This seems to be left over from the Arcade version of the game ... When your game is over and you're at the blue After Burner screen, press Left, Left, Left, B, B, B, A, A, A, Start.

SEGA Arcade: Pop-Up History, which is published by Read-Only Memory, lovingly brings to life games including Hang-On, Space Harrier, Out Run, After Burner, and Thunder Blade as pop-up models Many ...