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Aussie Pinball Forums => General Discussion => General Pinball Discussion => Topic started by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on January 01, 2010, 09:09:28 PM

Title: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on January 01, 2010, 09:09:28 PM
Thought I would start a thread on the only Australian Pinball Manufaucturer apart from Cocount Island of course..

HANKIN

Now Hankin Manufactured the following machines:

Orbit 1 - 1978
FJ - 1978 - After the Holden Car, how frekin Aussie is that
Howzat - 1980 - Cricket Theame
Shark -1980
Empire Strikes Back - 1980

Now these games used the same display glass as Gottlieb did at this time the 6 digit Futaba Flurescent...With Bally type pop bumpers etc.

What I want your opinions on is the following:

1. What do you think the importance of these machines is regarding Australaian Pinball History?

2. Do you think the value of these games will increase substasially over the years given the low production numbers and the fact that they were Aus Made?  To me FJ and ESB would be the two most collectable...FJ not only to Pin lovers but also FJ Holden fanatics or Aussie Car buffs... ESB would be popular with any collector of Star Wars Memorobilia?

3.  Is this collection of all machines to be featured in the QLD Pinball museam?

4.  Any other thoughts you wish to add?

Regards
Dean

Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Homepin on January 01, 2010, 09:37:13 PM
I worked on these machines when they were brand new. My boss at the time had a personal friendship with the Hankin family so we bought about 5 of each model to add to the run.

To be honest my recollection of the game play was that they were pretty ordinary......
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Pop Bumper Pete on January 01, 2010, 10:42:12 PM


1. What do you think the importance of these machines is regarding Australaian Pinball History?

2. Do you think the value of these games will increase substasially over the years given the low production numbers and the fact that they were Aus Made?  To me FJ and ESB would be the two most collectable...FJ not only to Pin lovers but also FJ Holden fanatics or Aussie Car buffs... ESB would be popular with any collector of Star Wars Memorobilia?


1) they are a part of pinball history

2) they only had low production runs, it has been noted there were only 350 ESB made
It is now 30 years on, some people on e-bay may think they have something highly collectable, but they are not
If you are a cricket fan, FJ holden fan, or a Star Wasrs fan, the machine itself may have added apeal, but game play wise, they just did not make the grade



Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on January 01, 2010, 10:46:07 PM


It is now 30 years on, some people on e-bay may think they have something highly collectable, but they are not
If you are a cricket fan, FJ holden fan, or a Star Wasrs fan, the machine itself may have added apeal, but game play wise, they just did not make the grade



This one ESB sold for over $3K?


http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280439062757&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280439062757&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT)
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Homepin on January 01, 2010, 11:11:57 PM
This one ESB sold for over $3K?


Yup - there is an idiot born every minute!
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: pinnies4me on January 02, 2010, 12:29:30 AM
This one ESB sold for over $3K?

Before we assume it was a genuine sale, lets make sure we don't see a re-listing in a few weeks time "Due to a non-paying bidder.. .."

If it got the $3K plus amount then it was either a very enthusiatic SW fan who just found out about this game, or someone with a little too much Christmas Spirit (probably JD :)

Be surprised to see that price repeated - this game has its place in pin history, but not at that price IMO. But who knows, stranger things have happened.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Pinballace on January 02, 2010, 06:20:26 AM
Looking at photos of the FJ it looked like a cross between the Gottlieb and Atari pins.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Caveoftreasures on January 02, 2010, 07:48:50 AM
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

no one can say the hankin empire strikes back machine doesnt look bloody unreal. it looks terrific i think.

why doesnt it make the grade ? different strokes for different folks.

RULE Number 1. - EVERY PINBALL MACHINE EVER MADE IS FUN.

RULE Number 2. - Always revert back to rule 1.

It will keep going up in value. Everything Collectable always goes up in value.
  ^^^  *Long live every pinball machine*
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Retropin on January 02, 2010, 09:51:52 AM

It will keep going up in value. Everything Collectable always goes up in value.
  ^^^  *Long live every pinball machine*


Mmmm sort of true... depends how much you pay initially and how long you are prepared to wait to see its value go up... in the last year, value has gone south NOT north... many games that WERE valued at $X are not reaching those figures... i got OFFERED $5K for one of my woodies some 18 months ago.. i turned it down, smiling... i didnt pay that for it obviously but i was happy at its increase in value.
Id be lucky to get $2000 for it now.

Mermaid sold for just under $20,000 - is that its value?? ONE person paid this... noone has paid it since nor will they.. this machine will not go up in value for a very long time

$10,00 KISS with stickers - price has not been repeated despite attempts to cash in by other owners.

$5000 for a GTB HUMPTY DUMPTY - unless the buyer wants another, this will not be repeated.

The rise in value of machines HAS to be exponential... they level off and stay there for LOOOOONG periods of time.. often dropping
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on January 02, 2010, 09:54:31 AM
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

no one can say the hankin empire strikes back machine doesnt look bloody unreal. it looks terrific i think.

why doesnt it make the grade ? different strokes for different folks.

RULE Number 1. - EVERY PINBALL MACHINE EVER MADE IS FUN.

RULE Number 2. - Always revert back to rule 1.

It will keep going up in value. Everything Collectable always goes up in value.
  ^^^  *Long live every pinball machine*

I am with you Caveman...I think the backglass on ESB is great,,similar in some ways to Space Invaders.....I think being low production numbers and Aussie made will see these machines as sought after collectables fetching good money...
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: ddstoys on January 02, 2010, 11:06:43 AM
I like ESB and FJ for there artwork and that fact that they are australian i didnt enjoy the gameplay as much as other machines but id still love one of each in my line up but not for the crazy prices.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: GORGAR 1 on January 02, 2010, 11:11:55 AM
Is there any books or other wright ups on Hankin? I can remember as a kid going into there showroom in Melbourne/I think they where in hoddle street near the Victoria st intersection? by memory. None of there games in my view came close to the Williams/Bally game play but would love to have one as they are Aussie built.

Peter
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: braddo on January 02, 2010, 11:45:40 AM
I remember ESB being a bad player even at the age of 10 (which is saying something), but, with only 350 being made and and absolute ripper to look at, I think it's a big prize to own if your'e are Star Wars nut (i'm not).

I don't know much about Star Wars merchandise but ESB will always be a sought after item IMO. I'm surprised it doesn't reach the prices that Kiss gets. Kiss is a better player but i reckon these types of machines are ornaments rather than games to the fans.

I think cause it's Oz made and perhaps not so known to the entire Star Wars fan universe, the wanting for this machine will grow, it will not lose value. My 2c anyway.

I also agree that ALL pinballs are fun.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Rod71 on January 02, 2010, 12:14:59 PM
I remember ESB being a bad player even at the age of 10 (which is saying something),

I share that exact same memory, and I want my 20 cents back!  %.%
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: SPURR on January 02, 2010, 12:48:50 PM
Hankin had one of its main factories at Darby street in Newcastle, just near were I live. Back in 1975 I had just left school and was looking for an apprenticeship. Being a pinball freak I pested the management many times for a apprentice with there company as a pinball repair tech. They showed me around the complex and what a sight to see all new Gottlieb, Williams, Hankins , pinballs every where! I watched as brand new pins were being mylared before being put on site. After all my pestering they send me a letter to say " Sorry sir we are not looking to put on a apprentice at this stage ".
One block away from Hankin was AWA/Mitsubishi. In 1975 colour TV had just been introduced to OZ so I then started pestering them for a apprenticeship. I got a good news letter a month latter to say you have the job as a TV-Audio technician with there company. So everyday on my way home after work I would pass Hankin and always think how good would it had been to work on something I was totally addicted to.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Marty Machine on January 02, 2010, 01:54:10 PM
It will keep going up in value. Everything Collectable always goes up in value.

Such a generalistic comment couldn't be further from reality.....

Collectable markets are full of hi's & lo's, collectors sell out, new collectors come along, markets get flooded, markets dry up, it's keeps oscillating, but it never constantly increases......NOTHING DOES !

I highly doubt pinballs will reach $100k or $1million in 50-100 years based on your comment   ;-)

MM
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: GORGAR 1 on January 02, 2010, 02:18:12 PM
Hankin had one of its main factories at Darby street in Newcastle, just near were I live. Back in 1975 I had just left school and was looking for an apprenticeship. Being a pinball freak I pested the management many times for a apprentice with there company as a pinball repair tech. They showed me around the complex and what a sight to see all new Gottlieb, Williams, Hankins , pinballs every where! I watched as brand new pins were being mylared before being put on site. After all my pestering they send me a letter to say " Sorry sir we are not looking to put on a apprentice at this stage ".
One block away from Hankin was AWA/Mitsubishi. In 1975 colour TV had just been introduced to OZ so I then started pestering them for a apprenticeship. I got a good news letter a month latter to say you have the job as a TV-Audio technician with there company. So everyday on my way home after work I would pass Hankin and always think how good would it had been to work on something I was totally addicted to.

Great story/looking back did it end up being the right career choice?

Peter
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Pinfan on January 02, 2010, 03:20:25 PM
I've played 3 out of the 5 Hankin's and found all three to have very shallow/boring gameplay...

One thing i really like is the artwork on Shark and ESB.... There's a lot going on in these two playfields..... artwork wise....

On another note i am looking for all of Hankin's flyers so if anyone out there has any i am interested....
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: bossgp on January 02, 2010, 04:50:46 PM
I worked for Hankin's in Brisbane for around 2 years as a tech back in the 80's, I was always fixing these machines in their leisure centres, one in the Valley and the other one upstairs at the top end of Queen Street, when the centres closed they put me in the workshop at Bowen Hills.
I hated the Hankin pinball machines with a passion, always breaking down, driver board faults, cpu board faults,random coil lock on's and burnt coils and stuff, one day when I was off work sick an apprentice went out to do a service call and did not have a fuse to fix  "Howaz" so he put an allen key in it's place, bugger me it burnt the power supply and the driver pcb like hot chips in a fry pan. Management sucked there and no room for advancement so I left Hankins and started my own business, my comment is I found all their games to be sleepy and boring, but I guess that was Australia's answer to pinball.
I think with the advancement of ic's and printed circuit boards these days Australia could make a much better pinball machine if there was indeed a market for them, I have built my own video pinball machine "Silverball Secrets" based on vp .
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Homepin on January 02, 2010, 05:10:01 PM
I worked for Hankin's in Brisbane for around 2 years as a tech back in the 80's, I was always fixing these machines in their leisure centres, one in the Valley and the other one upstairs at the top end of Queen Street, when the centres closed they put me in the workshop at Bowen Hills.
I hated the Hankin pinball machines with a passion, always breaking down, driver board faults, cpu board faults,random coil lock on's and burnt coils and stuff, one day when I was off work sick an apprentice went out to do a service call and did not have a fuse to fix  "Howaz" so he put an allen key in it's place, bugger me it burnt the power supply and the driver pcb like hot chips in a fry pan. Management sucked there and no room for advancement so I left Hankins and started my own business, my comment is I found all their games to be sleepy and boring, but I guess that was Australia's answer to pinball.
I think with the advancement of ic's and printed circuit boards these days Australia could make a much better pinball machine if there was indeed a market for them, I have built my own video pinball machine "Silverball Secrets" based on vp .


Hey Bossgp - we probably knew each other back in those days - I was a TV tech and Musictime employed me the minute electronic machines hit the market. I don't remember having "that" many issues with Hankin machines, I most likely called you for advice from time to time?

I know that I hated electronic Gottliebs with a passion! Stupid coil faults, idiodic choice of 'spider' chips (that was complete madness) - all manner of random resets that could never be tracked down and to top it off the games were mostly rubbish to play. I really doubt that Musictime ever made a dollar out of the Gottliebs - at least the Hankin machines had some appeal to local players.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: ajlaird on January 02, 2010, 09:37:59 PM
Re ESB backglasses: my mate from uni actually helped print these!

Generally speaking the Hankins are not well regarded as good playing machines and this will cap the value somewhat.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't buy one for other reasons, but if you are buying as a collectible then you need to know the above.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on January 02, 2010, 09:42:04 PM
Re ESB backglasses: my mate from uni actually helped print these!

Generally speaking the Hankins are not well regarded as good playing machines and this will cap the value somewhat.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't buy one for other reasons, but if you are buying as a collectible then you need to know the above.

The Backglass with Darth Vader and the lighting effect are the best parts of this machine.  I think with the Star Wars theme and backbox design, coupled with only 350 made (how many left 200??) will see this game increase in value.  FJ may increase also given the popularity of the car...the other hankin pins are not worth much in my opinion..
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: MartyJ on January 02, 2010, 10:58:12 PM
I think some games perhaps hold more sentimental value than actual gameplay.

I spent many holidays as a youngster sweeping the gamesroom floor at the caravan park and doing other odd jobs for the park manager to earn those 20c coins with the black crosses on them (must have been something between the op / manager) to play the Hankin FJ Holden.  I enjoyed the game play (at that time) and keep in mind for a game made circa 1979 it wasn't a terrible effort.  I would certainly like to own one - mostly for the memories but also as a very Australian piece of a hobby I enjoy.

Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Homepin on January 02, 2010, 11:18:25 PM
I think some games perhaps hold more sentimental value than actual gameplay.

I spent many holidays as a youngster sweeping the gamesroom floor at the caravan park and doing other odd jobs for the park manager to earn those 20c coins with the black crosses on them (must have been something between the op / manager) to play the Hankin FJ Holden.  I enjoyed the game play (at that time) and keep in mind for a game made circa 1979 it wasn't a terrible effort.  I would certainly like to own one - mostly for the memories but also as a very Australian piece of a hobby I enjoy.



Don't worry - when we did the collections (counted the cash tin) we 'overlooked' MANY of those crossed coins - hahahah

Some 'sites' believed that if they put a 'nikko pen' cross on the 20c piece it would be returned to them - I made sure they got about 25% of them - but I'm a prick!
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: ddstoys on January 02, 2010, 11:22:59 PM
I think some games perhaps hold more sentimental value than actual gameplay.

I spent many holidays as a youngster sweeping the gamesroom floor at the caravan park and doing other odd jobs for the park manager to earn those 20c coins with the black crosses on them (must have been something between the op / manager) to play the Hankin FJ Holden.  I enjoyed the game play (at that time) and keep in mind for a game made circa 1979 it wasn't a terrible effort.  I would certainly like to own one - mostly for the memories but also as a very Australian piece of a hobby I enjoy.





Don't worry - when we did the collections (counted the cash tin) we 'overlooked' MANY of those crossed coins - hahahah

Some 'sites' believed that if they put a 'nikko pen' cross on the 20c piece it would be returned to them - I made sure they got about 25% of them - but I'm a prick!

THATS FUNNY  That reminded me when i used to work at the local milk bar (Grade 3 maybe) the owner used to pay me $2 to fill the fridges and always gave me a few 20c coins with a cross on them for the games in the corner
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: shansta on January 02, 2010, 11:55:39 PM
Had a look at the bid history on that ESB - there were 3 people who all bid 3K plus...  !@#

Bit of love out there for the old Aussie... (But it IS a nice backglass!)
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: shansta on January 02, 2010, 11:59:20 PM
One block away from Hankin was AWA/Mitsubishi. In 1975 colour TV had just been introduced to OZ so I then started pestering them for a apprenticeship. I got a good news letter a month latter to say you have the job as a TV-Audio technician with there company. So everyday on my way home after work I would pass Hankin and always think how good would it had been to work on something I was totally addicted to.

And here you are 30 odd years later on a pinball forum...

I think it was a huge shame you didn't get the job! Imagine...

Is that a Hankin in your avatar?  :lol
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: SPURR on January 04, 2010, 09:08:52 PM
Hankin had one of its main factories at Darby street in Newcastle, just near were I live. Back in 1975 I had just left school and was looking for an apprenticeship. Being a pinball freak I pested the management many times for a apprentice with there company as a pinball repair tech. They showed me around the complex and what a sight to see all new Gottlieb, Williams, Hankins , pinballs every where! I watched as brand new pins were being mylared before being put on site. After all my pestering they send me a letter to say " Sorry sir we are not looking to put on a apprentice at this stage ".
One block away from Hankin was AWA/Mitsubishi. In 1975 colour TV had just been introduced to OZ so I then started pestering them for a apprenticeship. I got a good news letter a month latter to say you have the job as a TV-Audio technician with there company. So everyday on my way home after work I would pass Hankin and always think how good would it had been to work on something I was totally addicted to.

Great story/looking back did it end up being the right career choice?

Peter

Yes Peter I think it was a good move. I ended up with a job at ABC television here in Newcastle where we looked after ABC TV,ABC FM, JJJ and SBS. I spose now I get the best of both worlds I get to repair audio, visual and pinballs.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: pinball-collector on January 04, 2010, 11:08:56 PM
yeah,,the Hankin Pins,,, yes they are boring to play,, l agree,, l like them, because they are Aussie made, they are a hard machine to put a value on... But lm happy to say that l have the full collection. plus an extra ESB, shark, Howzat,,,love the art work, on them.  have a full list of my machines in the pinballs lists..
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Extra Ball on January 04, 2010, 11:23:54 PM
Hankin had one of its main factories at Darby street in Newcastle, just near were I live. Back in 1975 I had just left school and was looking for an apprenticeship. Being a pinball freak I pested the management many times for a apprentice with there company as a pinball repair tech. They showed me around the complex and what a sight to see all new Gottlieb, Williams, Hankins , pinballs every where! I watched as brand new pins were being mylared before being put on site. After all my pestering they send me a letter to say " Sorry sir we are not looking to put on a apprentice at this stage ".
One block away from Hankin was AWA/Mitsubishi. In 1975 colour TV had just been introduced to OZ so I then started pestering them for a apprenticeship. I got a good news letter a month latter to say you have the job as a TV-Audio technician with there company. So everyday on my way home after work I would pass Hankin and always think how good would it had been to work on something I was totally addicted to.

Great story/looking back did it end up being the right career choice?

Peter

Yes Peter I think it was a good move. I ended up with a job at ABC television here in Newcastle where we looked after ABC TV,ABC FM, JJJ and SBS. I spose now I get the best of both worlds I get to repair audio, visual and pinballs.

Spurr can repair pinballs, but he prefers to pull them apart and leave em bits, that or hang them up as wall art.
 !^!
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on March 29, 2013, 09:50:07 AM
I would like an FJ if I could get at a decent price. Just for the Australiana fact
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Freiherr on March 29, 2013, 10:23:30 AM
I would like an FJ if I could get at a decent price. Just for the Australiana fact

One on offer for $3950. Lot of mulah for eye candy.
http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/lot/JTFL5KD8AAODDU7D
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Crashramp on March 29, 2013, 10:30:47 AM
I've just been reading through the rest of this thread. There was lots of talk about these games future worth, as well as wether or not some of the eBay prices will be repeated and even the likleyhood of non payment by winning bidders at the prices being asked. Funny how history repeats.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/DENNIS-LILLEES-HOWZAT-PINBALL-MACHINE-/130877417495?pt=AU_CoinOp&hash=item1e78e6e817&_uhb=1#ht_3044wt_161

I think most here would be surprised if someone was willing to pay the 6k for this machine however not many here would be surprised to see this machine relisted due to non payment.

I haven't played any of the Hankin machines but do have to agree despite what people have said about boring game play, they do look very nice. ESB is a beauty in MHO.

Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: swinks on March 29, 2013, 10:43:18 AM
from what I heard from pinfest last year as there was 2 there, that did not have them on public play because of the fear of over heating and parts failure as parts are very hard to find.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Retropin on March 29, 2013, 10:49:03 AM
ESB was on for a short period and i managed to get a game with a sloppy flipper.. great looking game for sure but lacks pretty much everything in game play. This is a title that should never have been a wide body
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Freiherr on March 29, 2013, 10:52:43 AM
from what I heard from pinfest last year as there was 2 there, that did not have them on public play because of the fear of over heating and parts failure as parts are very hard to find.

There were not many Hankins in the wild during late 70s and the few that were there had the Out Of Order sign displayed a lot. Not an exciting player but certainly had the art factor.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Homepin on March 29, 2013, 11:10:18 AM
from what I heard from pinfest last year as there was 2 there, that did not have them on public play because of the fear of over heating and parts failure as parts are very hard to find.

That's exactly right. It is why a few people at Pinfest twisted my arm and convinved me to re-create the full board set for these machines.

The MPU is finished and we are closing in on all the other boards pretty quickly now.

It takes a fair while from the "ïdea" of making a large board to actually having one for sale - let alone a full set of four boards.

They all bring their own challenges with modifications, parts substitutions and parts procuring before the final design is settled on.

Once these boards are ready there should be no reason for any Hankin machine to be unreliable.

 
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Crashramp on March 29, 2013, 11:16:05 AM
from what I heard from pinfest last year as there was 2 there, that did not have them on public play because of the fear of over heating and parts failure as parts are very hard to find.

That's exactly right. It is why a few people at Pinfest twisted my arm and convinved me to re-create the full board set for these machines.

The MPU is finished and we are closing in on all the other boards pretty quickly now.

It takes a fair while from the "ïdea" of making a large board to actually having one for sale - let alone a full set of four boards.

They all bring their own challenges with modifications, parts substitutions and parts procuring before the final design is settled on.

Once these boards are ready there should be no reason for any Hankin machine to be unreliable.

 

That's great news for Hankin owners!  ^^^
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Mr Pinbologist on March 29, 2013, 04:42:27 PM
ESB was on for a short period and i managed to get a game with a sloppy flipper.. great looking game for sure but lacks pretty much everything in game play. This is a title that should never have been a wide body

+1, Ian (AP member howzat) and I managed to get a game as well,

Heres a video i took on my digital camera.. apologies for the quality.. or rather lack of  !@)

Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: GORGAR 1 on March 29, 2013, 07:52:03 PM
Cheers for above video it surprised me how fast the game played..

Peter
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: ddstoys on March 29, 2013, 08:48:48 PM
My ESB is packed up at the moment but I definately miss the backbox in the shed.   Ill restore it one day I struggle to get the motivation because it is pretty boring to play.    Would also love an FJ just for the artwork
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Pintoxicated on March 30, 2013, 08:49:07 AM
from what I heard from pinfest last year as there was 2 there, that did not have them on public play because of the fear of over heating and parts failure as parts are very hard to find.

That's exactly right. It is why a few people at Pinfest twisted my arm and convinved me to re-create the full board set for these machines.

The MPU is finished and we are closing in on all the other boards pretty quickly now.

It takes a fair while from the "ïdea" of making a large board to actually having one for sale - let alone a full set of four boards.

They all bring their own challenges with modifications, parts substitutions and parts procuring before the final design is settled on.

Once these boards are ready there should be no reason for any Hankin machine to be unreliable.

 

This is where we might see the value of Hankin machines increase, same as what happened with the introduction of the Pascal and Ni-Wumpf boards for Sys 1 machines.  Anyone who fears the repairs and unreliability of a Hankin machine won't have to worry in the future.  Hats off to you Mike.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Strangeways on March 30, 2013, 11:56:03 AM
I think what Mike is doing is great for the remainder of machines that are still out there. Unfortunately, many hit landfill in the mid eighties. I don't think many were exported (if any) - I've never seen one re imported.

The price for the "Howzat" is a joke. No one is that stupid to pay over twice the value of the game.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: howzat on March 30, 2013, 12:00:23 PM
I have my Howzat and its a keeper     Its from my past days    They had all the Hankins in Orbit lesiure center  Parramatta    I find that there is a few issues like slow bumpers  and the displays have ghosting   Apart from that the ball flies around the Pf quite fast  and its always keeps me challenged
 
Im thinking that Mikes new board is the way to go ,as Mitch reckons it should fix the ghosting  and he recently he sorted out the bumpers

The art on these games is very colorful and David Hankin told me at Pinfest that they copied Bally Space invaders B/G for E S B    I Had to laugh    :lol      

Just one final thing I was told that Hankins owned the Orbit lesiure centre chain     Dose any one know of this       Howzat
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Freiherr on March 30, 2013, 12:46:47 PM
   

Just one final thing I was told that Hankins owned the Orbit lesiure centre chain     Dose any one know of this       Howzat

That would not surprise me as I remember only seeing them at Orbit in the early 80s.

Another question someone may have answer to, did Stern Meteor get assembled at Hankin facility in Newcastle? I know that Aust. Meteors were assembled in Newcastle. Economies of scale would indicate that they were assembled on an existing production line.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: The pinballist formally known as Dean Morgan on March 30, 2013, 01:15:35 PM
   

Just one final thing I was told that Hankins owned the Orbit lesiure centre chain     Dose any one know of this       Howzat

That would not surprise me as I remember only seeing them at Orbit in the early 80s.

Another question someone may have answer to, did Stern Meteor get assembled at Hankin facility in Newcastle? I know that Aust. Meteors were assembled in Newcastle. Economies of scale would indicate that they were assembled on an existing production line.


Weren't the Meteor's done by Leusire and Allied?
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Freiherr on March 30, 2013, 01:19:15 PM
   

Just one final thing I was told that Hankins owned the Orbit lesiure centre chain     Dose any one know of this       Howzat

That would not surprise me as I remember only seeing them at Orbit in the early 80s.

Another question someone may have answer to, did Stern Meteor get assembled at Hankin facility in Newcastle? I know that Aust. Meteors were assembled in Newcastle. Economies of scale would indicate that they were assembled on an existing production line.


Weren't the Meteor's done by Leusire and Allied?

Were they made in Perth?
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Strangeways on March 31, 2013, 11:51:50 PM
   

Just one final thing I was told that Hankins owned the Orbit lesiure centre chain     Dose any one know of this       Howzat

That would not surprise me as I remember only seeing them at Orbit in the early 80s.

Another question someone may have answer to, did Stern Meteor get assembled at Hankin facility in Newcastle? I know that Aust. Meteors were assembled in Newcastle. Economies of scale would indicate that they were assembled on an existing production line.


Weren't the Meteor's done by Leusire and Allied?

An interesting question. As far I can remember, Meteor and Galaxy were made under license by Leisure and Allied in Newcastle. Somewhere along the line, Cosmic Princess was introduced as a "kit" to bypass import duties of entire games from the USA. These were also done at a factory in Newcastle.

It would be interesting to see what David Hankin has to say about this - maybe Mike can ask him ? Interesting piece of history.
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: shamus on April 01, 2013, 12:32:17 AM
im sure hankins also imported the early gottliebs as an ex-owner of a high hand it had a hankins sticker on the apron an excellent mylar job on the playfied and daggy woodgrain stuck around the shooter arch and pop bumpers which preseved well. after peeling the woodgrain shit off and cleaning the playfield came up brillant.anyone know of any other em,s with a similar history ?
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: ralph67 on April 01, 2013, 02:21:30 AM
im sure hankins also imported the early gottliebs as an ex-owner of a high hand it had a hankins sticker on the apron an excellent mylar job on the playfied and daggy woodgrain stuck around the shooter arch and pop bumpers which preseved well. after peeling the woodgrain shit off and cleaning the playfield came up brillant.anyone know of any other em,s with a similar history ?
Yes a mate is restoring a Gottlieb wedgehead (Top Card) and it has the woodgrain applied to shooter arch area and i have a couple of stripped gottlieb PF's that have the same woodgrain applied . I did wonder who or why this was done because its a different way of protecting the PF . These PF's are over here in WA
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: ralph67 on April 01, 2013, 02:30:08 AM
   

Just one final thing I was told that Hankins owned the Orbit lesiure centre chain     Dose any one know of this       Howzat

That would not surprise me as I remember only seeing them at Orbit in the early 80s.

Another question someone may have answer to, did Stern Meteor get assembled at Hankin facility in Newcastle? I know that Aust. Meteors were assembled in Newcastle. Economies of scale would indicate that they were assembled on an existing production line.


Weren't the Meteor's done by Leusire and Allied?

Were they made in Perth?
I have been told by a former LAI worker that Hot Hand ,Cosmic Princess and others were made/assembled at the LAI factory in North Perth . Also was told games were Made/assembled at other locations around Australia . On a footnote i have seen Meteor backglasses With the LAI logo aswell as the Stern Logo . Whilst others just have the Stern Logo
Title: Re: Hankin - The Australian Pinball
Post by: Freiherr on April 01, 2013, 08:46:09 AM

I have been told by a former LAI worker that Hot Hand ,Cosmic Princess and others were made/assembled at the LAI factory in North Perth . Also was told games were Made/assembled at other locations around Australia . On a footnote i have seen Meteor backglasses With the LAI logo aswell as the Stern Logo . Whilst others just have the Stern Logo

Thanks Ralph for your answer. I remember an operator telling me years ago that the Sterns he had were assembled in Aust. It would be interesting to know just how many and which titles were done here. That just goes to show how big the pinball industry was back in the 70s. Some people must be out there who were on the assembly lines of Hankin and LAI. Wouldn't that make a great historic recollection of the past!