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Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Overview
* 2 History
o 2.1 Major Units Assigned
+ 2.1.1 Pre World War II (1919 - 1940)
+ 2.1.2 World War II (1941)
+ 2.1.3 World War II (1945)
+ 2.1.4 Postwar Years (1946 - 1949)
+ 2.1.5 Cold War (1950 - 1991)
o 2.2 Major Commands to Which Assigned
+ 2.2.1 Pre-World War II
+ 2.2.2 Post-World War II
o 2.3 Operational History
+ 2.3.1 Origins
+ 2.3.2 World War II - December 1941
+ 2.3.3 Japanese Occupation Period January 1942 - January 1945
+ 2.3.4 World War II - 1945
+ 2.3.5 Postwar Use
+ 2.3.6 405th Fighter Wing
+ 2.3.7 3d Tactical Fighter Wing
+ 2.3.8 Cope Thunder
+ 2.3.9 Tactical Airlift
+ 2.3.10 US Withdrawal
+ 2.3.11 Post 1991 Military Use
* 3 Amenities
o 3.1 Culture and recreation
o 3.2 Education
o 3.3 Weather
* 4 See also
* 5 References
* 6 External links

[edit] Overview

Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991. The base covered 14.3 square miles (37 km²) with a military reservation extending north that covered another 230 square miles (596 km²). The base was a stronghold of American forces during the end of World War II, and until 1975, it was a backbone of logistical support during the Vietnam War.

[edit] History

Clark Air Base (1957-1991) was named in honor of Major Harold M. Clark (1890-1919). A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Maj Clark grew up in the Philippines, was commissioned in the cavalry in 1913, and later transferred to the Aviation Section of the Air Service. He subsequently commanded an aero squadron in Hawaii, setting numerous records as the first military aviator in the islands. Major Clark became executive officer of the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in Panama, and died when the Curtis HS2LS flying boat he was piloting crashed into the gates of the Miraflores Locks in the Panama Canal on 2 May 1919.

Other names of Clark Air Base have been:

* Fort Stotsenburg (Camp Stotsenburg), 1 September 1903 - 1 September 1919
* Clark Field, 1 September 1919 - 20 December 1941
* Army Air Base (AAB) Clark Field, 10 September 1945 - 26 March 1948
* Clark Air Force Base, 26 March 1948 - 3 December 1957

The original Clark Field was only a part of Fort Stotsenburg. After U.S. forces recaptured the area in 1945 the name Clark was applied to the entire Fort Stotsenburg area. This was recognized officially in 1948 when all of that reservation became Clark Air Force Base.

Clark Field was occupied by the Imperial Japanese Army between 20 December 1941 - 10 February 1945.

[edit] Major Units Assigned

[edit] Pre World War II (1919 - 1940)

* 3d Aero Squadron (Observation)*, 2 December 1919 - 14 May 1921

Redesignated 3d Squadron*, 14 May 1921 - 25 January 1923
Redesignated 3d Pursuit Squadron*, 25 January 1923 - 16 June 1938

* 28th Squadron (Bomb), 1 September 1922 - 4 June 1923

28th Bombardment Squadron*, 16 June 1938 - 24 December 1941

[edit] World War II (1941)

* Philippine Department Air Force (September - October 1941)
Redesignated Far East Air Force (28 October - 24 December 1941)
o V Bomber Command, 14 November - 24 December 1941
o 20th Pursuit Squadron, July - December 1941 (P-40B)
o 14th Bombardment Squadron 16 September 1941 - 1 January 1942 (B-17)
o 24th Pursuit Group, 1 October - 20 December 1941 (P-40B)
o 19th Bombardment Group, 26 October - 24 December 1941 (B-17)
o 30th Bombardment Squadron 23d October - 20 December 1941 (B-17)
o 93d Bombardment Squadron 23d October - 20 December 1941 (B-17)

[edit] World War II (1945)

* Advance Echelon, Fifth Air Force*, 10 February - 1 April 1945
Redesignated Fifth Air Force 1 April - 30 June 1945
o Headquarters, 13th Air Force, 1 January - 20 May 1946
o 475th Fighter Group, 28 February - 20 April 1945 (P-38)
o 22d Bombardment Group, 12 March - 4 August 1945 (B-24)
o 43d Bombardment Group, 16 March - 26 July 1945 (B-24)
o 35th Fighter Group, 19 April - 28 June 1945 (P-51D)
o 421st Night Fighter Squadron, 26 April 1945 - 16 July 1945 (P-61)
o 312th Bombardment Group, May - August 1945 (B-32)
o 54th Troop Carrier Wing, June - September 1945 (C-47)
o 419th Night Fighter Squadron 10 January 1946 - 7 May 1946 (P-61)

[edit] Postwar Years (1946 - 1949)

* 29th Air Service Group*, 16 February 1946 - 1 January 1947
o Headquarters, 313th Bombardment Wing 15 March 1946 - 15 June 1948
+ 6th Bombardment Group (VH) 28 January 1946 - 1 June 1947 (B-29)
+ 504th Bombardment Group (VH) 6 March - 15 June 1946 (B-29)
+ 505th Bombardment Group (VH) 14 March - 30 June 1946 (B-29)
+ 9th Bombardment Group (VH) 15 April 1946 - 9 June 1947 (B-29)
* 358th Air Service Group*, 1 January 1947 - 1 July 1949
o 18th Fighter Wing 16 September 1947 - 1 December 1950 (P/F-47, P/F-51, RB-17G, RB-29 (F-2))
o Headquarters, 13th Air Force, 1 May 1949 - 2 December 1991
* 24th Air Depot Wing*, 1 July 1949 - 1 December 1950
o 6204th Photo Mapping Squadron, 16 September 1949 - 1 June 1953
o 6208th Depot Wing 17 December 1949 - 1 September 1952

[edit] Cold War (1950 - 1991)

* 6200th Air Base Wing*, 1 December 1950 - 1 February 1953
Redesignated 6200th Air Base Group, 1 Feb 1953 - 10 April 1959
o 581 Air Resupply & Communications Wing 18 July 1952 - 7 September 1953
o 24th Air Depot Wing, 1 September 1952 - 16 February 1954
o 6424th Air Depot Wing 16 February - 25 November 1954
o 26th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 11 November 1954 - 9 April 1959
o 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 9 April 1959 - 24 July 1960
* 405th Fighter Wing*, 10 April 1959 - 16 September 1974
o 69th Military Airlift Support Group 8 July 1966 - 1 January 1972
* 463d Tactical Airlift Wing 15 July 1968 - 31 December 1971
o 29th Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QB)
o 772d Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QF)
o 773d Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QG)
o 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130B, Tail Code: QW)
Most aircraft deployed on rotating basis to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam
* 374th Tactical Airlift Wing (C-130) 15 November 1973 - 30 June 1989
o 20th Aeromedical Airlift Squadron (C-9)
o 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron (C-130H)
* 3d Tactical Fighter Wing*, 16 September 1974 - 19 December 1991

.* Performed Host Unit Mission

[edit] Major Commands to Which Assigned

[edit] Pre-World War II

* War Department, 1903 - 1917
* Philippine Department, 1917 - 1919
* The Adjutant General of the Army, Department of the Philippines, 1919 - 4 August 1941
* Air Forces, United States Army Forces in the Far East, 4 August - 20 September 1941
* Philippines Dept Air Force, 20 September - 20 December 1941

Redesignated Far East Air Force, 20 -24 December 1941

[edit] Post-World War II

* Sixth Army, 16 February - 15 May 1945
* Eighth Army, 15 May - 1 June 1945
* Far East Air Force, 1 June - 6 December 1945

Redesignated Pacific Air Command, USA, 6 December 1945 - 1 January 1947

* Far East Air Forces, 1 January 1947 - 1 July 1957

Redesignated United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), 1 July 1957 - 19 December 1991

[edit] Operational History

See also: History of Clark Air Base

[edit] Origins

Clark Air Base was originally established as Fort Stotsenburg in Sapang Bato, Angeles in 1903 under control of the U.S. Army. Officers' quarters and water system constructed 1910-1911 and a flying school was created in 1912. Construction of steel hangars and a dirt air strip 1917-1918; a portion of Ft Stotsenburg officially set aside for the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps and named Clark Fld, Sep 1919.

The 3d Aero Squadron was assigned to Clark Field in December 1919 and for the next decade functioned as an observer training unit flying a wide variety of mono and biplanes.

In 1922, the 28th Squadron (Bomb) was assigned as a defense force for the Philippines.

Clark served as a landing field for medium bombers and accommodated half of the heavy bombers stationed in the Philippines during the 1930s. In the late summer and fall of 1941, many aircraft were sent to Clark in anticipation of war with Imperial Japan. Six B-17Cs and 29 B-17Ds were serving with the 19th Bombardment Group based at Clark The 14th Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bombardment Group had been transferred to the Philippines in September of 1941 in a spectacular trans-Pacific flight to Clark Field, and two more squadrons had flown to Clark in October.

[edit] World War II - December 1941

Clark and its subordinate airfield at Del Monte were the only airfields in the Philippines capable of heavy bomber operations at the outbreak of World War II.

News of the Pearl Harbor attack was received at about 3 AM on Dec 8 in the Philippines. According to the previously-agreed upon plan, if hostilities were to break out, an attack on Japanese bases in Formosa was to be immediately carried out by the 19th Bombardment Group's Fortresses. On Dec 8, there were 35 USAAC B-17s in the Philippines, with two squadrons at Clark Field on Luzon with a total of 19 planes, and two squadrons at Del Monte on Mindanao 500 miles to the south with the other 16 B-17s.

For reasons which are still unclear even today, the planned raid on Formosa was delayed. Instead, in order to prevent them from being destroyed on the ground by a Japanese air attack, all flyable B-17s based at Clark Field had been ordered into the air and to patrol the waters around Luzon. In the meantime, General Lewis H. Brereton, General MacArthur's air commander, finally got approval to carry out the strike against Japanese bases on Formosa, and the B-17s were recalled to Clark. When the Fortresses returned to Clark, three of them were equipped with cameras for reconnaissance and the remainder were loaded up with 100-lb and 300-lb bombs in preparation for the planned mission to Formosa.

The three reconnaissance B-17s were taxiing out for the initial photographic mission to Formosa when about 200 Japanese aircraft struck. Unfortunately, all the P-40 fighters had been recalled for refuelling and were on the ground. . At the end of the day's action it was apparent that the Japanese had won a major victory. The effective striking power of Far East AF had been destroyed, the fighter strength had been seriously reduced, most B-17 maintenance facilities were demolished, and about 80 men were killed. The sole surviving B-17 had not taken off on the morning alert, and had been taken up in the air while the rest were being prepared for the Formosa raid. The Fortresses at Del Monte 500 miles to the south were out of range of the Zeros from Formosa and were left untouched.

At Clark Field, three or four of the damaged B-17s were put back into service. They were joined by the B-17s from Del Monte. By December 9, reconnaissance missions were being undertaken by the 19th Bombardment Group in search of the Japanese fleet. Also, the 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), based at Nichols Field were transferred tp Clark with P-40's.

On December 10, a Japanese convoy was spotted, and five B-17s were dispatched. This was the first American bombardment mission of World War II. No fighter opposition was encountered, and some hits were recorded on the transports.

That same day, a B-17C piloted by Captain Colin P. Kelly dropped bombs from high altitude on what the crew thought to be a Japanese battleship. Hits were recorded, and a tremendous explosion was observed. Kelly's plane was immediately pounced upon by Zeros, one of which was flown by Saburo Sakai, who was later to become a famous ace. Kelly guided his heavily-damaged plane back towards Clark Field. He ordered the crew to parachute to safety, but before Kelly himself could leave, the aircraft exploded and Kelly was killed.

When the surviving crew was questioned, the report was flashed out that they had sunk the Japanese battleship Haruna, and the mission was hailed as a great victory. Captain Kelly was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by President Franklin Roosevelt for his heroism, and was written up in glowing press reports. However, information revealed in the immediate postwar years revealed that the Haruna was nowhere near the area at that time and that the ship most likely struck was the cruiser Ashigari, and it was only fairly lightly damaged by the attack.

On 12 December, about 100 Japanese aircraft again hit Clark. The airfield is severely damaged and plans were made to evacuate the facility. On the 19th, the air echelon of the 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) were transferred from Clark to Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia with B-17's. The ground echelon is attached to the 5th Interceptor Command (Provisional) and sent to fight as infantry on Luzon and Mindanao Islands. On Christmas Eve, HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the air echelon of the 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) were transferred from Clark to Batchelor Field with B-17's. The ground echelon of the 28th were dispatched to fight as infantry on Luzon and Mindanao.

The remaining aircraft and personnel at Clark were evacuated to Australia by 31 Dec 1941. The base was overrun by Japanese forces less than a week later in early January, 1942.

[edit] Japanese Occupation Period January 1942 - January 1945

During the period of Japanese occupation, Clark was known as Mabalacat Airfield, and several auxiliary airfields constructed and used. Lilly Hill, located near the center of the base, was excavated to allow tunnels to be built into its sides for the storage of fuel and munitions in an attempt to protect them from air raids.

The airfield was fortified with several Type 88 75 mm AA Guns. Several USAAF B-24 Liberator bombers flying over Clark were shot down by these weapons.

With the surrender of Battan and the infamous Bataan Death March in April, 1942, American and Phillipino prisoners were marched past the main gate of the airfield.

In late 1944, with the tide of the war turning against the Japanese, Vice Admiral Takijirō Ōnishi decided to form a suicide attack force, the Special Attack Unit. In a meeting at Mabalacat, on October 19, 1944, Onishi told officers of the 201st Flying Group headquarters: that he believed the only way to retain control of the Philippines was to put a 250 kg bombs on Zero fighter planes and crash them into U.S. carriers, to wreak havoc on the U.S. Fleet and disable them for weeks.

Commanded by Ōnishi, the first Kamikaze missions were launched from the occupied Clark Air Base. The first volunteers were 23 pilots of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 201st Kokutai, 1st Air Fleet. These were divided into four separate groups: Shikishima, Yamato, Asahi and the Yama Yukio Seki units.

At 07:25 October 25, 1944, the Shikishima unit departed Clark lead by Lieutenant Yokjo Seki. At 10:45am they attacked U.S. ships stationed at Leyte Island, Philippines during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Five Zeros, led by Seki, and escorted to the target by leading Japanese ace Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, attacked several escort carriers. One Zero attempted to hit the bridge of the USS Kitkun Bay but instead exploded on the port catwalk and cartwheeled into the sea. Two others dove at USS Fanshaw Bay but were destroyed by anti-aircraft fire. The last two ran at the USS White Plains, however one, under heavy fire and trailing smoke, aborted the attempt on the White Plains and instead banked toward the USS St. Lo, plowing into the flight deck. Its bomb caused fires that resulted in the bomb magazine exploding, sinking the carrier.

[edit] World War II - 1945

Clark Air Base was recaptured by Americans in January 1945 after three months of fierce fighting. elements of the Sixth U.S. Army cleared most Japanese from Ft Stotsenburg-Clark Fld area and flying activity commenced on least damaged runway while the field still drew Japanese fire, 25 Jan 1945; saboteurs and infiltrators sporadically damaged parked aircraft until 10 Feb 1945.

Clark was used as an operational base for several groups in the closing months of the war in the southwest Pacific. Operational units flying from Clark were:

* 475th Fighter Group (P-38) - flew many missions to support ground forces on Luzon during the first part of 1945. Also flew escort missions to China and attacked railways on Formosa.

* 22d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (B-24) - Bombed Japanese airfields, shipping, and oil installations in Borneo, Ceram, and Halmahera.

* 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy) (B-24) - Struck industries, airfields, and installations in China and Formosa; and supported ground forces on Luzon.

* 35th Fighter Group (P-51D) - Operated in support of ground forces on Luzon. Also escorted bombers and completed some fighter sweeps to Formosa and China.

* 421st Night Fighter Squadron (P-61) - Flew night intruder missions against Japanese airfields and ground installations. Also provided protection of B-29 bases on Saipan against night attacks, and flew combat air patrols and interception missions.

* 312th Bombardment Group (B-32) - Performed operational combat testing of Consolidated B-32 Dominator Bomber. The first combat mission took place on 29 May 1945 with a strike against a Japanese supply depot in Luzon's Cayagan Valley. This raid was followed by a series of attacks on Japanese targets in the Philippines, in Formosa, and on Hainan Island in the Tonkin Gulf.

[edit] Postwar Use
B-29 Superfortress
B-29 Superfortress
18th TFW F-51Ds In Korea
18th TFW F-51Ds In Korea

With the end of the war in September 1945, Clark became an immediate dumping ground for aircraft of all types from inactivating fighter and bomber units in the southwest Pacific. Aircraft were flown to Clark and the pilots (along with aircrews and maintenance and support personnel) would get on transports back to the United States for discharge. Many of the aircraft (some almost brand-new) were scrapped although low-hour planes were retained and flown back to the United States storage fields and mothballed.

The 20th Air Force 313th Bombardment Wing with four Boeing B-29 Superfortress (6th, 9th, 504th, 505th) Very Heavy bomb groups was reassigned from North Field, Tinian on 13 March 1946. Between 1946 and 15 June 1948, all of these groups were reassigned or inactivated:

* 6th Bombardment Group -> Kadena AB, Okinawa (1 June 1947)
* 9th Bombardment Group -> Harmon Field, Guam, (9 June 1947)
* 504th Bombardment Group -> Inactivated 15 June 1946.
* 505th Bombardment Group -> Inactivated 30 June 1946.

On March 14, 1947, the U.S. and the Philippines signed the Military Bases Agreement which provided for use of Clark Air Base until the year 2046 (later amended by the 1966 Rusk-Ramos agreement to 1991).

The 18th Fighter Group was assigned to Clark on 16 September 1947. The 18th was the major Far East Air Force unit in the Philippines in the immediate postwar years, flying a mixture of fighter (P/F-47, P/F-51, F-80), and reconnaissance (RB-29, RB-17G) aircraft. The 18th Flew patrols and trained with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars, with the distinction of being the first overseas fighter unit to be jet-equipped. On 20 January 1950, the wing was re-designated the 18th Fighter-Bomber Wing. As a result of the Korean War, the 18th was reassigned from Clark to Pusan AB, South Korea on 1 Dec 1950.

During the Korean War, the 6204th Photo Mapping Squadron was deployed for three months in 1950 performing aerial mapping of both North and South Korea before being replaced. The unit flew adapted Boeing B-17s (as RB-17Gs) for photographic mapping by having its bombing equipment deleted and replaced by photographic equipment. Some cameras were installed in the nose and in the aft fuselage as well.

During the Koran War and First Indochina War (1950-1954), the 581st Air Resupply and communications Wing performed psychological warfare and unconventional operations. Conducted limited operations in French Indochina in 1953 with C-119, B-29, C-54, and C-118 aircraft.

During the immediate postwar years and throughout the 1950s, Clark's mission was that of a major supply and maintenance depot for Far East Air Forces (later Pacific Air Forces) along with being a command base with Headquarters, 13th Air Force taking up residence in 1949. 13th Air Force would remain at Clark until its closure in 1991.

The 39th Air Division at Misawa AB, Japan deployed the 26th, and later the 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadrons to Clark from 1954 - 1960 flying North American F-86F & F-86D Sabres to provide air defense of the Philippine Islands.

[edit] 405th Fighter Wing
F-4C 64-0820 1st TFS 405th FW, Clark AB Feb 1975
F-4C 64-0820 1st TFS 405th FW, Clark AB Feb 1975

A change of mission occurred at Clark with the activation of the 405th Fighter Wing on 4 September 1959, replacing the 6200th Air Base Wing. The mission changed from that of being a support depot and maintenance facility to that of an operational fighter wing.

The mission of the 405th was to provide air defense and offensive fighter operations in the Philippines, Taiwan, and other Far Eastern points. The wing had numerous TDY squadrons attached over its operational lifetime at Clark. The following operational squadrons assigned to the wing were:

* 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron (9 April 1959 - 16 March 1964) (North American F-100D, purple colors.

* 8th Bombardment Squadron (18 Nov 1964 - 15 Jan 1968) (Martin B-57A, Yellow tail stripe)
* 13th Bombardment Squadron (18 Nov 1964 - 15 Jan 1968) (Martin B-57A)

Both Squadrons reassigned to 35th TFW, Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, January 1968. Tail coded PE, PK, PN, PQ and PV

* 64th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (10 Jun 1966 - 15 Dec 1969)
(Convair F-102A, Tail Coded "PE" Blue/Yellow noted as squadron colors.)
* 509th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (9 Apr 1959 - 15 Dec 1969)
(North American F-86D, Convair F-102A, Converted from F-86D to F-102A 10 Jun 1966. Tail Coded "PK" Red noted as squadron color.)

Both F-102 squadrons rotated between Clark and Bien Hoa Air Base and Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam. Rotational TDY also to Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Inactivated December 1969.

* 523d Tactical Fighter Squadron (20 Nov 1965-31 Aug 1973) (F-100D, F-4C/D)
Initially equipped with F-100D, converted to F-4D in 1970. Detachment of squadron maintained at Ching Chuan Kang Air Base, Taiwan. Deployed detachment of F-4Ds to 432d TRW, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base during 1972 North Vietnamese Easter Offensive. Used "PN" as tail code beginning 1972. Reassigned to 27th TFW, Cannon AFB, New Mexico as F-111 squadron.

* 1st Test Squadron (30 April 1970 - 16 September 1974) (McDonnell F-4C/D)
Tail Codes DS, PA and PN used. Operated in the test role for PACAF F-4 wings.

* 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron (15 Dec 1972-16 Sep 1974) (McDonnell F-4D/E/G) (Tail Code: PH)
* 774th Tactical Airlift Squadron (31 Dec 1971-15 Sep 1972) (C-130, C-118) (Tail Code: QW)

During the Vietnam War, the wing provided air defense training for Royal Thai Air Force personnel, from Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand from November 1961 - February 1966. From mid-1962 until the end of the conflict in Southeast Asia, the wing frequently deployed assigned and attached components to bases in Thailand and South Vietnam for air defense and combat operations under operational control of other organizations.

When not so involved, components trained in air defense and other tactical exercises in Taiwan and the Philippines. During Jul-Aug 1972, provided extensive flood relief to Philippine areas inundated by monsoon rains. During Feb-Mar 1973, provided medical, logistical, and administrative support for former American prisoners of war, on their way to the United States from North Vietnam.

[edit] 3d Tactical Fighter Wing
McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC Phantom Serial 69-0275 of the 90th TFS/3d TFW Clark AFB, Philippines, 1979. Later, this aircraft was converted to the F-4G configuration. To AMARC as FP1024 3/25/1996. To Holloman AFB as QF-4G AF151. Expended 2/5/1998.
McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC Phantom Serial 69-0275 of the 90th TFS/3d TFW Clark AFB, Philippines, 1979. Later, this aircraft was converted to the F-4G configuration. To AMARC as FP1024 3/25/1996. To Holloman AFB as QF-4G AF151. Expended 2/5/1998.
Northrup F-5E Tiger IIs of the 26th Training Aggressor Squadron at Clark AB. Serial 73-0847 in foreground was originally scheduled for shipment to the South Vietnamese Air Force, however the aircraft was retained by the USAF after the collapse of the South Vietnamese government in 1975. With the deactivation of the 26th TAS in 1990, this aircraft was sold to the Honduras Air Force.
Northrup F-5E Tiger IIs of the 26th Training Aggressor Squadron at Clark AB. Serial 73-0847 in foreground was originally scheduled for shipment to the South Vietnamese Air Force, however the aircraft was retained by the USAF after the collapse of the South Vietnamese government in 1975. With the deactivation of the 26th TAS in 1990, this aircraft was sold to the Honduras Air Force.

After the end of the Vietnam War, the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned to Clark without personnel or equipment from Kunsan AB, South Korea on 16 September 1974, replacing the 405th Fighter Wing which was inactivated in place.

The 3d TFW assumed the mission of the former 405th and provided tactical air defense of the Philippines. It participated in frequent operational exercises and evaluations. Between 5 April and 31 May, 1975, the wing used its facilities as a staging area for Operations Baby Lift (evacuation of Vietnamese Orphans from South Vietnam to the United States) and New Life (Evacuation of Vietnamese Adults to the United States for resettlement). Provided PACAF aircrews with realistic training in dissimilar aerial combat and current intelligence on enemy air-to-air capabilities and tactics, 1976-1989.

Operational squadrons of the 3d TFW were:

* 1st Test Squadron (16 September 1974 - 30 September 1978) (F-4E) (PN)
* 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron (16 September 1974 - 16 December 1991)(F-4E/G) (PN, Red tail stripe)
Converted to "Wild Weasel" role in 1979 when converting to F-4G.
* 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron (1 December 1975 - 16 December 1991) (F-4E) (PN, Blue tail stripe)
* 26th Aggressor Squadron (2 January 1976 - 21 February 1990) (T-38/F-5E)

Transient aircraft of many types, especially cargo jets, were very common. Fighter planes regularly visited to participate in aerial warfare exercises at Crow Valley about 30 miles (50 km) to the northwest.

Clark was served regularly by cargo and passenger flights to and from Andersen AFB, Guam; Kadena AB, Japan; Diego Garcia; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Saigon, Vietnam (until 1975). During the 1970s, passengers arrived via Trans International Douglas DC-8 flights from Travis AFB, California (via Honolulu and Guam).

By 1980, the base had grown to such an extent that weekly Flying Tigers Boeing 747 service to St. Louis (via Kadena AB Japan; Anchorage; and Los Angeles) had begun. The 747 service was taken over by Tower Air sometime in the late 1980s, and was augmented with a weekly Hawaiian Airlines L-1011 or Douglas DC-8 to Guam-Honolulu-Los Angeles.

The Wing deployed six F-4Es to Turkey for Operation Desert Storm in early 1991 where they flew some of that aircraft's last combat sorties.

[edit] Cope Thunder
Douglas A-4K Skyhawk aircraft of No. 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, are serviced on the flight line during Exercise COPE THUNDER '84-7 on 10 Sep 1984 at Clark Air Base
Douglas A-4K Skyhawk aircraft of No. 75 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, are serviced on the flight line during Exercise COPE THUNDER '84-7 on 10 Sep 1984 at Clark Air Base
C-130B of the 463d TAW at Ton Son Nuht AB, SVN, 1969
C-130B of the 463d TAW at Ton Son Nuht AB, SVN, 1969

Cope Thunder was a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise initiated at Clark in 1976 which was devised as a way to give aircrews from across Asia their first taste of warfare. The exercise quickly grew into PACAF’s "premier simulated combat airpower employment exercise."

Prior to Operation Desert Storm, less than one-fifth of the U.S. Air Force’s primary fighter pilots had seen actual combat. While the percentage of combat-experienced pilots has increased in recent years, with the end of the Vietnam War a high percentage of had not been thrust into combat. Analysis indicates most combat losses occurred during an aircrew’s first eight to 10 missions. Therefore, the goal of Cope Thunder was to provide each aircrew with these first vital missions, increasing their chances of survival in combat environments.

Each Cope Thunder exercise was a multi-service, multi-platform coordinated, combat operations exercise and corresponds to the designed operational capability of participating units. In other words, exercises involved several units whose military mission may differ significantly from that of other participating units. Cope Thunder planners took those factors into consideration when designing exercises so participants received the maximum training possible without being placed at an unfair advantage during simulated combat scenarios.

[edit] Tactical Airlift

Between 1968 and 1989, PACAF, and starting in 1974, Military Airlift Command operated a theater airlift capability from Clark.

The 463d Tactical Airlift Wing rotated C-130 squadrons between Clark and Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. After the war, the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing operated C-130s within the theater, as well as Aeromedical Evacuation flights.

[edit] US Withdrawal

See also: Mount Pinatubo

Hangars at Clark Air Base destroyed by ashfall from Pinatubo eruption
Hangars at Clark Air Base destroyed by ashfall from Pinatubo eruption

The overthrow of President Marcos in the Philippines in 1986 had led to a souring of relations between the islands and the United States. The Philippine Senate rejected an agreement made between the administration of then-president Corazon Aquino and the US to extend the American lease on the facility, arguing that the terms offered were not sufficiently generous. The US military had warned that if an agreement was not reached in time for the military to complete a full withdrawal, it would end negotiations and begin preparing to leave.

Clark Air Base was completely evacuated beginning June 10, 1991, as a result of the Mount Pinatubo eruption. Aircraft assigned to the 3d TFW were flown to Kadena AB, Okinawa and Andersen AFB, Guam. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo caused considerable damage, raising the cost of staying considerably and making it even less likely that the US would offer more generous terms to remain. With no agreement in sight the US ended negotiations and began shutting down Clark.

The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was placed on non-operational status with the evacuation of Clark in June 1991.

* The 3d TFS was inactivated 19 December 1991 at Clark. Moved w/o/p/e and reassigned to 343d FW, Eileson AFB, Alaska as 3d Fighter Training squadron.

* The 90th TFS inactivated 29 May 1991 at Clark. Moved w/o/p/e and reassigned to 21st TFW, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska as an F-15E Squadron

In November 1991, the United States Air Force lowered the Stars and Stripes and transferred Clark Air Base to the Philippine government. On 16 December the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was inactivated in place, ending the United States military presence at Clark Air Base.

With the United States' withdrawal from Clark, the base was systematically looted and was left abandoned for several years.

[edit] Post 1991 Military Use
A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, arrives to participate in exercise Balikatan 2004.
A C-130 Hercules aircraft from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, arrives to participate in exercise Balikatan 2004.

Since the turnover of Clark to the Philippine government, USAF aircraft and personnel have occasionally visited the facility for joint exercises with the Philippine military forces.

[edit] Amenities

Clark Air Base was arguably the most urbanized military facility in history, and was the largest American base overseas. At its peak around 1990, it had a permanent population of 15,000.

[edit] Culture and recreation

Although the bars off-base in Angeles City were numerous and quite legendary, the servicemen's clubs on base provided alternatives. All three were large-scale operations: the Officer's Club (CABOOM) near the parade ground, the Top Hat Club for NCOs near Lily Hill (moved to near the Silver Wing around 1986), and the Coconut Grove Airmen's Club with indoor palm trees. The NCO Club was especially active and regularly brought major bands and artists from the United States to perform. Also at least a hundred sponsored clubs and organizations were active on the base, including Knights of Columbus, a Latino American club, martial arts dojos, and more. Two major movie theaters operated daily: the Bobbitt Theater which played first-run films, and the Kelly Theater which showed older releases. In the late 1960s and early 1970s movies were also shown at the Bamboo Bowl (the football stadium on base).

The Bamboo Bowl, later renamed Challenger Field, was used for the base's 11 man tackle football league which not only included teams from Clark but from Subic Naval Base as well.

To keep the residents entertained at home, Clark had a very active broadcast center called FEN, or Far East Network Philippines, a division of American Forces Network. The television station (Channel 8; moved to Channel 17 in 1981) showed about 20 hours per day of syndicated programs from the "big three" networks in the United States, with local news and talk programs. This content was locally syndicated until 1983 when programming from Los Angeles was put online. FEN also had two 24-hour radio stations: an AM station which broadcast news and popular music, and FM which was dedicated to easy-listening and classical music. However, with English common in Filipino broadcasting, off-base radio and TV tended to provide a lot of music and American TV fare that was not aired on FEN, such as Dukes of Hazzard and CHiPs.

Two popular events were the annual Chili Cookoff, held near the Silver Wing recreation center around September, and especially the Happening On the Green (referred to as "the HOG"). The HOG was a major carnival held on a designated weekend in February which attracted thousands of residents. Amusements and rides were built and operated not only by Filipino entertainment contractors but also by individual Air Force units seeking to boost unit morale, showcase their talents, and raise funds.

Clark's unique size and history allowed it to develop its own supernatural lore. By the 1970s, the Filipino "white lady" legend had established itself at Clark. Most variations of the story involved a young woman dressed in white who would hail a taxi late at night, and then would vanish from the vehicle enroute.

[edit] Education

The Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) operated six schools in Clark, serving children from kindergarten to twelfth grade.

* Elementary schools (kindergarten-4th grades): MacArthur Elementary School, V. I. Grissom Elementary School, and Wurtsmith Elementary School.
* Middle schools (5th-8th grades): Lily Hill Middle School, Wagner Middle School
* High school: Wagner High School (previously known as Wurtsmith Memorial High School, and then Clark Dependent School before that)

Additionally, Clark was also home to a community college, namely the Pacific Far East Campus of Central Texas College.

[edit] Weather

Clark Air Base experienced two distinct seasons: a dry season from November through April, with a wet season from May through October. From 1953 to 1991, the mean daily low was 73.6°F and the mean daily high was 88.1°F, with April being warmest and January coolest. The average annual rainfall was 78.39 inches. Typhoons tended to approach from the east during the summer and fall. Many damaging storms struck the base, including Typhoon Irma on November 28, 1974 (generally considered to be the strongest one); Typhoon Rita on October 27, 1978; Typhoon Irma on November 24, 1981; Typhoon Ruby on October 25, 1988; and Typhoon Yunya on June 15, 1991 which coincided with the Mount Pinatubo blast. In July, 1972, central Luzon experienced a month of nearly continuous rain, resulting in 96 inches falling on the plain around Clark.

[edit] See also

* Geography of the Philippines
* Military History of the Philippines
* Military History of the United States
* Pacific Air Forces

Other United States Air Force installations in the Philippines:

* Camp O'Donnell
* Crow Valley Range Complex
* John Hay Air Base
* Mactan Air Base
* Wallace Air Station

[edit] References

* Fletcher, Harry R. (1989) Air Force Bases Volume II, Active Air Force Bases outside the United States of America on 17 September 1982. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799536
* Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
* Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
* Rogers, Brian (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, England: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
* Sheftall, M.G. (2005). Blossoms in the Wind: Human Legacies of the Kamikaze. NAL Caliber, 480pp. ISBN 0-451-21487-0.

Aida is a musical drama in two acts based on Giuseppe Verdi's Italian-language opera by the same name, which is based on a story by Auguste Mariette. The musical was produced by Hyperion Theatricals, a unit within Disney Theatrical, with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and book by Linda Woolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang.

Elaborate Lives: The Legend of Aida had its world premier at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia with the production running from September 16 to November 8, 1998. A new, revised production opened on November 12, 1999 at the Cadillac Palace in Chicago. The Broadway production, titled Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, ran at the Palace Theatre from March 23, 2000 to September 4, 2004 for a total of 1,852 performances (and 30 previews). There was also produced a national tour and several international productions. Disney has granted production rights for various regional theater productions as well.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Plot
* 2 Original Broadway cast
* 3 Production history
* 4 Musical numbers
* 5 Recordings
* 6 Awards and nominations
* 7 Live Action and Animated Films
* 8 International productions
* 9 Amateur productions
* 10 References
* 11 External links

[edit] Plot

Act I

In the Egyptian wing of a modern museum, a man and a woman touring the exhibit catch each other's eyes. A statue of Amneris, a female Pharaoh, comes to life ("Every Story is a Love Story"). Amneris transports us to ancient Egypt, where Radames, captain of the Egyptian army, is returning from an expedition through the land of Nubia, Egypt's long-time enemy ("Fortune Favors the Brave"). When his soldiers capture a group of Nubian women, he finds himself captivated by the fierce and majestic Aida, the only woman who makes any attempt to resist ("The Past is Another Land"). After arriving in Egypt, Aida is saved from death in the copper mines by Radames, who sends her as a handmaiden to his betrothed, Princess Amneris. Radames' father, Chief Minister Zoser, greets his son with news that the Pharaoh is dying, and Radames must prepare to become the next ruler of Egypt ("Another Pyramid"). Unbeknownst to Radames, his father is poisoning the Pharaoh in order to accelerate Radames' ascension to the throne.

Radames' Nubian servant, Mereb, is a young man who has learned the tricks of survival in Egypt. While delivering Aida to the princess, Mereb recognizes her as the daughter of the Nubian king under whom he'd served during his days in Nubia. She commands him to keep her identity a secret, lest the Egyptians kill her ("How I Know You"). Presented to Amneris, Aida is liked immediately, and she perceives that the Princess' love of fashion only serves as a mask of her insecurities ("My Strongest Suit"). At a banquet Amneris and Radames learn from the Pharaoh that they are to marry in seven days, leaving the captain distraught that his days as an explorer have ended ("Fortune Favors the Brave (Reprise)"*). Together, he and Aida share their dreams and regrets ("Enchantment Passing Through").

Later that night, Amneris worries about her father's illness, and finds in Aida someone who understands and encourages her ("My Strongest Suit (Reprise)"). Bursting into his fiancée's chamber, Radames steals a moment with Aida to share his growing attraction to her. Aida is taken by Mereb to the Nubian camp, where she submits to her people's pleas to lead them ("Dance of the Robe"). When she implores Radames to help the Nubians, he opens his heart by giving his possessions to them ("Not Me") and declaring his love for her ("Elaborate Lives"). Unable to fight her feelings any longer, she falls into his embrace. Their bliss is interrupted by news that Radames' armies have captured Amonasro, king of Nubia and Aida's father. Unable to comfort her, Radames leaves Aida in distress. Rallying her people, Aida assures them that Nubia will never die ("The Gods Love Nubia").

Act II

Aida, Amneris, and Radames are entangled in conflicted loyalties and emotions ("A Step Too Far"). Aida and Mereb bribe their way into Amonasro's prison cell, where she's reunited with her father. Mereb hatches a plan to escape with the king during the commotion of Amneris' wedding. To save her father and her nation, Aida must betray the man she loves ("Easy as Life"). Meanwhile, Zoser discovers Radames' affair and warns his son that it could cost him the throne, but Radames no longer shares his father's ambitions ("Like Father, Like Son"). After an emotional bout with his son, Zoser orders his men to find Aida and kill her.

At the Nubian camp, Aida receives a written apology from Radames for the thoughtless way he acted upon hearing of Amonasro's capture ("Radames' Letter"). When Egyptian soldiers arrive seeking Aida, another Nubian, Nehebka, sacrifices herself so that the princess can live. Now even more determined to leave Radames forever, Aida goes to say good-bye to him over Mereb's objections ("How I Know You (Reprise)"). Radames informs Aida that he's calling off the wedding. Aida knows that this would ruin her father's escape and tells him he must go through with it ("Written in the Stars"). Radames agrees, on condition that she escape to freedom on a boat he will provide. The heartbroken lovers part, but Amneris has overheard their entire conversation and tries to face the fact that her upcoming marriage is a sham ("I Know the Truth").

News of Amonasro's escape disrupts Amneris' wedding. Radames learns the truth of Aida's identity when he arrives at the docks just as she's about to board his boat with her father. In the chaos, Zoser slays Mereb and Radames makes possible Amonasro's escape. Then he and Aida are arrested for treason. At the ensuing trial, Pharaoh sentences both Aida and Radames to be buried alive. Amneris reprises her role as future Pharaoh by convincing her father to let the lovers die in the same tomb, an act of mercy for two people she has come to love. Facing death, Aida looks to Radames for strength ("Elaborate Lives (Reprise)"). As they are slowly deprived of light and air ("Enchantment Passing Through (Reprise)"), Radames swears he will search through a hundred lifetimes to find her again.

Back in the contemporary museum, the spirit of Amneris watches as the modern man and woman are strangely drawn to each other. They are the reincarnations of Aida and Radames, finding in each other a new beginning ("Every Story is a Love Story (Reprise)").

*"Fortune Favors the Brave (Reprise)" is not featured on the Original Broadway Cast Recording.

[edit] Original Broadway cast

In the Broadway production, Heather Headley originally portrayed the title character of Aida along with co-star Adam Pascal as Radames. Sherie René Scott, who was with the project since its first workshop, continued in the role of Amneris.

The cast also included Tyrees Allen (Amonasro), John Hickok (Zoser), Daniel Oreskes (Pharaoh), Damian Perkins (Mereb), and Chele Williams (Nehebka).

Pascal returned to the Broadway cast as Radames on June 28, 2004 and stayed with the show until its closing on September 5, 2004.

[edit] Production history

From the Atlanta staging, only Heather Headley, as Aida, and Sherie Rene Scott, as Amneris, remained. Adam Pascal joined the cast as Radames for the Chicago run. The Chicago run at the Cadillac Theatre also had its share of drama. On Nov. 13, 1999, a set mishap during the final moments of the performance injured stars Headley and Pascal. According to an eyewitness report, while the two actors were being conveyed in a suspended boxlike "tomb" at the climax of the show, the set piece broke from its support and plunged approximately eight feet to the stage. A subsequent press release from the show's publicist stated that Headley and Pascal sustained minor injuries and were taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital for examination. Both were released from the hospital a few hours later. From then on, the tomb remained on the ground.

The original Atlanta staging conceived of the play with a nearly empty set, displaying only a six-ton gold pyramid-shaped set piece in the center. Driven by pneumatic controls, the pyramid's sides and bottom could be turned and rotated to suggest various locations such as a ship stern or a tomb. However, the piece, constructed at a price of nearly $10 million, frequently broke down, and a new production designer was hired for restaging in Chicago. Nothing of the original Atlanta set design remained in the new production.

[edit] Musical numbers

Act I

* Every Story Is a Love Story - Amneris
* Fortune Favors the Brave - Radames and the Soldiers
* The Past Is Another Land - Aida
* Another Pyramid - Zoser and the Ministers
* How I Know You - Mereb and Aida
* My Strongest Suit - Amneris and the Women of the Palace
* Fortune Favors the Brave (Reprise) - Radames
* Enchantment Passing Through - Radames and Aida
* My Strongest Suit (Reprise) - Amneris and Aida
* Dance of the Robe - Aida, Nehebka and the Nubians
* Not Me - Radames, Mereb, Aida, and Amneris
* Elaborate Lives - Radames and Aida
* The Gods Love Nubia - Aida, Nehebka, and the Nubians



Act II

* A Step Too Far - Amneris, Radames, and Aida
* Easy as Life - Aida
* Like Father, Like Son - Zoser, Radames, and the Ministers
* Radames' Letter - Radames
* How I Know You (Reprise) - Mereb
* Written in the Stars - Aida and Radames
* I Know the Truth - Amneris
* Elaborate Lives (Reprise) - Aida and Radames
* Enchantment Passing Through (Reprise) - Radames and Aida
* Every Story Is a Love Story (Reprise) - Amneris

Notes on the music:

Elton John's music for Aida is stylistically eclectic. "Another Pyramid" is a modern reggae number; "My Strongest Suit" draws heavily on Motown, "The Gods Love Nubia" draws on gospel. There are numbers, e.g., "Not Me," "Elaborate Lives," "A Step Too Far," "Written in the Stars," that reflect Elton John's pop style. There is also a strong influence of African music. These styles are used without much attention to historical authenticity, rather, there is a mix of African (mostly west African), Indian and Middle Eastern influences. Probably the nearest stylistic parallel to the work as a whole is Elton John's The Lion King, another musical with strong ethnic elements.

[edit] Recordings

A number of recordings are available for Aida:

1. Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida: Original Broadway Cast Recording was released in 2000, and is a conventional cast recording that includes all twenty-one musical numbers from the Broadway incarnation of the show.
2. Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida, sometimes known as the "Concept Album", was released in 1999 in advance of the theatrical production, and features Elton performing the music along with a number of pop stars.
3. Several foreign language recordings: Dutch, German, Hungarian, Japanese

[edit] Awards and nominations

Tony Awards

* Best Original Musical Score (Elton John, Tim Rice) (winner)
* Best Actress in a Musical (Heather Headley) (winner)
* Best Scenic Design (Bob Crowley) (winner)
* Best Lighting Design (Natasha Katz) (winner)
* Best Costume Design Bob Crowley (nominee)

Drama Desk Award

* Outstanding Actress in a Musical (Heather Headley) (winner)

Grammy Awards

* Elton John and Tim Rice's AIDA: Original Broadway Cast Recording Elton John, Tim Rice, Best Musical Show Album (winner)

[edit] Live Action and Animated Films

Animated Film:

Disney bought the rights to "Aida", the children's storybook version of Giuseppe Verdi's opera that Leontyne Price wrote in 1990 for an animated feature. The book featured stunning illustrations by Leo & Diane Dillon. Development on the animated film was shelved and became the source material for the Broadway version.

Live Action Film:

Disney is planning a major motion picture adaptation release in 2010. According to Jim Hill Media, Beyoncé Knowles is in talks with Walt Disney Studios to star in the title role of the film adaption of Aida alongside Christina Aguilera as Amneris.[1]

[edit] International productions

There have been productions of Aida in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Netherlands, Uruguay, Australia, Philippines, Mexico, Croatia, Peru, Argentina, Estonia, Canada, Hungary, Brazil, Sweden and Israel.

It has been translated into 13 languages: German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Dutch, Spanish, Estonian, French, Hungarian, Croatian, Portuguese, Swedish and Hebrew.

[edit] Amateur productions

Aida has recently become popular among school and community theaters. Licensing of these amateur productions of Aida is through Music Theatre International.

[edit] References

1. ^ Beyoncé to Star in Aida Adaptation?. Coming Soon Media (July 7, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-07-15.

[edit] External links

* Disney Theatrical: Aida
* Aida (musical) at the Internet Broadway Database
* StageAgent: Aida Plot Summary and Character Descriptions
* 2006 Non-Equity Tour
* Production: Aida - Working in the Theatre Seminar video at American Theatre Wing.org, April 2000
* Complete Libretto of Aida
* Written in the Stars - Aida

The PSP Slim & Lite (the name it is packaged as in the PAL territories)[2][3] is a handheld game console released and manufactured by Sony Computer Entertainment. At E3 2007, Sony released information about a slimmer and lighter version of the PlayStation Portable.[4] The new PSP is 33% lighter (reduced to 189 grams [6.66 ounces] from 280 grams [9.87 ounces]) and 19% slimmer than the original PSP system.[4] The model numbers have changed to PSP-2000, following the previous region-based numbering scheme (cf. the PSP-1000 numbering scheme of the "old" PSP model).

It was released on September 5, 2007 in Europe, on September 6, 2007 in North America, September 7, 2007 in South Korea and September 12, 2007 in Australia.
Contents
[hide]

* 1 Features and changes
o 1.1 Dimensions and weight
o 1.2 Hardware improvements
o 1.3 Battery
o 1.4 External appearance, inputs and outputs
* 2 Pricing
* 3 Retail configurations
* 4 Release dates
* 5 TV output and accessory port
* 6 Homebrew
* 7 References
* 8 External links
o 8.1 Official websites
o 8.2 Other links

[edit] Features and changes

[edit] Dimensions and weight

The PSP Slim & Lite offers a 19% slimmer and 33% lighter system than the original PSP system.[4] Internal changes to achieve this include the removal of a metal chassis (used to reduce damage in the event of sudden trauma to the system resulting from the user dropping the system on a hard surface), improved WLAN modules and Micro-controller, and a thinner and much brighter LCD.[5]

[edit] Hardware improvements

Although dubbed "PSP Slim and Lite", the PSP-2000 offers several other tweaks and improvements from the older generation. To target the original PSP generation's poor load times for UMD games,[6] the internal memory (RAM and Flash ROM) was doubled from 32 MB to 64 MB, which also improved the web browser's performance.[7]

[edit] Battery

To make the PSP slimmer, the capacity of the battery was reduced by 1/3. Due to more efficient power usage, the runtime of the PSP is still the same as the older model. Older model batteries will still work with the PSP Slim & Lite which extends the amount of playing time on the PSP Slim & Lite. However, the battery cover on the newer model does not fit over the older battery due to its bulkier size. The batteries take about one and a half hours to charge and last roughly 4.5–7 hours depending on factors such as screen brightness settings and volume levels.[8]
The PSP Slim & Lite comes pre-installed with the "Cookies" theme, which includes additional backgrounds.
The PSP Slim & Lite comes pre-installed with the "Cookies" theme, which includes additional backgrounds.[9]
PSP Slim Memory Stick PRO Duo Slot
PSP Slim Memory Stick PRO Duo Slot

In mid-December 2007, Sony released the PSP Extended Life Battery Kit, which includes a 2200 MAh battery with a battery cover that fits over the bulkier battery included;[10] currently only available in North America.[citation needed] The kit comes with two new battery covers, one black and one silver. In March 2008 the Extended Battery Kit was released in Japan. However, unlike North America the batteries are sold individually with one specific cover. There are three separate kits, one with the black cover, one with the silver cover and one with the white cover. This means that North American Star Wars PSP owners, who were short changed with the American kit only coming with black and silver colours, can now get the Extended Battery Kit with colour matching cover by importing the White Extended battery kit over the internet. This would also resolve some users discontent with the Darth Vader silk screen, since the Japanese white kit comes with a plain white cover.

[edit] External appearance, inputs and outputs

The PSP Slim & Lite has a new gloss finish. The serial port was also modified in order to accommodate a new video-out feature (while rendering older PSP remote controls incompatible). PSP games will only output to external monitors or TVs in progressive scan mode, so televisions incapable of supporting progressive scan will not display PSP games. Non-game video outputs fine in either progressive or interlaced mode. USB charging was made possible (the PSP will only charge while it is in "USB mode". You cannot charge via USB when playing a game). However, there are unofficial USB charge plugin downloads for charging the PSP with a USB without the need for being in USB mode. The D-Pad was raised in response to complaints of poor performance[11][12], while buttons offer improved responsiveness, confirmed in the GameSpot "hands-on" review: "several GameSpot editors have noticed that the d-pad and buttons on the new PSP provide a little more tactile feedback for a better overall feel."[13].

A new simpler and more compact UMD loading tray design was developed, in which the tray swivels out instead of opening up completely. while the Wi-Fi switch was moved to the top of the console and the Memory Stick slot moved to the upper left. The speakers were repositioned on the front of the PSP near the top of the screen. The archaic infra-red port was also removed because it offered no use to the original PSP generation other than in homebrew applications. The analog stick was also redesigned to be more flexible and is not removable without opening the PSP.

A "1Seg" TV tuner (model PSP-S310) peripheral, designed specifically for the PSP Slim & Lite model, was released in Japan on September 20, 2007.[14]

[edit] Pricing

The announced price is set at $169.99 for the Core Pack and $199.99 for the newer PSP entertainment packages. The original version of the PSP is also set to be priced at $169.99, until they are sold out, although some stores may lower the price as a clearout sale to try and sell their PSP systems more rapidly. The PSP Slim will sell for $169.99, and the two special limited edition ones cost $199.99. The Final Fantasy VII 10th Anniversary edition, limited to 77,777 units,[citation needed] is currently on sale in Japan and online stores for US$399.90. In New Zealand the PSP Slim retails for a price of NZ$285.95. In Australia the PSP Slim retails for $269. In South Africa the PSP Slim retails for a price of R1999.99. In Europe, the PSP Slim will sell for €169.[15] In Singapore, the PSP Slim retails for S$280 and in Malaysia,the PSP Slim retails for RM750. In Poland, the PSP Slim retails for 669zl(PLN). In India, the PSP Slim and Lite retails for Indian Rupee 8,999. In Saudi Arabia, the PSP Slim and Lite retails for SR749. In the Philippines, the suggested retail price is PHP8,000 and over.

[edit] Retail configurations

In North America, the Ice Silver Daxter Entertainment Pack comes in an entertainment packet including the game Daxter, a 1 GB Memory Stick, and the UMD movie, Family Guy Freakin' Sweet Collection. About one month later, Sony released a special Ceramic White Star Wars edition PSP which has a silkscreen picture of Darth Vader on the battery cover. It also comes with the game Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron. Both the Ice Silver and Ceramic White PSPs are priced at $199.99. Sony released the colors Rose Pink, Lavender Purple, and Felicia Blue in Japan at launch. A special "FINAL FANTASY VII 10th Anniversary" Edition was released for Japan only and, as mentioned above, was limited to 77,777 units.[16] The package includes a silver color unit with Final Fantasy pictures at the back, and an original Final Fantasy Buster Sword shape strap (some shops will also provide a special earphone for pre-orders).[17][18]Australia will be getting a Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core Bundle similar to Japan's but it will not include the Buster Sword strap and the PSP will not have a unique number on it.

Europe will receive black, pink, and silver models, as well as the two special limited edition colors available as a bundle: Simpsons-themed yellow bundle and the red and black Spider-Man bundle. In the UK, the Slim & Lite comes in Piano Black and Ceramic White (released on October 26, 2007) colours, both retailing at £129.99.

North America will receive a 'deep red' model with Kratos, from the God of War series, silkscreened on the battery cover. The bundle also comes with the movie, Superbad, on UMD, the God of War: Chains of Olympus game, and a voucher to download Syphon Filter: Combat Ops. This bundle is set to arrive in June of 2008, for a retail price of $199.99. North America is also supposed to receive a Metallic Blue PSP that bundles with Madden NFL 2009, a Football Related UMD and a 1GB Memory Stick. It has been given the standard PSP bundle retail price of $199.99

[edit] Release dates

The PSP Slim & Lite was released in Hong Kong on August 30, 2007. In North America the Ice Silver Daxter Pack was released on September 5, 2007. In Australia, the PSP Slim was released on September 12, 2007, with New Zealand following 2 days later. The Piano Black Core Pack was released on October 5, 2007, and the Star Wars Ceramic White on October 4, 2007.[19] For the Japanese market, a special "FINAL FANTASY VII 10th Anniversary" edition was released on September 13, 2007, bundled with the release of the game Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, limited in quantities to 77,777 units. The normal edition was released on September 20, 2007 in Japan. In September 2007, SCEE announced 2 more Slim PSP editions, a Simpsons PSP, and a Spider-Man PSP. Both come with their movie games, and the Spider-Man pack comes with Spider-Man 3 movie UMD. The PSP Slim & Lite was also released in Malaysia and Singapore on October 10, 2007. A "Deep Red" PSP was released in Japan on December 13, 2007.[20]

Release dates are as follow:

* Japan
o Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core "Ice Silver with engrave" Limited Edition - September 12, 2007
o All Colours (Piano Black, Ceramic White, Ice Silver, Felicia Blue, Lavender Purple, Rose Pink) - September 20, 2007
o Deep Red - December 13, 2007
o Star Ocean "Felicia Blue with engrave" Limited Edition Bundle - December 27, 2007
o Gundam Limited Edition "same as European Spiderman edition with engrave" - February 7, 2008
o Mint Green - February 28, 2008
o Monster Hunter Portable "Gold PSP Slim with silkscreen and bundled with UMD case, matching pouch and matching strap" - March 27
o Matte Bronze/Gold. April 2008
* North America
o Daxter Ice Silver Bundle - September 5, 2007
o Piano Black Core - October 5, 2007
o Star Wars Ceramic White Bundle with "Darth Vader" "silkscreen" on back - October 9, 2007
o God of War Deep Red Bundle with engraving - June 2008 [21]
o Madden NFL 09 Metallic Blue Entertainment Pack - August 12 2008 [22]
* Australia
o 2 Colours - Ceramic White/Piano Black - September 12, 2007
o Simpsons - November 16, 2007
o God of War (Ice Silver, bundled with God of War) - March 27, 2008
o Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core (Ice Silver and Crisis Core Game) - June 19, 2008
* United Kingdom
o Piano Black - October 26, 2007
o Ceramic White - October 26, 2007
* South Africa - September 24, 2007
* Europe
o Piano Black - September 5, 2007
o Ice Silver - September 5, 2007
o Spider-Man "Red Glossy/Black Matte surface with black buttons" - November 11, 2007
o The Simpsons "Yellow/White PSP with blue font" - November 15, 2007
* Korea - September 7, 2007
* Hong Kong - 3 Colours (Piano Black, Ceramic White, Ice Silver) - August 30, 2007
* Malaysia - October 10, 2007
* Singapore - October 10, 2007

[edit] TV output and accessory port

Sony has added a TV output for the PSP Slim available through Firmware 3.60. The PSP can output in a conventional aspect ratio (4:3), and widescreen (16:9). It also offers a screensaver if the PSP is inactive for a set amount of time. It is able to output games, videos, and other media. To achieve TV output on the Slim model, Composite, S-Video, Component and D-Terminal cables are sold separately by Sony. Games are output as a progressive scan signal, which can only be carried by the component video and D-Terminal cables, and can only be displayed on a television which supports progressive scan. The maximum resolution through TV output is 720x480 pixels, and composite video uses NTSC color encoding (no PAL composite signal is available, although it works on a NTSC compatible TV in Europe). The old Playstation Portable (PSP-1000) is not capable of this feature due to a slightly different port. As a result, original PSP accessories (using the connector) will not work with the Slim and the Slim's accessories will not work with the original PSP. Sony has released a new version of the remote control accessory designed for the Slim as a result.

Sony confirmed their GPS Accessory for the United States at Sony CES 2008. The GPS is to be retailed for the new Slim PSP models. It will feature maps on a UMD, and offer driving directions and city guides.

[edit] Homebrew

Main article: PlayStation Portable homebrew

Previous downgraders, homebrew enablers, and other exploits were originally unable to run on the PSP Slim & Lite (which initially shipped with firmware version 3.60).[23] Initial tests found out that "Pandora's Battery" exploit was compatible with the new PSPs, however the original IPL (stored on the memory stick), based on the 1.50 kernel, did not work.[24] Eventually the M33 team was able to release custom firmware, and a revised "Pandora's Battery" that was compatible with the new PSP Slim & Lites. A "universal" PSP modifier program was released, titled "Despertar del Cementerio" (Awaken from the Cemetery). The Undiluted Platinum modchip no longer works, due to the new motherboard layout and IPL signature. The latest version of M33 custom-firmware, takes the user to 3.90 M33, but the 1.50 kernel install needs to be done manually. The PSP Slim cannot use 1.50 kernel due to its motherboard being significantly different to those of previous PSP models, however M33 developers have successfully gotten 1.50 to run on the Slim, however still very unstable. There is a new revision of the PSP Slim motherboard, dubbed TA-085 v2, as opposed to TA-085. The newer motherboard revision only seems to have taken away the ability to create a Pandora battery, because it doesn't allow for battery EEPROM flashing. No other abilities have yet been discovered. It is unclear at this time, but the new motherboard revision began shipping with either firmware 3.72 or 3.73, as opposed to 3.60 of the original slim PSP version. There is a way of determining the motherboard version from the box by the location of the serial number. This only applies to North American units. If the serial number is on the bottom of the box, it would be the TA-085 motherboard. If the number is on the back of the box, it may be the newer TA-085 v2 motherboard.

Another revision of the motherboard has been identified as the TA-088. The same disabilities apply as with the TA-085v2. No other revisions have been reported.

[edit] References

1. ^ Platinum Titles. Capcom (2008-05-22). Retrieved on 2008-05-22.
2. ^ PSP, PlayStation Portable News Articles: - Small talk
3. ^ http://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2007/08/08/h-103_76465_4807.jpg.jpg
4. ^ a b c PSP, PlayStation Portable News Articles: - Get the skinny!
5. ^ [New PSP Tear-down] Metal Chassis Omitted to Reduce Weight [Part 1] - Tech-On!
6. ^ Under the Hood: PSP Load Times - Features at GameSpot
7. ^ Brian Lam (2007-07-11). New PSP Slim Coming September, Kinda Looks the Same. Retrieved on 2007-10-16.
8. ^ PlayStation Portable Safety and Support Manual
9. ^ http://www.us.playstation.com/psp/downloads/systemupdate/PSP 370 update.html#custom theme
10. ^ PlayStation.Blog » New PSP Battery and Covers Coming Soon
11. ^ IGN: Capcom Fixes PSP Pad
12. ^ Hands on with PSP Slim. pocketgamer.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
13. ^ E3 07: Redesigned Sony PSP Hands-On. GameSpot.com. Retrieved on 2007-07-22.
14. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2007-07-17). ""Slimmer and Lighter" New PSP (PlayStationPortable) Comes In Six Color Variations To The Japanese Market". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-09-22.
15. ^ Luke Plunkett (2007-08-22). PSP Slim's Release Date, Price And New Bundles/Colours For Europe. Retrieved on 2007-10-18.
16. ^ Buy PSP PlayStation Portable Slim & Lite - Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Bundle - Order Now!
17. ^ Sony's new PSP is slimmer, includes video output - Engadget
18. ^ Breaking: New PSP Slim Coming September, Kinda Looks the Same
19. ^ PSP Slim Hands on. ubergizmo.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-22.
20. ^ Japan to receive "Deep Red" PSP with optional TV tuner. Ars Technica (2007-11-06). Retrieved on 2007-11-12.
21. ^ PlayStation.Blog » Destination PlayStation News: MGS PS3 Bundle, Kratos PSP and DualShock3 Release Date
22. ^ PlayStation.Blog » Coming this fall: Madden NFL 09 PSP Entertainment Pack
23. ^ Article Detail - PlayStation Portable News - PSP Updates
24. ^ MAXCONSOLE - Playstation Portable - Rumor: Pandora's Battery currently incompatible with PSP Slim, flashing lights give hope

[edit] External links

[edit] Official websites
Sony PlayStation Portal

* Official PlayStation Portable website (Europe)
* Official PlayStation Portable website (North America)
* Official PlayStation Portable website (Aus/NZ)
* SCEA PSP Specifications press release
* SCEA PSP New Designed Press Release

[edit] Other links

* Old PSP with new PSP Slim & Lite comparison pictures
* PlayStation Portable Slim and Lite at the Open Directory Project
* Paul Rubens. "Three Hacker Teams Unlock the PSP", BBC News Online, BBC, 2007-02-26. Retrieved on 2007-03-20.

The Xbox 360 was released on November 22, 2005 in the US. The price point for the Core system was $299.99 and for the Premium system $399.99. Systems were in short supply from Microsoft at release due to production being rushed or as reported from some journalist friends, the units were being sent back from industry professionals as being faulty. The Xbox 360 system was backwards compatible with many of the original Xbox games, it has Xbox Live support, and has interchangable faceplates for some customization.

Xbox 360 features 3 processing units that have been clocked at 3.2 GHz each, a 500Mhz ATI graphics processor and 512 MB of RAM. All games for the system have been required to be written in 720p and 1080i and in a 16:9 viewing ratio. For connectability, a ethernet connection is still required for online play. Microsoft included LAN support, so multiple Xbox 360's can connect together for multiplayer fun! The 360 controllers feature vibration feedback and the wireless controllers come with cords so you can wire-up to the console and recharge the battery while playing.

The Core system with the price tag of $299.99 came with the console, a wired controller, a composite AV cable and Xbox Live Silver and Microsoft Marketplace with a one month free trial of Xbox Live Gold. Without a harddrive or memory card, this created a variety of issues. You couldn't hook up to Xbox Live, you couldn't play original Xbox games

The Premium system has a price tag of $399.99 and came with the console, a wireless controller, a 20Gb harddrive, Xbox Live headset, ethernet cable, a component HD AV cable and Xbox Live Silver and Microsoft Marketplace with a one month free trial of Xbox Live Gold.

Microsoft Marketplace allows users to try out demos of games, trailers, game downloads and user-created content. Xbox Gold is required for online multiplayer games, but not usually those you would pay an external fee for. Xbox Live Silver allows you to make a profile, get updates, shop for content, send messages and a few other basic things. XLS is also the only form of Xbox Live required to play Final Fantasy XI.

Both systems were able to hook up to a variety of USB devices including MP3 players, Windows-based PCs, and digital cameras. Besides that, they could play DVDs and music CDs right out of the box and had settings for parental control.

The Playstation 3 was released in the US on November 17, 2006 with a price of $599.99 USD for the 60GB Hard Drive and $499.99 for the 20GB Hard Drive. In Japan it was released on November 11, 2006. Within the box of a 60GB premium model, the user would find a Playstation 3 60GB version system, wireless controller, AC power cord, AV Cable, Ethernet cable, USB cable, instructions, and a Blu-Ray version of the movie Talladega Nights. Talladega Nights had not yet been released when the system came out, so this was a little comfort to those who were able to secure a system at launch.

Release day games include Need for Speed: Carbon, Untold Legends: Dark Kingdom, Call of Duty 3, Madden NFL 2007, Resistance: The Fall of Man, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007, Genji Days of the Blade, Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire, NBA 2007, NBA 2K7, NHL 2K7, Ridge Racer 7, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, and Tony Hawk's Project 8.

At release it was estimated 100,000 units would be available in Japan and 400,000 released in the US. However, a scant week before the system was released in the US Sony cut the number of launch systems to 150,000 within the US. This caused some tough competition for those who were not lucky enough to preorder it in the few places that dared to place reserves on systems. Across the country there were dozens of stories about stores being broken into, people being robbed, stabbed, or shot. Prices on eBay skyrocketed, reaching $12,000 USD. Personally I find this hard to believe, many of the users that were causing these prices to appear so high were low or no feedback bidders who, upon checking the auction again later, had been NARU'ed. A day after the system's release, prices were down to some semblance of normalcy, only fetching about twice the retail price.

Once again, like the Playstation 2, the Playstation 3 was toted as a movie player in addition to a game system. This time the emphasis was on Sony's Blu-Ray technology which they hope becomes the next standard in movie media.

Although backwards compatible, there are supposedly 8,000 games that will not work on the Playstation 3, due to sound, texture, loading, etc. difficulties.

Bye Bye Birdie is a musical with a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse.

Originally titled Let's Go Steady, the satire on American society is set in 1958. The name "Conrad Birdie" is a play on the name Conway Twitty, a popular singer at the time, and the character is also based on Elvis Presley, whose draft into the army shortly before the musical was written inspired a plot element. The original Broadway production was a Tony Award-winning success, and revivals followed. The show also became a popular choice for high school and college productions. It spawned a 1981 sequel, Bring Back Birdie, starring Chita Rivera.

Contents
[hide]

* 1 Productions
* 2 Synopsis
o 2.1 Act One
o 2.2 Act Two
* 3 Film and television adaptations
* 4 Roles and original Broadway cast
* 5 Song list
* 6 Cast and other recordings
* 7 Awards and nominations
* 8 Cultural references
* 9 References
* 10 External links

[edit] Productions

Produced by Edward Padula and directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, the Broadway production opened on April 14, 1960 at the Martin Beck Theatre, transferring to the 54th Street Theatre and then the Shubert to complete its 607-performance run. The original cast included Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera, Dick Gautier, Susan Watson, Paul Lynde, Kay Medford and Charles Nelson Reilly. Replacements later in the run included Gene Rayburn as Albert and Gretchen Wyler as Rosie.

Rivera reprised her role as Rosie opposite Peter Marshall as Albert and Marty Wilde as Conrad in the 1962 West End production, which ran for 268 performances. She also starred in an ill-fated 1981 sequel entitled Bring Back Birdie, which closed after four performances. Charles Nelson Reilly also understudied for Lynde and Van Dyke and appeared in their roles periodically throughout the play's original run.

Among those who have appeared in various productions of Bye Bye Birdie are Tommy Tune, Steve Zahn, Doris Roberts, Rue McClanahan, Gary Sandy, Randy Jones, Marc Kudisch, Rachel Bilson, Ann-Margret, Bobby Rydell, Jason Alexander, Vanessa L. Williams, Chynna Phillips, George Wendt, Gene Rayburn, and Tyne Daly.

[edit] Synopsis

[edit] Act One

Agent and songwriter Albert Peterson finds himself in trouble when hip-thrusting rock and roll superstar Conrad Birdie, from Allentown, Pennsylvania, is drafted into the army. Albert's secretary and sweetheart Rose Alvarez comes up with a last-ditch publicity stunt to premiere one last hit Conrad Birdie record before he is sent to the army. She makes Albert promise to give up the music business and become "An English Teacher". They plan to have Conrad sing Albert's new song "One Last Kiss" and give one lucky girl from his fan club a real "one last kiss" on The Ed Sullivan Show before heading off to basic training.

The lucky girl chosen randomly from Conrad's national fan club is fifteen-year-old Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio. All the teenagers in Sweet Apple are catching up on the latest gossip in "The Telephone Hour": Kim MacAfee and Hugo Peabody just got pinned! Kim, excited to have a steady boyfriend, rhapsodizes, "How Lovely to be a Woman". Conrad, Albert and Rosie set off to Sweet Apple to prepare for the event. The teenage girls are ecstatic to meet Conrad, but one young girl is sad that by the time Conrad gets out of the army, she'll be to old for him. Albert advises her to "Put on a Happy Face". Reporters arrive in Sweet Apple, and Albert, Rosie, and the teenagers tell them that Conrad is "A Healthy, Normal, American Boy". Hugo worries that Kim likes Conrad more than she likes him, but Kim assures Hugo that he's the "One Boy" for her. Conrad shocks the town parents and drives the teenage girls crazy with his performance of "Honestly Sincere".

Kim's father, Mr. MacAfee, does not want Kim to kiss Conrad until Albert tells him their whole family will be on The Ed Sullivan Show. Mr. MacAfee, Mrs. MacAfee, Kim, and her younger brother Randolph sing Sullivan's praises in "Hymn for a Sunday Evening". Hugo becomes disastrously jealous of Conrad, and Albert's mother comes to break up Albert's relationship with Rosie. Rosie devises "One Hundred Ways" to kill Albert, and then plots a way to ruin the broadcast with Hugo. Conrad sings "One Last Kiss" on The Ed Sullivan Show, and as he leans in to kiss Kim, Hugo runs onstage and slaps him in the face. On live television, Conrad collapses, Rosie breaks up with Albert, and Albert, trying to cover for the mishaps of the evening, leads a chorus of "A Healthy, Normal, American Boy".

[edit] Act Two

Despite plans to refilm the broadcast, Rosie and Kim resolve to leave Albert and Hugo, each asking herself, "What Did I Ever See in Him?" Conrad himself becomes tired of show business and tries to teach the kids how to party, and they declare they've got "A Lot of Livin' to Do". Conrad, Kim, and all the teenagers except Hugo head for the Ice House to party. When Mr. MacAfee finds out Kim has run away, he and Mrs. MacAfee lament how disobedient "Kids" are today. Rosie ends up at Maude's Roadside Retreat, but Albert calls her on the telephone and begs her, "Baby Talk To Me". Rosie, hoping to forget Albert, interrupts a Shriners meeting being held in Maude's private dining room. She flirts with all the shriners, and they begin a wild dance. Hugo and Albert rescue Rosie from the crazed shriners, and Albert stands up to his mother. Hugo tells the MacAfees and the other parents that the teenagers have all gone to the Ice House, and they all declare that they don't know what's wrong with their "Kids" (Reprise). Randolph joins in, stating that his older sister and the other teens are "ridiculous and so immature".

The adults and the police arrive at the Ice House and apprehend Conrad. Kim, intimidated by Conrad, gladly returns to Hugo. Rosie tells Albert's mother she's going to marry Albert, even though she's "Spanish Rose". Albert arranges for Conrad to sneak out of town the next morning on the train dressed as a middle-aged woman. He tricks Conrad and his mother into leaving Sweet Apple bound for home on the same train, and then tells Rosie that they're going to Pumpkin Falls, Iowa. It seems they're in need of an English teacher, and they prefer the applicant to be married. Albert professes his love for her in "Rosie", and they go off together.

[edit] Film and television adaptations

Main article: Bye Bye Birdie (film)

Bye Bye Birdie was first adapted to film in 1963. It starred Dick Van Dyke as Albert Peterson, Maureen Stapleton as Mama Mae Peterson, Janet Leigh as Rosie, Paul Lynde as Mr. MacAfee, Bobby Rydell as Hugo Peabody, and Ann-Margret as Kim MacAfee. Jesse Pearson played the role of teen idol Conrad Birdie. Ed Sullivan makes a substantial guest appearance. The film is credited with making Ann-Margret a superstar during the mid-1960s, leading to her appearing with the real Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas. The film ranked number 38 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 Best High School Movies.[1]

Several significant changes were made in the plot and character relationships in the film version. Albert is not Birdie's agent but a talented research chemist who is struggling as a songwriter only to please his overbearing mother. He contributed to Birdie's initial success, and therefore Birdie "owes" him a favor. The film version also ends on a much brighter and lighter note. Hugo prevents the "last kiss" by running out on stage, punching Conrad, and knocking him out with a single punch "live" on The Ed Sullivan Show. In doing so he wins Kim's heart, and the young couple is reunited. Albert's mother shows up with a man in tow, informs Albert and Rosie that she has married him, and gives Albert and Rosie her blessing for their long-postponed wedding. The film then ends with Ann-Margret singing a slightly revised version of the title song: "Bye bye, Birdie, the Army's got you now..."

A new adaptation was made for television in 1995. It starred Jason Alexander of Seinfeld in the role of Albert and Vanessa L. Williams as Rosie. Tyne Daly played Albert's mother Mae Peterson. Broadway actor Marc Kudisch, who played Conrad Birdie on tour opposite Tommy Tune, reprised the role. 1980s pop music sensation Chynna Phillips played Kim MacAfee, and George Wendt played her father Harry. While this version remained mostly true to the original play, several songs were added, including "Let's Settle Down," "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore," and "A Giant Step."

[edit] Roles and original Broadway cast

* Albert Peterson – Dick Van Dyke
* Rosie Alvarez – Chita Rivera
* Conrad Birdie – Dick Gautier
* Kim MacAfee – Susan Watson
* Mr. MacAfee – Paul Lynde
* Mrs. MacAfee – Marijane Maricle
* Mrs. Peterson, Albert's mother – Kay Medford
* Hugo Peabody – Michael J. Pollard
* Ursula Merkle – Barbara Doherty
* Mr. Henkel – Charles Nelson Reilly
* Sad Girl – Jasnick Williams

[edit] Song list

Act I

* Overture
* An English Teacher
* The Telephone Hour
* How Lovely To Be A Woman
* Put On A Happy Face
* A Healthy, Normal, American Boy
* One Boy
* Honestly Sincere
* Hymn For A Sunday Evening
* One Hundred Ways Ballet (dance only)
* One Last Kiss



Act II

* Entr'acte
* What Did I Ever See In Him?
* A Lot Of Livin' To Do
* Kids
* Baby, Talk To Me
* Shriner's Ballet (dance only)
* Kids (Reprise)
* Spanish Rose
* Rosie
* Finale

[edit] Cast and other recordings

* Original Broadway Cast on Columbia Masterworks (1960)
* Original London Cast on Decca Records (1961)
* Bye Bye Birdie: All the Great Songs Recorded by Bobby Rydell on Cameo Records (1962)
* Studio Cast Recording featuring James Darren, Shelley Fabares, Paul Peterson, and the Marcels on Colpix Records (1963)
* Film Soundtrack on RCA Records (1964)
* Television Soundtrack on RCA Records (1995)

[edit] Awards and nominations

* Tony Award for Best Musical (winner)
* Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Van Dyke, winner; Gautier, nominee)
* Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Rivera, nominee)
* Tony Award for Best Scenic Design for a Musical (nominee)
* Tony Award for Best Choreography (winner)
* Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical (winner)
* Tony Award for Best Conductor and Musical Director (nominee)

[edit] Cultural references

* In the Xena musical episode Lyre Lyre Hearts on Fire, the opening number is a parody of "The Telephone Hour".
* Bye Bye Birdie is often parodied on cartoons, including a "Telephone Hour" parody in Family Guy episode "Petarded", and a "Kids" parody in The Simpsons episode "Wild Barts Can't Be Broken".
* "Telephone Hour" was used in an episode of The Daily Show to explain the Valerie Plame Scandal.
* Put on a Happy Face has been used in various television commercials, including for Wal-Mart in the 2000s for an advertising campaign with its smiley logo and in the early 1970s for a Kool-Aid commercial featuring a very young Jimmy Osmond. However, another use for Put on a Happy Face was in the BBC television program Keeping Up Appearances. In that show's Christmas special "Sea Fever", the song is used as dance music aboard the QE2 when Hyacinth Bucket finds out that her brother-in-law Onslow won a cruise from horse racing.
* The song Put On A Happy Face was also used for a cold sore medicine commercial. Instead of "Grey Skies Are Gonna Clear Up", the jingle ran, "Cold Sores Are Gonna Clear Up..."
* Bye, Bye, Birdie was mentioned in the Disney Channel Original Series, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. In the episode, "Birdman of Boston", Mr. Moseby was furious that the hawk ruined an engagement at the Tipton Hotel Restaurant. Patrick Bristow, the waiter, starts talking about Bye Bye Birdie once Mr. Moseby says that the hawk is going away. Patrick starts rambling on about the musical, highlighting "The Telephone Hour" number.
* A parody of Bye, Bye, Birdie was done in the animated show Home Movies in the third episode of the fourth season called Bye Bye Greasy. The episode involved the main characters directing and performing in a school play named Bye Bye Greasy. The plot of the play featured a mix of other works including Grease, and Rebel Without a Cause.

finally a solution to all the money saving problems: the mini-ATM machine! even if it`s a toy,its easy to use! it even comes w/ an ATM card (remember that it was also a toy)!
i give it ten stars!

the handheld massager is the solution to all of the previous attempts of manual massaging in the past.it`s powerful vibrating motor makes it comfortably useful.i gave these two a five star rating!

March of 2005 brought the long awaited Playstation Portable (PSP) to store shelves throughout the US. Some of the release day titles include Medievil, Lumines, and Darkstalkers.

Packaged inside the box were the PSP unit, a 32MB Memory Stick, cleaning cloth, carrying case, wriststrap, battery, headphones, volume dongle, AC adapter, instructions, a game sampler, and the UMD version of the movie Spiderman 2. Later these split into a Value Pack and a System Pack. The Value Pack contained all the aforementioned items except it had dropped the sampler and movie from the list. The System Pack was just that, it only contained a system, AC adapter and the battery pack. In 2006 Sony released the "Entertainment Pack" for their PSP console. This pack contained the system, battery, AC adapter, 1GB Memorystick PRO Duo, Lords of Dogtown UMD Movie and ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin Trails.

UMD was the official software format of the PSP. Games and nearly any conceivable movie and TV collections were available as UMD, and this spelled trouble during the summer of 2006. The movie format had been considered a failure and many retailers were sending the UMD movies back to Sony en mass. In theory it was a great idea, but the price points weren't so hot at $19.99+ each when many of the DVD counterparts were going on average from $9.99-14.99.

The system boasts a 4.5 Wide TFT LCD backlit monitor, 16:9 ratio. 3D Polygon, 3D Curved Surface, and MPEG4 will all be supported. 3D Sound is supported by stereo speakers & headphone output. The I/O ports of the PSP will support USB 2.0 (connects to your PS2!) and Memory Sticks for saving game data. The PSP contains a rechargeable Li-ion battery with the optional AC and DC adapters.

bought at best buy camelback last year,this PSP is the so-called "portable version of the personal entertainment system usually found in every international airline".the only trump card sony had is the system firmware w/c enables the user to upgrade to it`s current version.
i gave the PSP handheld 5 stars

introduction:
this is the DVD all of us retrophiles wanted to get our hands on months before the live action movie comes out! originally released in japan in 1986 at the same time in the us in conjuction w/ japanese anime,transformers 2010 and season 3 of the G1 cartoon respectively,many japs belived that it was released four years later in 1990.
positive and negative factors:
1.swear words
2.prime`s death
3.ops vs megs fight similar to those found in the TV series etc...
overall:
despite this animated movie is a classic i give it an excellent rating!

many of us might remember this actual car shaider`s sidekick,annie,used to patrol the streets of tokyo in the TV tokusatsu,uchuu keiji shaider.i`ve bought this at toytown in eastwood during my first vacation in our homeland using a voucher from EC rewards.it is lime green and it is prominently seen in the roads of japan and america.
i gave it an overall rating of five stars.just remember,although the fact that mr hiroshi tsuburaya passed away back in 2001,the actress who portrayed annie owned this car.

The Nintendo Wii was released on November 20 2006 in the United States. Other release dates include Japan on December 2, 2006 and Europe on December 8, 2006. The Wii debuted in the US at $249.99 USD. Included in the box was the Wii console, Wii console stand, Wii Remote (wiimote!), Nunchuk controller adapter, sensor bar, AC Adapter, AV Cable. It also included the game Wii Sports which featured Tennis, Baseball, Golf, Bowling and Boxing.

The Wii encourages people to get up and move with their innovative controller style which can be snapped into a number of different sleeves and accessories, including UbiSoft's racing wheel. Besides the included controller, there are a variety of specialty controllers.

Games available at launch were Cars, Excite Truck, Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, Monster 4x4, Call of Duty 3, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2, Madden NFL 2007, GT Pro Series, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Rayman: Raving Rabbids, Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Trauma Surgeon: Second Opinion, Happy Feet, Red Steel and SpongeBob SquarePants: Creature From the Krusty Krab. Most were price pointed at $49.99 USD