Bryans Grand National

[badpenny]

The horses are on a homebrew machine called 'Bryan's Grand National', there's a thread on it.

Oh yes so there is, I even commented on it and then promptly forgot ..... apparently

[brigham]

Conversions were quite a business in the '80s onwards. Last season's AWPs used to re-appear in twopenny form, with all-cash (lower) payouts.
Future collectors will find it difficult to obtain an '80s Line-up or Adders and Ladders in original form.
We'll probably end up with tips on how to re-convert them back.
The Bryan's Grand National is the first enthusiasts conversion I've seen, though.

[badpenny]

I'd have said machine conversions were quite a business in the 30s/40s and onwards. Never mind the 80s
Caille, Tom Bolland & Firman later Günther Wulff machines were victims, and all before decimalisation lead to many being hacked about to further their lives.

Of course I'm talking about operators changing a machine's look to modernise it and give it more appeal and keep it earning.
We've all seen fantasy machines which may have had a mountain of clever work put into them, yet will always be no more than that.

[brigham]

Oh yes! I'm forgetting about Tom Boland conversions of what are now sometimes rare machines. One of my favourites was the Greyhound version of the Caille Commercial; I've only just found out that it was a conversion.
I've just spotted the give-away on the Bryan's Grand National re-vamp:- 24d!
Nobody EVER wrote 'two shillings' like that!

[pennymachines]

I believe the Greyhound game you're thinking of was made by Clement & Whales. Some of these may have been conversions from Caille machines but most, if not all, were probably manufactured by Clements. See this thread for more: Caille / Clement & Whales Countertop disc machines

[thebentpenny]

Hello, I think the Bryans clock conversion is fantastic. Great idea - you have done a brilliant job! I love the paint job. Is it the same fleck that they used on the red Bullion? If so, where did the paint come from?

[fruitbowl]

Hi, it's just standard oil-based red gloss paint, left to dry, then with a stiff brush flick on the black and white paint. A little practice required beforehand.

[thebentpenny]

Hi, I didn't have a clue as to how you achieved the fleck effect, so thank you for letting me know. I will get some paint and give it a go. As you say, it will be best to practice first. If I can get it to look anything like yours I would be more than happy.

[arrgee]

Interesting conversion fruitbowl, how about a video of it in action?

[perana5000]

Looks very nice indeed.