“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 29

April 28th, 2020

We’ve heard from various organizations and individuals in this series. But do you know who we haven’t heard from until now?

The intelligence community.

Unless you’re as geeky as I am (or more) you’ve probably never heard of CORONA/DISCOVERER. CORONA was an early satellite reconnaissance program: DISCOVERER was the name of the disinformation program associated with it, which claimed to be a technology development program.

CORONA shot photos on film – actual, physical film. But how do you get the film back from space for development? CORONA would eject a capsule containing the film, which would re-enter the atmosphere…

…and get caught in mid-air by a C-119 “Flying Boxcar”.

Here’s a vintage video from Lockheed of “DISCOVERER”, which (of course) doesn’t discuss CORONA at all. But it does show the capsule retrieval process.

Bonus video #1: “Oceanography: Mining Minerals In The Ocean” from Martin Marietta. This is pretty much what it says on the tin: exploring deep undersea using early remote operated vehicles to find deposits of underwater mineral nodules.

This video also features the Hughes Glomar Explorer. You may remember the Glomar Explorer as “the ship that was supposedly built for mining underwater minerals, but was actually intended to recover the K-129 in Project Azorian“.

I can’t tell when this video was made, so I’m not clear on whether it was pre or post the Project Azorian revelations. I’m guessing it was some time during the 1970s, because that music.

Bonus video #2: from 1964, “Undersea Pilot”, about the Reynolds Aluminum built deep sea vehicle Aluminaut. This doesn’t have quite as many intelligence implications as the other two videos, but Aluminaut did see some military use. (It is a well known fact that it was used in recovery operations after the 1966 Palomares B-52 crash. Some other books I’ve read on Navy deep sea operations in the 1960s and 1970s lead me to believe it was involved in other classified missions as well.)

I thought Aluminaut and Trieste and Alvin were incredibly cool, back when I was in the single digit age range. (I’m pretty sure I read about them in a How and Why Wonder Book, thought I don’t remember which one.)

Posted in Geek, History, Planes | Comments Closed

Obit watch: April 27, 2020.

April 27th, 2020

Harold Reid, leader of the Statler Brothers.

The Statlers imbued contemporary country and folk material with traditional gospel harmonies, helping to usher Southern gospel music into the cultural mainstream while paving the way for the arrival of crossover-minded blockbuster country vocal groups like the Oak Ridge Boys and Alabama.
“We took gospel harmonies and put them over in country music,” Mr. Reid was quoted as saying in the Encyclopedia of Gospel Music.

…

Mr. Reid was the funny man of the group and the creative force behind Lester “Roadhog” Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys, the quartet’s comedic alter ego, which lampooned the sacred cows of country music. Mr. Reid played the role of the drolly outrageous Roadhog Moran both on recordings and onstage.

One of my favorite Statler Brothers songs:

And another, even though the (original) lyrics are a little dated:

All right, one more:

Steve Dalkowski, minor league pitcher. This is actually one of those sad stories: he was famous for spending nine seasons in the minor leagues, mostly with the Baltimore Orioles’ teams. He apparently had an amazing fastball, but was also erratic as a pitcher. (“He walked batters almost as often as he struck them out..”) Supposedly, he inspired “Nuke LaLoosh”, the pitcher in “Bull Durham”.

He also had problems with alcohol. At the time of his death, he’d been in a nursing home with “alcohol-induced dementia” for 26 years.

Gene Dynarski. He was “Izzy Mandelbaum Jr.” on “Seinfeld”, appeared on two episodes of a minor SF series, and had guest shots on a lot of other TV, including multiple stints on “Banacek”…

…and, yes, “Mannix”. (“Fly, Little One”, season 3, episode 21. He’s credited as “Killer”.)

Bruce Allpress, New Zealand actor who was in “The Two Towers” and a few other things.

(Hat tip on the last two to Lawrence.)

Posted in 1970s, Mannix, Music, Obits, Sports, TV | Comments Closed

“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 28

April 27th, 2020

Did you know that the US Army Marksmanship Unit had a YouTube channel?

I didn’t until the other day.

And they’ve put up their “Basic Rifleman’s Course”, which is broken up into neat 15-minute chunks.

Here’s part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

Part 6:

And Part 7:

Sorry this is so long, but I feel like at least a few of my readers will find these educational. If you don’t like it, come back tomorrow: I promise something that’s not related to marksmanship.

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“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 27

April 26th, 2020

To be fair, these are not random YouTube recommendations. This is something I ran across a few months ago, and that became part of a small project I’m working on. I want to bookmark these here for my own reference, but I also think some of my readers (especially those with children) may enjoy these. Admittedly, they are about an hour each, but that’s why this is Science Sunday. And how long are your children’s normal school classes?

Between 1956 and 1964, the Bell System (you remember the Bell System, don’t you?) produced nine specials about various aspects of science. These were broadcast on television in prime time, and the first couple got pretty good audience ratings.

Frank Capra (yes, that Frank Capra) produced and wrote the first four, and directed the first three.

Geoff Alexander and Rick Prelinger have described the films as “among the best known and remembered educational films ever made, and enthroning Dr. Frank Baxter, professor at the University of Southern California, as something of a legend as the omniscient king of academic science films hosts.”

Here are the first two: “Our Mr. Sun“.

And “Hemo the Magnificent“.

You can also download “Our Mr. Sun” from the Internet Archive.

Posted in Bookmarks, Geek, History, Movies | Comments Closed

Quote of the day.

April 25th, 2020

Apropos of nothing in particular:

“If you were against the New Deal and its wholesale buying of pauper votes, then you were against Christian charity. If you were against the gross injustices and dishonesties of the Wagner Labor Act, then you were against labor. If you were against packing the Supreme Court, then you were in favor of letting Wall Street do it. If you are against using Dr. Quack’s cancer salve, then you are in favor of letting Uncle Julius die. If you are against Holy Church, or Christian Science, then you are against god. It is an old, old argument.”

–H.L. Mencken

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“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 26

April 25th, 2020

I thought I’d continue with yesterday’s theme. I’ve decided that tomorrow is Science Sunday, so if you’re not interested in gun stuff, feel free to skip over today’s entry.

For those of you who are still reading, you might find this an interesting contrast: “Fundamentals of Rifle Marksmanship”. This one is from the United States Marine Corps, and dates to 1999.

Bonus video #1: “Fundamentals of Rifle Marksmanship”, an Army training film from 1971. I’ll warn you: the audio and video quality on this one aren’t great. Really, the only reason I’m putting it here is so that my readers can compare it with the previous video.

Bonus video #2: something a little less military, and a little more nostalgia. “The Making of a Shooter”, a vintage video from the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturer’s Institute (SAAMI). Produced by the Jam Handy Organization, a name that’s probably familiar to MST3K fans and other film buffs.

Posted in Guns, History | Comments Closed

“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 25

April 24th, 2020

Before I link today’s videos, I want to give a tip of the Hatlo hat to great and good FoTB (and official firearms trainer to WCD) Karl, who has actually been linking some of my posts on the KR Training FaceBook page. Thanks, Karl!

As a thank you and tribute to Karl: “Combat Firing With Hand Guns” from 1944.

“Being a good shot on a range doesn’t mean that a man will be the same good shot when the target is moving or firing back at him.”

Bonus video #1 and 2: posting these as a hat tip to Bayou Renaissance Man. They’re also pretty long, but we are entering the weekend. Think about your next range trip.

“Rifle Marksmanship With the M1 Rifle”, part 1:

And part 2:

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“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 24

April 23rd, 2020

I haven’t done anything super geeky in a little while, so today’s the day.

“An Introduction to Digital Computers”, from the UNIVAC division of Sperry Rand sometime in the 1960s.

Bonus video #1: it seems only fair to give the other guys their turn. This is a compilation put together by the Computer History Archives Project of promotional videos for the IBM System/370.

Bonus video #2: and before that, System/360.

You try and tell the young people today that…and they won’t believe you.

(A fun non-video System/360 diversion from Ken Shirriff.)

Posted in Geek, History | Comments Closed

Obit watch: April 23, 2020.

April 23rd, 2020

Shirley Knight, actress.

She did a lot of theater work (and won a Tony), did some movie work, and a whole bunch of TV (winning three Emmy awards). No “Mannix”, but she did appear on a lot of Quinn Martin productions.

Posted in 1970s, Obits, Theatre, TV | Comments Closed

“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 23

April 22nd, 2020

Remember the XB-70?

Okay, that’s kind of a trick question: very few people other than military aviation buffs remember the XB-70. It was an amazing concept: a plane capable of sustained flight at Mach 3 and 70,000 feet.

Sadly, the project was overtaken by events: they ended up building only two planes, and one was lost in a mid-air collision. The other one is in the Air Force Museum in Dayton.

I didn’t know that there was video of the XB-70 in flight. Until last night, that is.

Bonus video #1: since that one was a little short, I’m going to go a little long with this one. “Ejection Decison – A Second Too Late!”. Basically, the point of this training film is: decide before you start flying under what circumstances you’re going to eject. There’s some good video of actual ejections, as well as testimony from pilots who planned and followed through.

Bonus video #2: a short history of the ejection seat from Martin-Baker.

Posted in History, Planes | Comments Closed

Obit watch: April 22, 2020.

April 22nd, 2020

Tom Lester. He didn’t have an extensive list of credits, but is perhaps best known as “Eb Dawson”, the farmhand on “Green Acres”. He was apparently the last surviving member of the original cast.

Andrew J. Fenady, TV producer and writer.

Posted in 1970s, Obits, TV | Comments Closed

In case you were wondering…

April 22nd, 2020

I did finally make it down to Cabela’s on Monday. They were open, but with the standard measures in place: limiting the number of people allowed inside, social distancing (you had to take a number and wait behind a rope just to even approach the gun counter), etc.

They were pretty much cleaned out of handgun ammo. Some rifle ammo and what appeared to be plenty of shotgun ammo with smaller shot. (Think birds and skeet, not self-defense.) Some used pistols, but less than usual. Not a whole lot of used rifles: a fair number of Mosins and a bunch of Savage rifles that they seemed to be clearing out, but very few rifles beyond those. There were obvious holes in the new gun stock, but they weren’t totally sold out.

I saw two pre-Model 27 Smiths, one for $800 and one for $900. Of the two, I liked the $800 one better, and a pre-27 is high on the want list, but I couldn’t quite bring myself to pull the trigger on it. I have the money, but I also had planned a trip for mid-June and was holding on for hotel expenses and possible purchases there.

Then I came home and found out the event I was going to in June was cancelled. So much for that.

(This is kind of cool. It is SA/DA, which fits the criteria I’m looking for to shoot Karl’s “Historical Handgun” class eventually. But I already have one .40 S&W (a Glock 35) and can easily convert my M&P in .357 SIG to .40 S&W as well. I really want something in 10mm (like a S&W 1076/1006), not .40, so I can check that box on my gun hipster bingo card. Also, to be honest, that big “40 TACTICAL” on the slide is kind of a turn-off.)

(Also tempting. If I order now, I should have it in hand for archduke season.)

I’m still thinking accessories instead of new (to me) guns, though, unless I see something at a really compelling price. Also, if things get better, Mike the Musicologist and I are talking about hitting Wanenmacher’s in November…

Posted in Guns | 3 Comments »

“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 22

April 21st, 2020

Let’s talk about guns.

I think today’s featured video falls squarely into the “educational” category. It is also a little better quality than usual.

“Range Safety For Firearms Instructors”, from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC, because I’m not going to keep typing that out). I’m actually quite serious about the educational value of this one: if you’re an NRA certified instructor, all of this is probably covered in your training. But if you’re just a guy taking new or inexperienced shooters to the range, you might get some useful tips out of this.

(It is a little over 15 minutes, but if you’re pressed for time, you can probably skip over the part where they specifically talk about the Uzi. Unless you’re taking new shooters to the range to shoot your full-auto Uzi submachine gun, in which case I want to go with you. Please?)

Bonus video #1: if you’re more pressed for time, here’s a basic introduction to range safety from the National Shooting Sports Foundation that would be good to show to new and inexperienced shooters.

Bonus videos #2 and #3: more from the good folks at FLETC. “Rounds of Authority”, about various types of shotgun ammunition. If you ever wanted to see folks shoot various types of shotgun rounds (including some of the exotics) into various objects (ballistic gel, car doors, soft body armor, etc.) this is the video for you.

In a similar vein, “.40 Caliber Ammunition”, focusing specifically on the .40 S&W and the various tactical and training loads available at the time (1998). And yes, this features more video of stuff being shot.

Keep in mind that these last two are pretty old (23 and 22 years, respectively) and represent what was available at the time, and what the thinking at the time was. Don’t take this as revealed gospel truth today.

Posted in Guns, History | Comments Closed

“What you gonna do when you get out of jail?…” part 21

April 20th, 2020

I’m fascinated by atomic energy.

Not just bombs – though what high explosives fan can resist the biggest booms of all – but atomic energy in general. The early power reactors. Atoms for peace. Project Plowshare.

I have personal reasons for this, but in my mind, it also ties in to something I call “The Future We Could Have Had”. A lot of folks have written about facets of that future, and someday I may do a longer blog post on the idea.

Today is not that day. But here are some vintage atomic videos to hold you.

First up, “First Reactor In Space…SNAP 10A”. SNAP 10A was an experimental reactor launched almost exactly 55 years ago (April 3, 1965) and was the first nuclear reactor in orbit.

Bonus video: “Power For Continent Seven”. Yes, there was a reactor at McMurdo Station (PM-3A) that operated for about 10 years.

Slight spoiler: if you read the Wikipedia entries, you’ll find that neither one of these projects was, shall we say, 100% successful.

Posted in Geek, History | Comments Closed

Obit watch: April 20, 2020.

April 20th, 2020

Nobuhiko Obayashi, Japanese film director.

Mr. Obayashi’s startling feature debut, in 1977, was “House,” a demented horror movie that is more comic than scary. The Los Angeles Times called it “one of the most enduringly — and endearingly — weird cult movies of the last few decades.”
Reviewing it in The New York Times in 2010, when it had a theatrical run at the IFC Center in Manhattan in advance of a DVD release, Manohla Dargis described the goings-on.
“This might be about a haunted house,” she wrote, “but it’s the film that is more truly possessed: In one scene a piano bites off the fingers of a musician tickling its keys; in another a severed head tries to take a bite out of a girl’s rear, snapping at the derrière as if it were an apple. Later a roomful of futons goes on the attack.”

Peter Beard, wildlife photographer and wild man. I’d never heard of this guy before, but the obit is amazing.

Even by the dashing standards of wildlife photography, his résumé was the stuff of high drama, full of daring, danger, romance and tall tales, many of them actually true. Had Mr. Beard not already existed, he might well have been the result of a collaborative brain wave by Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Paul Bowles.
He was matinee-idol handsome and, as an heir to a fortune, wealthy long before his photographs began selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece.
Besides documenting Africa’s vanishing fauna, he photographed some of the world’s most beautiful women in fashion shoots for Vogue, Elle and other magazines. He had well-documented romances with many of them, including Candice Bergen and Lee Radziwill, the sister of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.

…

There was the time, for example, as Vanity Fair reported in 1996, that Mr. Beard, after roistering until 5 a.m. at a Nairobi nightclub, emerged the next afternoon from a tent on his ranch in the Kenyan countryside followed by the “four or five” young Ethiopian women he had brought home with him.
“We were very cozy,” he noted.
There was the time in 2013, The New York Post reported, citing court documents, that Mr. Beard, then 75, returned home about 6 a.m. to the Midtown Manhattan apartment he shared with his wife, Nejma Beard, who was also his agent, after a night’s revels.
Ms. Beard did not take kindly to his return — not because of the hour, but because he happened to have two Russian prostitutes in tow. In response, she dialed 911, declared that her husband was attempting suicide and had him committed for a time to a local hospital.

He “discovered” the supermodel Iman, and was at one time married to Cheryl Tiegs.

Mr. Beard’s best-known work was the book “The End of the Game,” first published in 1965. Comprising his text and photographs, it documented not only the vanishing romance of Africa — a place long prized by Western colonialists for its open savannas and abundant big game — but also the tragedy of the continent’s imperiled wildlife, in particular the elephant.

…

Mr. Beard’s close studies of wildlife at Tsavo East National Park in Kenya had shown him that the elephant population there, having far outstripped the available food supply, was starving to death by the thousands. Deeming himself a “preservationist,” he argued for the controlled culling of elephant herds, a position that by the 1960s had made many conservationists cringe.
“Conservation,” Mr. Beard once said, “is for guilty people on Park Avenue with poodles and Pekingeses.”
Mr. Beard brought his thesis home even more starkly in subsequent editions of “The End of the Game,” which contained his later aerial photographs of the ravaged Kenyan landscape. In those images, elephant skeletons litter the parched earth like gleaming ghosts.

…

For Mr. Beard, the late 20th century was a notably dark time. In 1977, while he was in New York City, an oil furnace exploded at his Montauk home. The house was destroyed, along with paintings by Warhol, Bacon and Picasso and decades’ worth of Mr. Beard’s photographs and diaries.
In September 1996, while picnicking near the Kenya-Tanzania border, he was charged by an elephant, who came at him, he recalled, like “a freight train.”
The elephant ran a tusk through his leg, narrowly missing the femoral artery. Using its head as a battering ram, it crushed Mr. Beard, breaking ribs and fracturing his pelvis in at least a half-dozen places. By the time he arrived at the hospital in Nairobi, according to news reports, he had no pulse.
Doctors revived him, but damage to his optic nerve left him blind. He was told that he might never walk again. He eventually regained his sight, and the ability to walk. He underwent further surgery in New York and lived ever after with more than two-dozen pins in his pelvis.

Sadly, Mr. Beard had developed dementia: he wandered away from his home sometime around March 31st. His body was discovered yesterday.

Posted in Movies, Obits | Comments Closed

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