Missile Command MAME

[Chicken McNobody]

Hey guys, another project has come my way.  So far I have the 2 Player fighting DK cabinet, the single player classic style cabaret cabinet with arcade spinner, and no trackball cabinet. . . 

Well that is about to change. . .

I picked up a very bootleg Popeye that was once a Missile command cabinet.  The speaker was recut to the top, the control panel was painted over, and generically hacked to house a joystick, the side art was painted black, and the game was converted to a bootleg Popeye board.  I have a real Popeye board, and this is not even close.  the game plays, but the sound is all wrong, the graphics are all screwy, and it's horribly louad since there is no volume control.

I want to "restore" this back to a Missile Command that will be MAMEd for all trackball games.  But I have some questions for the experts out there.  First off, does the 1p and 2p start buttons on the original cab have the led button, or the solid black button.  These are not cheap to replace, but if I am going to do it, I am going to do it right.  Also, the trackball hole is huge, what is the size of the trackball?  And I'm sure I can find a place to get the marquee printed up, but I would like to find the speaker grills, anyone know of any place to get those?

I already ordered the replacement sideart from Quarter Arcade, that should be here soon.  I am picking up a new monitor tomorrow, I am not a fan of the troubleshooting with real arcade monitors, so I am getting a 19 inch CRT computer monitor to keep it simple on me.  I will order the CPO from ArcadeShop.com soon enough.  I like that theirs is pre-cut and is the whole size of the CP area, so it's seamless and requires no painting.  I will need to get a computer, fortunately it won't need to be too powerful, so that should be a reasonable price.  And then the new T-molding will be needed to finish it all off

I will do my best to document the progress, I am bad at those things though.  Other than dust and the typical damage, this thing is in very solid shape, it will clean up really nice.  If there is anything I should be considering, let me know.

[taylormadelv]

The cabinet is a good shape but the MC art will get expensive. Consider a marquee but it needs to be special because there should be two speakers mounted directly to the marquee. If you want to get detailed, you will want to replace the "press-on" lettering "High Score, Player 1 and Player 2" on the clear plexi under the tinted plexi. I think it's an ancient font called "eurostyle".
The two player start buttons are lit led's and will flash when credits are inserted and stay lit when playing. The three bases buttons are unlit, black cherry micos. You have some interesting CP repairs, it looks like the trackball will fit in the opening without issues. Those bolts in the base button holes are a question. Also, all the "cones" on the buttons should be the "low cone/black" style.
Depending upon how many buttons you want, you could get away with hacking a mikes trackball adaptor and be finished!
Best trackball ever made, you will never want to go back to GT or any bowling game with a 3" again!
Good luck!

[Chicken McNobody]

Hey thanks for the info. . .

The side art wasn't cheap, but not that bad, it was $100.  Also the buttons will get a little pricey, I'll look into the trackball thanks.

Fortunately the bolts are actually not in the CP itself.  The head of the bold it basically sandwiching the wood below with the trackball opening.  So it should be a clean fix when removed, I'll update when I get to that part.

I am torn about the plexi letterning, I may or may not do that since I don't want it to serve as a distraction for other games.  I am not sure, but it is definitely something I am looking in to.

[Chicken McNobody]

So I am still doing this, but with a new twist.  I found a local guy selling off some of his extras from his collection, and he had a complete Missile Command with exerything but the monitor and board.  There were no back leg levelers, so the back bottom was really chewed up from moving it around, but that will be a simple fix.  It has the side art, but still needs to be replaced, so I am glad to have ordered it. 

The best part is that it has all the need parts and pieces!  The buttons, the trackball, the marquee with speaker grills, the monitor bezels including all 3 layers with the letering if perfect condition.  This was a real lucky find, and fortunate, it will not only save me a ton of time and money, but it is all original, and in great condition. 

Other than the back needing some minor work, the CPO is worn in the usual places, but it will definitely work for now.  I will need to switch out one of the black cones on the buttons since it is cracked, and replace one of the led buttons with a solid black one to keep it accurate and consistant. 

The trackball is awesome, but it has some scuffing.  There appears to be no grooves or pitting, but could use a cleaning.  Any ideas on how to do so?  I would love to make this shine if I can. . . 

I would post pics of the new cab, but right now it's laying down on it's front until I get the back bottom portion fixed, that will be a very easy fix, it's just a matter of finding the time to do it right now that is the problem.  I will post them soon though. . .