is key on that middle ramp. Build quality and longevity will not be an issue as Homepin are building these on site in their factory and Mike is on site to oversee the whole process. This is not an outsourced machine by any stretch. Almost everything is designed by Homepin and manufactured in house.
Quoted from Toads:Is that pic the final playfield or a sample?
I assume it is the final design, but I'm not sure on that Toads.
Here is a YouTube video recently released.
“PLEASE NOTE: The game play footage in this video is all of our factory machine that has undergone many changes over the past year. You will see in the video the flyover ramp jumps about because it isn't screwed in and it is also one of our 1mm prototypes made "in house". Final machines have a 2mm ramp made by an outside vendor.
There are several other things that might be seen in the video that don't fit with the final machines, one is the audio and sound effects which can't really be heard very well in this video - please accept it for what it is - an overview of the Homepin factory, what we are doing and how we are progressing, IT IS NOT a definitive "screw by screw" description of the final Thunderbirds Pinball machine.
Some of the narration also isn't 100% accurate - again, please take this for what it is and don't read into it things that simply are not meant to be there.”
Here is another Facebook update for those still interested:
"We bundled up a finished test machine yesterday and drove to Guangzhou, about a two hour drive from the factory. Installed the machine in a Canadian Ex-pat bar called "The Brew".
This machine is set up to accept notes and also WeChat and AliPay (much like ApplePay but Chinese). You just scan the QR code with your phone and credits appear on the machine.
All worked well until we arrived back at the factory the next day and the bar owner sent the picture of the trapped ball. Hahaha, we have never seen a ball stuck here before so it's back to the factory floor to make a little bracket to prevent this.
This machine is basically fully finished except for the plastic ramp as the outside vendor cannot make these until after Chinese New Year. This machine still has our "in-house made" ramp fitted. Being the first fully finished test machine out on site should help us track down any small issues like this before we launch into full production.
The final two test machines are being build right now so we can submit them for EMC/CE approvals straight after Chinese New Year."
Another update for y'all:
"We have started to cut cabinet parts for our first full run of pinball machines. Chinese New Year is fast approaching but we will see how much we can get done before it.
These cabinets are all for a full size door for export."
Bridgton, ME
Quoted from spoke:Loved thunderbirds when I was a kid, I hope to see one of these in the US someday so I can check it out. Are they planning to bring it to any of the big shows?
I don't think that Homepin have any plans yet to take it to any US shows. However I'm fairly sure they are lining up a distributor for you guys. It is just that the first couple of containers are already spoken for. After the first couple of runs, they will start finding their way over to you.
Abbotsford, BC
Quoted from PinSinner:I don't think that Homepin have any plans yet to take it to any US shows. However I'm fairly sure they are lining up a distributor for you guys. It is just that the first couple of containers are already spoken for. After the first couple of runs, they will start finding their way over to you.
Quoted from FlipperFreak:Nitro will have one at the Northwest Pinball Show June 8-10 in Tacoma, WA.
Have you heard whether production machines will have standard pfs that are printed and cleared ... or will they be like the proto shown in September that had a whitewood pf and printed makrolon over the top?
Haven't seen this addressed anywhere.
1 week later
Whats the price for this game?Could be a nice pinball to buy since my dad was a huge ''Les Sentinelles de l'air'' fan
Quoted from VGC1612:Whats the price for this game?Could be a nice pinball to buy since my dad was a huge ''Les Sentinelles de l'air'' fan
Please contact Nitro Pinball, they will be able to help.
1 week later
A few more updates from Facebook:
"Our export cabinets are currently being built. The main difference to domestic China ones is these have a full size door. Our pinball cabinets are 100% AAA grade plywood.
The main cabinet is 13 ply, 18mm with a 12mm ply base. No chipboard or MDF is used in these cabinets.
The corners are screwed AND glued for maximum strength."
And
"Our full page ad in the upcoming issue of Pinball Magazine."
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Quoted from aeneas:http://www.highwaygames.com site that's mentioned on the flyer seems to be down ?
Works ok for me 
Simple program updates with plug in module. That's new and glad it was added. Looking forward to the review of the revised game.
He had me sold on the idea of not being able to update my pinball...not sure if I want one that I can update now.
He explained it so well the first time around, this seems to be a step backwards and dangerous for all owners of his pinball machine. He really enlightened all of us back then...why flip flop when you were so convincing and convinced.
Sarcasm, in case you didn't get it....
It was obviously a very unpopular opinion (non-updatable game), and he reconsidered. Good for him and good for the game. We'll see what other changes were made.
Quoted from DerGoetz:He had me sold on the idea of not being able to update my pinball...not sure if I want one that I can update now.
He explained it so well the first time around, this seems to be a step backwards and dangerous for all owners of his pinball machine. He really enlightened all of us back then...why flip flop when you were so convincing and convinced.
Sarcasm, in case you didn't get it....
The Orange DMD is very retro,.. but I hope Mike will do a colour upgrade option at some point,.. or maybe ColorDMD will look in to it, if the pin proves popular enough.
Quoted from mrWol64:The Orange DMD is very retro,.. but I hope Mike will do a colour upgrade option at some point,.. or maybe ColorDMD will look in to it, if the pin proves popular enough.
Mike was very vocal against colorizing this game. Unless he changes his tune it would have to be a third party option.
Quoted from snakesnsparklers:Mike was very vocal against colorizing this game. Unless he changes his tune it would have to be a third party option.
True,.. however if enough folks suggest they’d like to give him some after sales $, like any good businessman he can change his mind and still protest the asthetics at the same time. Given the price is very accessable compared to a lot of NIB pins, there could be a load of mods/upgrades requested if this goes well,..
Quoted from PinSinner:Each to their own the aesthetics. IMO the machine looks and sounds fantastic. The entry to the ramp is not exactly square on but accuracy is key on that middle ramp. Build quality and longevity will not be an issue as Homepin are building these on site in their factory and Mike is on site to oversee the whole process. This is not an outsourced machine by any stretch. Almost everything is designed by Homepin and manufactured in house.
The center ramp was clunky and unsatisfying even with an accurate shot.
Quoted from John1210:The center ramp was clunky and unsatisfying even with an accurate shot.
Well lets wait n see what the ramp on the finished pin is like.
Cabinet build quality is exceptional.
Cabinet decals have a slight texture to them.
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Metal leg protectors. Nice.
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Edges on the front of the head are gloss black. Nice.
The backglass is one piece printed plexiglass.
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Check out the Corner brackets in the head box. Stainless! This ain’t gonna come apart. Head is secured with 2x bolts, just like the old Ballys and Sterns from the 70s/80s.
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The DMD/speaker panel is hinged, sorta like some Segas - but way better, this has huge commercial kitchen type hinges on it.
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Leg levellers have rubber feet on them. Look like they’d take 1000kgs of weight! Real heavy duty.
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This one has the smaller coin door. Inside the door is a cool quality made metal coin box, secured with a little padlock! Ready to take money.
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Playfield has a plastic protective covering on it for shipping. Looks like it needs to be removed before playing. Good colour on the PF.
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rd
Quoted from rotordave:Playfield has a plastic protective covering on it for shipping. Looks like it needs to be removed before playing. Good colour on the PF.
How easy is it to remove the plastc covering?
Quoted from russdx:pictures of all the electronics pretty please
OK - since you insist, here they are but it is TOP secret!!
Quoted from Homepin:OK - since you insist, here they are but it is TOP secret!!
Reel to reel, and(!) 33/45 rpm vinyl support.... this machine is at the bleeding edge for sure. Lack of a Betamax slot is a concern,.. future upgrade potential ?? 
Quoted from rotordave:Look what arrived at my house ....
rd
Congrats. Any day a NIB shows up is a great day. When you're the first, even better 
.
Quoted from rotordave:Inside the cabinet ....
rd
Fantastic! They don't build'em like that anymore. Good to see Homepin putting the quality back in.
Quoted from Jvspin:Fantastic! They don't build'em like that anymore. Good to see Homepin putting the quality back in.
Relays are where it’s at. 
rd
Quoted from oldskool1969:C,mon Dave. Havent you played it yet? What is it like? is it better?
the pinball world is waiting!
It shipped out nearly two months ago so it doesn't have the latest board sets and many smaller things.
I will be taking these updated parts to NZ this week and setting it up with the latest bits and pieces - all except the plastic ramp as that factory is still not back from CNY so it is currently holding up all of our production.
What isn't realised by many is that things like this plastic ramp, as simple as it is, can take MORE THAN a year from concept to finished part. Extend that across dozens of different parts and you start to realise delays of a year or even two are perfectly "normal".
Quoted from Homepin:What isn't realised by many is that things like this plastic ramp, as simple as it is, can take MORE THAN a year from concept to finished part. Extend that across dozens of different parts and you start to realise delays of a year or even two are perfectly "normal".
That's hard to believe since Houdini went from literally NOTHING to a fully finished prototype with production ramps in four months, and shipping production games in under a year.
Quoted from jwilson:That's hard to believe since Houdini went from literally NOTHING to a fully finished prototype with production ramps in four months, and shipping production games in under a year.
Great for them. They are using STANDARD parts available off the shelf for the most part. We are not.
This ramp has caused a lot of problems for many reasons. We are on our second factory and the third version due many small changes. Throw two Chinese New Year breaks (of 2 months each) into the mix and there are your delays.
It just isn't that simple.
EDIT: It also helps A LOT when you have a virtually unlimited budget which Homepin most certainly does not!
Quoted from Shapeshifter:Look forward to gameplay reviews
Quoted from oldskool1969:C,mon Dave. Havent you played it yet
Simple answer: no.
Busy preparing my collection for Pincade next weekend. 130-150 people will be descending on my house.
Did 12 hours straight on Friday.
Did 16 hours yesterday.
Done 11 hours already today, with more to come.
It’s hard being the force of one ... but it’ll all get done.
rd
Quoted from rotordave:Simple answer: no.
Busy preparing my collection for Pincade next weekend. 130-150 people will be descending on my house.
Did 12 hours straight on Friday.
Did 16 hours yesterday.
Done 11 hours already today, with more to come.
It’s hard being the force of one ... but it’ll all get done.
rd
Lies.
I Have seen your child labor pics
Quoted from FalconPunch:Lies.
I Have seen your child labor pics
Yes, I had to call in the troop.
Unfortunately the troop lasts about 20 minutes at a time before getting bored and goes back to doing her homework lol
rd
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