Blue Max

Released by Chicago Coin Machine Manufacturing Company on July 10, 1975, Blue Max is an adventure-combat themed electro-mechanical pinball machine designed by Jerry Koci, Albin Peters, and Wendell McAdams. Chicago Coin produced this four-player game as model number 461, with an operator price of $1,095 FOB Chicago as documented in authorized distributor newsletters from November 1975.

The playfield features two flippers, two pop bumpers, two slingshots, two spinning targets, two drop targets, one kick-out hole, and end-of-ball bonus capability. The machine draws inspiration from World War I aerial combat, particularly referencing the prestigious German military award Pour le Mérite, informally known as The Blue Max, which was awarded to ace fighter pilots. The aviation-themed artwork depicts dramatic aerial combat scenes characteristic of Chicago Coins illustration style.

Blue Max represents Chicago Coins commitment to electro-mechanical design during the mid-1970s transition to solid-state electronics. The two-player version of this game was released as Chicago Coins 1975 Red Baron with different artwork. The machine combines historical military aviation themes with sophisticated EM-era gameplay mechanics, exemplifying the quality and creativity that defined Chicago Coin during the final years of electro-mechanical pinball production.