Taito Defender restoration

Here’s a cabinet I picked up a few weeks ago and have been working on with @dragonlee to restore.

 

 

What was it and what shall it become?

Once upon a time....

 

Once upon a time....

 

Ok. So the title of the thread which I can't edit probably gave it away. The paperwork indicates it was a Hyper Olympics before it became an empty cabinet later destined to be converted to a P.O.W.

 

An empty cabinet when I picked it up. I can only assume that it was originally a Defender. Regardless, Defender it shall be.

 

Thanks to @MamePatrol for the flawless artwork and a couple of options for the control panel overlay.

 

 

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Love this cabinet type. Good luck with the build.

Taito Defender restoration

 

Control panel overlay suits it well I think. 2 player 12 button setup for the moment. Also waiting on a reproduction Defender control panel and overlay as an alternative. Thanks to @dragonlee and @spez778 for their assistance with the wiring setup.

 

The Defender marquee and side art medallions from @MamePatrol came up a treat too.

 

Going for a 138 in 1 game Elf in the absence of an original or bootleg Defender PCB.

 

Ive just had an original control panel taken apart and scanned, and about to repro a CPO sometime soon if you're keen to also get one?

Im part way through getting the parts for a resto on the same cab.

 

Looking good mate.

Ive just had an original control panel taken apart and scanned, and about to repro a CPO sometime soon if you're keen to also get one?

Im part way through getting the parts for a resto on the same cab.

 

Looking good mate.

Thanks. I'll be in contact. I'm also after an original metal trim with 4 holes for underneath the marquee if anyone has a spare they're prepared to part with.

 

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Thanks. I'll be in contact. I'm also after an original metal trim with 4 holes for underneath the marquee if anyone has a spare they're prepared to part with.

 

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A piece of aluminum alloy angle and use the tee nut holes as a templet so they line up will do that job, no need for the original. It is easy to replicate.

 

Paint it Matt black as the originals were even though most these days I would suspect are painted in gloss black.

 

To be period correct, it should be matt black. Taito rarely used gloss black for anything and certainly not that piece.

 

Not wanting to be picky but the the side sticker is mounted to low on the cabinet by the way.

 

They were mounted up around the narrowest part of the cabinet with the top of the sticker just touching the red lower line directly under the Taito Taitronics logo.

 

We did actually have a templet for mounting them in the correct spot but in the end the sticker was not mounted in the factory and were stapled to the inside of the back door and if the operator wanted it fitted, he installed it himself.

Ok. So the title of the thread which I can't edit probably gave it away. The paperwork indicates it was a Hyper Olympics before it became an empty cabinet later destined to be converted to a P.O.W.

 

An empty cabinet when I picked it up. I can only assume that it was originally a Defender. Regardless, Defender it shall be.

 

Thanks to @MamePatrol for the flawless artwork and a couple of options for the control panel overlay.

 

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171108/e56368752ad3c4f01a274e6cccc3d2cd.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171108/4ac692125356e68098ae768f72a687d1.jpg

 

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Hi, Im after some s square 'Taito Taitronics' decals like the ones Mamepatrol made for you. Do you know how I can get some? Thanks.

 

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Great lookin cab artwork looks great! can you share where you sourced the artwork from?

Hi There,

Do you have any updated restoration images. Working on a Taito Defender restoration myself. Any pics would help. Thanks.

Sorry @crackerjack Haven’t been on the forum in ages.  Hope some of the photos attached to this post might help as reference points.  Would love to see your finished project. Cheers.

 

Edited April 8, 2023 by Pinnacle
In correct image

Thanks for the images. Still a few things to repair to the Defender cabinet. Will post updates.