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Here are two odd large case machines, the first from the same maker as Polo etc. I'm sure the forum has discussed it before but I've not seen it before. Single-player and a machine that would seem full of problems for the operator. Like the "ant viewer", too much trouble for the average operator. Does anyone know how the boat was controlled? Magnets?


The second, "The British Tank", I suspect was a refurbished machine using an earlier case? Not sure what the tank did but I believe the tank moved and there was a shooter aspect?

The Steer-A-Boat did work with a magnet. On the bridges was a snag to catch the aerial on the boat as it passed through, meaning the boat stopped and the magnet moved on without the boat. I had one of these machines in a wooden case similar to the Ahrens football two player game with an enamel marque. The main problem was water evaporation, so I ran mine on light oil. This was the only one I knew to survive.

These Ahrens machines were often made in very small numbers and if unsuccessful maybe not added to a prototype. I sold/swapped mine with a well known collector in California who also owns part of the tank game. However, I do not know how the game worked. He did contact me to see if I could help when he bought it to ask if I knew anyone who had a complete game. I did not, but sent him a copy of the picture you have.