{"id":15973,"date":"2019-04-17T23:00:43","date_gmt":"2019-04-17T22:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/?p=15973"},"modified":"2019-04-18T12:27:34","modified_gmt":"2019-04-18T11:27:34","slug":"flip-expo-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pinballnews.com\/site\/2019\/04\/17\/flip-expo-2019\/","title":{"rendered":"FLIP EXPO 2019"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last year marked our return to the Flip Expo show in Le Tr\u00e9port, France after a few years away. We had a great time then, so returning this year was, to coin a phrase, a “no-brainer”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The town of Le Tr\u00e9port in Normandy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Of course there are several other reasons why we’d want to make a return trip – the relative proximity to the Pinball News office in London, the attractive local scenery, the opportunity to stock up on some French wine and cider, the local cuisine, and the friendly nature of both the show and the inhabitants of Le Tr\u00e9port who clearly embrace the event and look forward to its return each year, as evinced by the many, many posters we saw around town. Even the local paper got in on the act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Posters<\/a>
Posters near the dock and the local newspaper’s front page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So we arrived in the town around 3pm on Friday, checked-in to our hotel (where our rudimentary French language skills proved sufficient to get us a nice room) and made the ten-minute walk past the port to Salle Serge Reggiani – the main hall where the bulk of the pinballs were being set up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The port in Le Tr\u00e9port with the church of St. Jacques overlooking the harbour<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Serge Reggiani is a famed film and stage actor, singer, writer and artist who moved from Italy to the region around Le Tr\u00e9port at the age of eight before moving to Paris where he went on to become internationally renowned. This hall is named in his honour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Salle<\/a>
Salle Serge Reggiani (Salle is room or hall in French)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last year the temperatures were in the mid-20s Celsius (upper 70s in Fahrenheit) which meant there were lots of people lounging around outside, enjoying the warmth and the bright sunshine. There was plenty of sunshine over the weekend this year, but the temperatures were way down into the mid-teens at most which spoiled the fun a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, it was inside the hall was where the fun was happening and when we got there, work was underway to set up the machines and the tournament area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Setting<\/a>
Setting up in the main hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Getting<\/a>
Getting the tournament machines ready<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some games were already set up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"But<\/a>
But there were plenty more to set up, and lots more on their way<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Free Play Hall also has a large kitchen which was serving hot food, baguettes, hot and cold drinks and crepes all weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Things<\/a>
Things were getting hot in the kitchen making a steady supply of crepes for the workers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Salle Serge Reggiani is only one of the two halls used by the Flip Expo show. In earlier years it only had use of the room above, but recently an adjacent sports hall has been added to cater for the expanded number of vendor stands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The sports hall for the many vendors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the sports hall, the tables and dividing walls for the vendors had been laid-out so those who were setting up on Friday could make an early start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Inside<\/a>
Inside the vendor hall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"American<\/a>
American Pinball Houdini and Oktoberfest games arriving<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With everyone busy getting ready for Saturday’s 10am start we took our leave and visited a restaurant we particularly enjoyed last year where we were able to sit outside and overlook the harbour. The temperature prevented any outdoor seating this year, nonetheless we eventually staggered back to our hotel full of delicious local delicacies, ready to be back at the venue for the opening of the show the next morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The queue at opening time on Saturday<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Last year entrance to the show was split between the two halls, with payment desks at both. For 2019 there was a solitary entry desk which allowed entry to both halls, which made a lot more sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The entry desk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Entry to the show cost just \u20ac4 ($4.50\/\u00a33.45) per day – a genuine bargain. The reason the cost can be so affordable is that the town welcomes the show by giving them the use of the two halls as well as the electricity they use. In addition, the show can run the kitchen themselves and aren’t tied to any approved catering company. In return, lots of visitors come to visit, stay at the hotels and frequent the local shops, restaurants and bars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If only every pinball show host town or city was so forward-thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, let’s take a look in the vendor hall first as that’s where the latest titles were available to play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Carl<\/a>
Carl Jacob had a long table right by the entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"He<\/a>
He had some retro slot machines for sale too<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"As<\/a>
As well as some nice reproduction backglasses, including a mirrored Medieval Madness glass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"There<\/a>
There were also the newest Stern games, including a The Munsters LE, a Pro, The Beatles and Guardians of the Galaxy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Next door to Carl was Mirco Steffen who had a large display of playfields, cabinet decals and assorted off-cuts or mis-prints which could be used as decoration for your gameroom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The Mirco Playfields stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mirco<\/a>
Mirco also had plenty of regular pinball parts for sale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Doc<\/a>
Doc Pinball had lots of electronic components and connectors<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Fred<\/a>
Fred & Sylie Collet had a long table with assorted collectables and parts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/a>
This Collectionneur table had boards and flyers for many games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pinball<\/a>
Pinball flyers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Christophe Lienard had all four of the current Jersey Jack Pinball machines on his stand along with assorted parts for modern games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Part<\/a>
Part of Christophe’s stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Art<\/a>
Art blades for various games<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The four existing Jersey Jack titles were on the stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Plus<\/a>
Plus, there was this gap on the end – what could that be for?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Until about a week before the show it was a secret that the fifth Jersey Jack Pinball title would enjoy its European debut at the Flip Expo show. However, word soon spread and it wasn’t long before people were making the trip to Le Tr\u00e9port just to catch this new game. More on that later though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Xavier<\/a>
Xavier Chiaroni had a large stand filled with games and collectables from yesteryear<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Plus<\/a>
Plus, the latest in audio reproduction technology<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Vincent's<\/a>
VV Pinball had a long stand filled with LEDs and other pinball parts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Assorted<\/a>
Assorted pinball playfields for sale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"CHMPinball<\/a>
CHMPinball were championing Gottlieb pinball parts and spares<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Gottlieb<\/a>
Gottlieb pinball parts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"This<\/a>
This stand had all kinds of Americana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Starting on the second row of vendors, the first stand was from Flip Projects who were offering on-the-spot board diagnostics and repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Flip<\/a>
Flip Projects had their fault-finding and repair equipment set up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"You<\/a>
You could also buy the Pinball 2000 replacement controller system, Nucore<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"There<\/a>
There were also lots of pinball parts to buy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Pascal<\/a>
Pascal Janin was at Flip Expo selling his replacement and add-on pinball controller boards<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"LocaFlip<\/a>
LocaFlip had pinball glass, manuals and assorted boards for sale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Tommy,<\/a>
Tommy, Transformers, Iron Man and X’s & O’s – we could never play this last one as it never seemed to have any credits<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some games were entertaining even if you couldn’t play them<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On the opposite side of the row, Art Cab had some interesting video pinball and other arcade-style games, as well as bare pinball cabinets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Art<\/a>
Art Cab’s full-size and miniature video pinballs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The Art Cab stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"On<\/a>
On the subject of video games, FabrikBorne had some interesting home games for sale<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Eric<\/a>
Eric Bateman brought along many assorted home game system cartridges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The stand at the end of the row had all kinds of different memorabilia and gaming parts<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"You're<\/a>
You’re bound to find something fascinating in this collection<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

One of the largest stands belonged to Zpeakabonks Pinball Paradis whose 18m stand featured many of the latest titles to play as well as a good selection of pinball parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The two American Pinball titles were here<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Total<\/a>
Total Nuclear Annihilation, Alice Cooper’s Nightmare Castle and The Munsters LE were also very popular<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"There<\/a>
There were lots of pinball parts to buy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"LOTS<\/a>
LOTS of parts!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Over<\/a>
Over on the side wall, MB Jeux had new and reclaimed pinball parts as well as four lovely older machines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"No<\/a>
No shortage of parts to explore here<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kiss,<\/a>
Kiss, Dolly Parton, Future Spa and Canada Dry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The final stand on the side wall as from Patrick Regnier who had a big range of pin badges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Different<\/a>
Different kinds of pins<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We’re on the home straight now, with the final row of vendor stands headed-up by Jean Philippe Passarieux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Plenty<\/a>
Plenty of boards to rummage through<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Some<\/a>
Some interesting multi-game miniature cabinets, at good prices too<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"There<\/a>
There were more good prices at Olivier Isambourg’s stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"FlipperLED<\/a>
FlipperLED had LEDs of course, but more besides<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"They<\/a>
They also had plenty of coloured pinball rubbers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Returning to the opposite corner of the hall, at midday on Saturday the newest Jersey Jack Pinball title was revealed on Christophe Lienard’s stand. In typically understated fashion, there was no announcement, no fanfare or presentation, it was just brought out from the back room where it had been stored so the first games could be streamed on the internet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Willy<\/a>
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory appears on the stand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The playfield of the Limited Edition model at the show<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The Wonkavision camera toy (it’s just a toy, as the real camera is in the backbox)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The upper-right part of the playfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The shots under the Wonkavision screen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The upper-right flipper area<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The Wonkavision screen showing the game rules<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The Most Secret Machine subway entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The everlasting gobstopper<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The secret ball lock which carries over between games (only on the Limited and Collector’s Editions)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/a>
The Wonka Bar counter – as soon as one of the inserts on the right column is lit, it carries over to the next ball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There was a large box of chocolate mint miniature Wonka Bars for people to enjoy. Jack threw some of them out into the crowd too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a>
The box of miniature Wonka Bars<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jack<\/a>
Jack throws a handful of Wonka Bar chocolates into the crowd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The crowd waiting to play the new game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Jack<\/a>
Jack with a bar and his new game<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The first game is played on the new machine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We recorded some video of the playfield and of the first game being played with Franck Bona on the flippers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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