Star-Jet
Bally, 1963Here is my latest addition: a 50-year old Bally Star-jet pin. I love its retro-Sci-Fi art. Ahead of its time with its multiball feature (up to 3 balls at the same time). This was not the first pin where you could play several balls at the same time, but possibly the first with "lock" and release ball(s) features (?).
Should be placed soon right besides Nemo (Quetzal 2013)... to illustrate 50 years of Multiball within a few feet.
PF is fine but backglass will require emergency care. Plays great!
Really nice score - and looks in much better condition than I'd expect. Love the comic book style artwork on many of these older machines.
You might look to get some better floor protectors - looks like it left a nasty scratch on the wood floor.
Quoted from Pin-it:Could never understand the blocked out score reel?
I'm sure its a backlit number 1 rather than a score reel. This was common on older machines where there was more anticipation of rolling over the highest denomination score reel, but to keep cost down by not adding another score reel - particularly when most machines only had the three bank reels. In this case I'm sure the multi-ball feature prompted this.
Knew there was a one.
They should have done it in reverse meaning put a dummy at the first number then raise the value of the others (like they did in some of the 70s era EMs)
Just looks outta place with a lit one IMO.
The Gottlieb I have has it I just think the blocked out score reel window detracts from what a better looking backglass it could be.
Like this--->
The one place may well be a dummy of there are no 1pt score targets. If there wasn't an expectation of the thousands going above 1 and no 1pt targets, then having only two active reels would save even more on production costs (the reel factor behind these decisions). Not sure I've seen a game with an active one's reels where there were no 1pt targets.
Yes great artwork.
Fits right in with the "Jetsons" cartoon which originally ran from 1962-1963 and where the idea for this pin may have come from.
"Lost In Space" the TV series would not premier until 1965 so it is safe to say that the "Star-Jet" machine was not influenced by this show, but one could entertain the opposite idea although far fetched and very unlikely.
Ken
Thanks all for the kind words! To answer a few specific comments:
Quoted from wizzardz:You might look to get some better floor protectors - looks like it left a nasty scratch on the wood floor.
...fortunately not on my floor ! These pictures were taken at the previous owner's place. Needless to say, I have these protectors installed!
Quoted from wizzardz:I'm sure its a backlit number 1 rather than a score reel. This was common on older machines where there was more anticipation of rolling over the highest denomination score reel, but to keep cost down by not adding another score reel - particularly when most machines only had the three bank reels. In this case I'm sure the multi-ball feature prompted this.
Right. Took me several games to reach 1000 and lit that number! Note that there are number of 1-pt targets, so the first reel does change...
Quoted from Rody:Shay recently did a run of back glasses by pre-order, they've not responded to any of my inquiries on extras, you may have better luck.
Will look for a new / repro backglass or try to save the current one. Thanks for the tip!
Quoted from wizzardz:The one place may well be a dummy of there are no 1pt score targets.
I think you will find that the bumpers are 1 point unless lite.
Quoted from jlm33:Here is my latest addition: a 50-year old Bally Star-jet pin. I love its retro-Sci-Fi art.
Artwork is great.
Looks like a fun Multi-Ball game.
If they have one at the PHOF I'll have to try it out. 
Ken
Edit
Quoted from jlm33:backglass will require emergency care. Plays great!
Quoting myself... going senile !?
Just to add that I finally found a backglass reproduction from the Shay Arcade Group, Inc. This was the last one in stock so I jumped in without thinking twice. Will send pictures when received. Always worried about transport !
My current Star-jet backglass is really in bad shape, but that's better than nothing. If anyone needs one and has restauration skills, PM me. I would rather see it on another machine than hanging on a wall after a sloppy restauration.
I got a Shay reproduction for my So76. It was packaged extremely well.
The only thing I can say about Shay's glass is the silvering is not quite thick enough as you can notice a little light bleed in some areas. Other than that the glass looks fantastic.
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Villejuif
Roanoke, VA
Could never understand the blocked out score reel?
