Commander Keen 4: Secret of the Oracle www.gameanyone.com
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Thursday, December 29, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
Eat Your Vegetables Lyrics articulate by Bobby Prince
Bobby Prince singing the lyrics to "Eat Your Vegetables", which is game level music from Commander Keen Episode IV. It is also widely known as the theme song for Dopefish, a famous character from said game. More information is available here: www.dopefish.com
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Sunday, December 11, 2011
What Vehicle Did the Army Want in a Reconnaissance Car?
The "jeep" history may have begun on March 22, 1933 with the procurement by the Army of one car manufactured by the American Austin Company. This one car was thoroughly tested at Fort Benning, GA. Lt. E.P. Hogan, Quartermaster Corps credits testing of this car as the forerunner of pilot models of the 1/4-ton truck. It was an "open two-seated commercial passenger car." The car was driven outside of Ft. Benning as far as Fort McPherson (about 115 miles!) Testing of the small car showed the Army what it could expect of a small car. The vehicle was later salvaged.
In 1937, the Chief of Infantry was calling for a lightweight vehicle to be used as a "weapon and ammunition carrier." The Chief wanted the vehicle for tests and experiments as rapidly as possible. At this point, the Infantry wasn't sure if the vehicle would be a "track-laying vehicle capable of movement across country and on roads at tank speed, requiring only modification of commercial vehicles." Or, if it would be a "truck light enough to be manhandled over ditches and other obstacles by a squad. The vehicle will have to be capable of carrying a maximum load of 1100lbs. (anti-tank gun)."
Around this time a Captain Howie (of the Infantry School, Tank Section) developed the "Howie-Wiley Belly Flopper" under the direction of Brigadier General Walter C. Short, Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School). The general required that the vehicle be constructed for the sole purpose of transporting two men, a caliber .30 machine gun, tripod, and ammunition. Other requirements included:
That the gun not be mounted for firing from the carrier.
That the vehicle be light enough for four men to lift it into a 1 1/2-ton truck and across small obstacles.
That the vehicle present as low a silhouette as possible--sacrificing ground clearance therefore, if necessary.
That dimensions be such that it could be carried in the 1 1/2-ton truck issued to machine-gun companies.
That speed was no object--as low as 10mph maximum would be sufficient.
That units be commercially available as far as possible.
Captain Howie was assisted in the construction of the vehicle by Master Sergeant M.C. Wiley, an expert mechanic and tanker. Sergeant G. L. Rush assisted in the final assembly of the vehicle made from salvaged units. It certainly was a light weight vehicle, however, the ground clearance was very low and the crew laid down to operate the vehicle. While the vehicle might have proved useful in localized areas, it would have been necessary to have the vehicle trucked to were it would be needed for action. Not really fitting what was needed by the Infantry.
Along this line of thought, Captain Wendel G. Johnson, Infantry wrote in the November-December, 1937 Infantry Journal, "What is wanted is merely a gasoline-propelled conveyance not much higher than a man crawling that will be able to carry a one- or two-man crew, a gun, and plenty of ammunition, and scoot from one firing position to another at 5 to 10 miles an hour." Captain Johnson was obviously influenced by the "Belly-Flopper" produced by Howie and staff. According to Lt Hogan the Howie-Wiley car "was the first and only Army-built forerunner of the 'truck 1/4-ton, 4x4."
In the US Army in World War Two volume on "CHIEF OF STAFF: PREWAR PLANS AND PREPARATIONS" by Mark Skinner Watson. "In 1937, engineers at the Quartermaster Corps' Holabird Depot ordered a new experimental version of a small vehicle from Bantam. The engineers had already developed a preliminary design, which included what would become the familiar body shape. They worked out final details with an engineer at Bantam. The specifications for the vehicle had changed: the soldiers were back in a seated position, and the vehicle had to be capable of traversing rough terrain. It still needed to be capable of carrying a machine gun on a tripod, plus ammunition. The Army wanted the vehicle to be built of conventional commercial parts." In February, 1938, three Bantam test model Chassis Assemblies 1/4-ton, 4x2, completed as specified accepted and delivered one each to Fort Benning, GA; Fort Riley, KA; and Holabird, MD. It was desired that a "suitable self-propelled vehicle of the wheeled type consisting, in so far as practicable, of standard commercial units and parts and of the least possible weight and size for the purpose of transporting two men, a caliber .30 machine gun, tripod, and ammunition over cross country terrain." Bantam also made available some of its standard vehicles to the Pennsylvania National Guard. None of the cars were successful but were key in motivating Army personnel for pressing for suitable unit.
It wasn't until a three day (May 17-20) meeting of the Quartermaster Technical Committee on Transportation held at Holabird Quartermaster Depot in Maryland that things began to move toward a new light truck for the Army. It became apparent to all the members present (this would have included members of all the service branches--Infantry, Cavalry, etc.) that the 1/2-ton Weapons Carrier would never have its weight and silhouette reduced to what was considered desirable by the Infantry.
The Infantry Board had made a considerable study of several vehicles of various types that might fulfill the needs of the Infantry. These included, the "Benz Car", a very light Swiss vehicle, the "Howie Wiley Carrier", and others. The Infantry Board had also tested the American Bantam passenger car. Many of the vehicles met the required light weight and low silhouette but none met the requirement for cross-country ability. Lt Col William F. Lee of the Infantry Vehicle Section was in favor of further development of a car of this type. He was able to convince Major General George Lynch (Chief of Infantry) of its desirability and the Chief approved the concept of a "super-light, cross-country car." (Chronology of 1/4-ton Liaison Car Development, January 2, 1941).
American Bantam Car Company (of Butler, Pennsylvania) was keen on selling their vehicles to the Army (or even making the Belly Floppers, if that is what was wanted by the government). Bantam contracted with Charles "Harry" Payne in February 1940 to be the salesman and liaison to the government...in order to drum up business. Originally, he was to be paid a five percent commission, this was later reduced to two and a half percent..
It was during this Quartermaster Corps meeting that Harry Payne, representing American Bantam (of Butler, Pennsylvania) proposed to make the company's manufacturing facilities available to the Government for the production of any vehicle "based on the 'Bantam'". The committee informed Mr. Payne that the Bantam had previously been tested and found lacking, "in sturdiness and cross-country ability." In order for the Infantry to be interested the vehicle would require four-wheel drive with enough power and ruggedness to make it suitable. It was at that time seen as a replacement for the horse for commanders and staff of the Infantry.
Bantam Company communicated to the committee a couple of days later that "they could and would build the vehicle" wanted, "based generally on the 'Bantam'" in size. It was at that point the Infantry Vehicle Section, together with Payne drafted a memo to the Adjutant General "requesting the immediate initiation of the development" of what would become the Truck, 1/4-ton, Command and Reconnaissance Car or "jeep."
Originally, the Infantry were looking for the following in a light weight vehicle in the memo entitled, "Light Vehicle Development, June 6, 1940":
Maximum height: 36 inches
Maximum weight (net): 1000lbs
Cross-country ability and grade ability at least equal to other standard vehicles
Capacity: at least two men, one machine-gun with accessories, and 3000 rounds of cal. .30 ammunition
Four-wheel drive
Face-armor for the driver
Amphibian characteristics were "desirable."
The "armor" characteristic had been added by the Infantry to keep the project out of Quartermaster Corps hands as the Chief of Infantry was convinced that the Quartermaster Corps had screwed up the development of the 1/2-ton project (by allowing the contract to go to a company that had had no experience in producing the type vehicle required.) The amphibian characteristics were later dropped but reemerged with the production in 1942 by Ford of the Amphibious 1/4-ton or "Seep."
This brief memo led to the meeting of the Ordnance and other Army representatives (notably those of the Infantry, Calvary, Field Artillery, and the Quartermaster Corps.) at the American Bantam Car Company plant in Butler on June 19, 1940. The committee members present (G.M. Barnes, Col, Ordnance; F.J. Atwood, Lt Col, Ordnance; H.W. Evans, Ordnance; J.H. Johnson, Lt Col, Quartermaster Corps; Rex W. Beasley, Maj, Field Artillery; W.F. Beasley, Ordnance; W.F. Lee, Lt Col, Infantry; and F.P. Tompkins, Maj, Cavalry) briefly tested the "Bantam" cars present at the plant. Also present at this meeting were Major Robert .G. Howie and Robert F. Brown (civilian engineer, Holabird Quartermaster Depot).
It was during this meeting that the general requirements for the car were fleshed out. The "tentative decision to require, among other things, a driving front axle with a 2-speed transfer case including the provision for disengaging the front axle drive; a body of rectangular design with folding windshield and three bucket seats; increased engine power; means for towing; a .30 caliber machine gun mount on a telescoping pedestal; blackout lighting and oil-bath air cleaner; and such regularly accepted components in the automobile industry as hydraulic brakes and full floating axles." Other features that were called for were "5.50-16 tires with bullet sealing tubes; provide a radiator guard and skid shoe under the transfer case. The memorandum requested 40 cars for the Infantry, 20 cars for the Cavalry and 10 cars for the Field Artillery. With this memo the requirement for an armored screen for the driver was eliminated and the project was transferred back under the purview of the Quartermaster Corps for further development and procurement. The Adjutant General and Secretary of War approved the request and authorized the expenditure of not more than 5,000 for the project.
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Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Golden Jubilee Of Ghana - 2007
At long last, the-much-talked-about Golden Jubilee Anniversary of Ghana has come to pass. And Ghana, our beloved mother land is poised for economic take off.
Beautiful people of Ghana, Tuesday, the 6th of March 2007, marked precisely the 50th birth day of the political independence of our mother land. And the Day was celebrated in a most spectacular fashion of red, gold and green colours, ever witnessed at the Independence Square in the political history of the country.
Not even the very day of the proclamation of the independence by the first President of the first Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on March 6, 1957 could march what took place yesterday in terms of sheer human beings who invaded the Black Star Square and its environs to witness the event. I was there myself. And if it wasn't so, I would not have told so. When I came out and saw the scattering crows behind the square virtually into the sea, I was mesmerized.
Then the crowd listening and watching proceedings on a large electronic screen with huge, huge loud speakers mounted on the brown grasses along the castle road leading to the sit of government, I was spell-bound. I could not plug courage to go round all the four corners out side the square, for what I saw at the two corners spoke for themselves. It was simply fantastic! There is no need to exaggerate. Seeing is believing, beloved reader!
As for yesterday alone, if not everyday at all, (this piece was written on Wednesday, 7th March 2007), I can speculate that the hands of God physically descended and poured benediction upon our nation. Nature itself was extremely kind to us. As a loving mother who was nursing her newly born baby, the weather was just apt for the occasion. The sun's rays so soothing, were smiling on the parade contingents instead of burning them. The breeze from the nearby Atlantic Ocean was flowing instead of blowing and gently massaging the smooth faces of the flag waving spectators.
The arena of the Independence Square was majestically colourful, peaceful and graceful. But a certain woman nearly found trouble for herself when she challenged the security agencies as to why they would not allow her to pass through the inner parameters earmarked for the parade purposes only. This happened in front of the last pavilion at the Osu end of the square. Why some people will not willingly abide by simple instructions for the sake of law and order? Even accredited journalists were restricted to certain areas and they had no choice but to obey. How much more ordinary spectator?
I also saw one Nana in his majestic kente cloth, who came very late after the President, had accomplished the inspection of guards. And with his umbrella-bearer, was trekking from one pavilion to the other, in search of a place to sit. That was the fruit of lateness. When some of our noble opinion leaders are given invitations and requested to be seated at specific times at functions, they choose to behave as if the event is taking place in their own palace. Even if an event is taking place in your dormitory, you must respect the time of your invited guests. Most regretfully, it appeared that Nana had to go back home without witnessing the memorable occasion. It served him well.
We must all take a cue from that incident so that as we embark on the road to the next 50 years of Ghana's independence, as a nation, we must endeavour to change our concept of time for the better. As the Vice President of Ghana, H.E.Alhaji Aliu Mahama advised the nation on Friday 2nd March 2007, when he commissioned and handed the keys of 46 Cinema Vans imported by the Government to the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Accra. On that day, Alhaji Aliu Mahama did not mince words at all when he postulated: "There is nothing like 'African time'. Therefore, we should learn how to do the right thing at the right time and stop deceiving ourselves with that erroneous concept of 'African time.' All humanity has one time, period!
Respected reader, verily, verily, I say unto you that yesterday was a triumphant day in the checked political history of Ghana and Africa. The entire African continent was in attendance of our Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Europe was there; America was there; Asia was there and others as well.
If you take Africa, for instance, the African Super Power, Nigeria, was not only there as passive spectator at all. As a matter of fact, apart from Ghana herself as the hosting nation and Commander -in-Chief of affairs, Nigeria was the protagonist on the stage of the celebrations. Chief Olusagu Obasanjo was the supreme Guest of Honour and the only one to have Ghana's highest national state honour bestowed upon him. Any challenger?
Then our famous Zimbabwe was even the first African country to descend from the heavens onto our land on earth. Our closest neighbours including Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire and Togo could not afford to be missing from action. From afar, countries like South Africa, Rwanda, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique,DR Congo, Malawi, Mali, Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde, Botswana, Liberia, Gabon Benin and Guinea Bissau, just to name a few, were all there. In fact, Ghana was like a basket into which all African over 50 nations were collected like eggs and carefully put them in for safe-keeping. Security was no problem and every participating country was protected like the pituitary gland in the head of a fish.
Ghana, without any shade of doubt, did everything humanly possible and proved herself to be the star of the black Africa indeed. Ghana is the golden nation of Africa and celebrated the first golden jubilee anniversary of black Africa for the rest to emulate. Ghana lived up to the accolade of the broad theme of the anniversary which is: "Championing the African Excellence." There is still room for improvement though. As humans, we should be humble and realistic that perfection is not attained in one incarnation.
The parade itself was sparkling in very department of the show! Britain, Ghana's former colonial masters proved that indeed, they could not be left out of a celebration of this historical nature. Thus, besides the Duke of Kent, Prince Edward who represented the Queen of England, a contingent of the Army Band of Scottish Pipes and Drums played the role of alpha and omega in the parade and stole the show. Their appearance in traditional attire made them outstanding with their fluid music.
The officers of the Mass Band of the Ghana Armed Forces Central Band, Police Band and the Navy Band, were immaculate in their outlook and their traditional tunes were soul moving. Some charming ladies around our pavilion could not resist the temptation but to start bumping their backs as soon as the flutes started blowing. Some of them were even dancing to the tune of the National Anthem instead of standing to attention. The entire contingents of the security agencies marched with precision. It seems female contingents marched more graciously and with some antics or style in such a away that whenever they turned at corners they crow spontaneously clapped for them. It was magnificent to behold!
The Ghana Education Service Contingents, made up of Army from the Achimota School, the Navy from the Christian Methodist Secondary School, the Air Force from the St. Mary's Secondary School and the Police from the St.Thomas Aquinas Secondary School as well as a contingent from the Armed Forces Secondary Technical School were just terrific to behold when marching. I wonder whether such young cadet officers of various Secondary Schools could be sustained and trained into some kind of voluntary organisation to serve the nation in times of need. What happens to them when they graduate from the second cycle intuitions? Are their movement monitored so as to see how best the nation could tap from their talents?
As for the Basic School Contingents from Ablekuma-South Sub-metro, the Ashiedu-Keteke Sub-metro, the Ayawaso Sub-metro and the Okaikwei Sub-metro as well as the very tender gymnastic youngsters, they must be commended to the blue heavens. Because, to be on their feet from morning till the time the event ended in the afternoon is not a small feat at all. I don't know what incentive package is organised for them but they must be motivated nation wide to inculcate in them that patriotism goes hand in hand with deserving rewards. Remember the adage: A nation that does not reward its patriots and heroes is not what...?
As a nation we should not only be quick in condemning people when they go wrong. We must also learn to praise people when they merit praise. I wish to take this golden opportunity to commend the Accra City authorities for a wonderful work done as far as the beautification of our capital city was concerned. If I compare Accra with Singapore which is the cleanest city in the world, we have some kilometers to travel. But what was achieved within a short span of three months or so before the Golden Jubilee Day of March 6, 2007,if it could be sustained, Accra will be a city to visit in the world one day. I say Kudos to the Mayor of the City of Accra and his team of workers.
Perhaps, Ghanaian city authorities can learn some strategies from Singapore. In Singapore, street decorations are supported by institutions, organisations and major companies located along various streets and roads in the city. What is done is that during major festive occasions like Christmas, Easter, Ramadan and others, street decorations become a competition among these companies that are strategically located along ceremonial roads and streets. Then the Singapore Tourist Board offers prizes for the best decorated street during a particular festive occasion.
With this strategy, every institution is motivated and eager to ensure that their street wins the best decorated street awards in the city. This is why when you go to Singapore during any of these festive occasions you will just open your mouth until someone will come and tell you to close it. Singapore has four major festivals celebrated by various religious bodies, namely Christians, Moslems, Hindus and Buddhists or so. And these festivals follow one another intermittently .This is one reason why Singapore is always beautiful. In fact sometime the decoration competition between the religious institutions becomes so keen that the city becomes even more brilliant and sparkling with lights at night. With this, the entire city is virtually turned into a golden heaven on earth. Those who have been to heaven before will know what I am talking about here.
In fact tourists who troop to Singapore every day of the year do not sleep at night. They will just be roaming, roaming, going round from street to street, and admiring the beauty of street decorations. I suggest the city authorities in Ghana should team up with Ghana Tourist Board and adopt the Singapore strategy for the beautification of our cities.
Today Wednesday 7th March 2007 marks the first Day of the next 50 years of Ghana and the celebration of the centenary of our nationhood. God alone should be our guide and source of inspiration. Shall we take note of the following African proverb? "The person who takes the first step ahead of you is not easy to catch up with." Therefore, once the path is entered, there should no turning back. The sky should be the limit for Ghanaians as we look forward to celebrating the country's centenary anniversary in March 2057. For now, let's raise our chest high and say: "Well Done, Ghana!
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Friday, December 2, 2011
Commander Keen (Commodore 64 Style) : The Game Kage [Part#1]
Commander Keen. One Kid, his football helmet and an unexpected access to a space ship. What could possibly go wrong with that? Going Retro? For other awesome games from the 80's check out these channels: www.youtube.com/user/extremebeyond www.youtube.com/user/mrsilvrhawk Music: tiny.cc Tshirts: www.thegamecage.spreadshirt.com Twitter: @thegamekage Email: thegamekage@gmail.com Blog: www.thegamekage.blogspot.com Minecraft Skins: www.thegamekage.blogspot.com
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