Douglas SBD Dauntless Divebomber in World War II

Douglas SBD Dauntless Divebomber in World War II The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the mainstay of the US Navys dive bomber fleet for much of World War II (1939-1945). Produced between 1940 and 1944, the aircraft was adored by its flight crews which praised its ruggedness, dive performance, maneuverability, and heavy armament. Flown from both carriers and land bases, the Slow but Deadly Dauntless played key roles at the decisive Battle of Midway and during the campaign to capture Guadalcanal. Also an excellent scout aircraft, the Dauntless remained in frontline use until 1944 when most US Navy squadrons began transitioning to the more powerful, but less popular Curtiss SB2C Helldiver.      Design Development: Following the US Navys introduction of the Northrop BT-1 dive bomber in 1938, designers at Douglas began working on an improved version of the aircraft. Using the BT-1 as a template, the Douglas team, led by designer Ed Heinemann, produced a prototype which was dubbed the XBT-2. Centered on the 1,000 hp Wright Cyclone engine, the new aircraft featured a 2,250 lb. bomb load and a speed of 255 mph. Two forward firing .30 cal. machine guns and one rear-facing .30 cal. were provided for defense.   Featuring all metal construction (except for fabric covered control surfaces), the XBT-2 utilized a low-wing cantilever configuration and included  hydraulically actuated, perforated split dive-brakes. Another change from the BT-1 saw the landing gear shift from retracting backwards to closing laterally into recessed wheel wells in the wing. Re-designated the SBD (Scout Bomber Douglas) following Douglas purchase of Northrop, the Dauntless was selected by the US Navy and Marine Corps to replace their existing dive bomber fleets. Production and Variants: In April 1939, the first orders were placed with the USMC opting for the SBD-1 and the Navy selecting the SBD-2. While similar, the SBD-2 possessed a greater fuel capacity and a slightly different armament. The first generation of Dauntlesses reached operational units in late 1940 and early 1941. As the sea services were transitioning to the SBD, the US Army placed an order for the aircraft in 1941, designating it the A-24 Banshee. In March 1941, the Navy took possession of the improved SBD-3 which featured self-sealing fuel tanks, enhanced armor protection, and an expanded array of weapons including an upgrade to two forward-firing .50 cal. machine guns in the cowling and twin .30 cal. machine guns on a flexible mount for the rear gunner. The SBD-3 also saw a switch to the more powerful Wright R-1820-52 engine. Subsequent variants included the SBD-4, with an enhanced 24-volt electrical system, and the definitive SBD-5. The most produced of all SBD types, the SBD-5 was powered by a 1,200 hp R-1820-60 engine and had a larger ammunition capacity than its predecessors. Over 2,900 SBD-5s were built, mostly at Douglas Tulsa, OK plant. A SBD-6 was designed, but it was not produced in large numbers (450 total) as Dauntless production was ended in 1944, in favor of the new Curtiss SB2C Helldiver. A total of 5,936 SBDs were built during its production run. Specifications (SBD-5) General Length: 33 ft. 1 in.Wingspan: 41 ft. 6 in.Height: 13 ft. 7 in.Wing Area: 325 sq. ft.Empty Weight: 6,404 lbs.Loaded Weight: 10,676 lbs.Crew: 2 Performance Power Plant: 1 Ãâ€" Wright R-1820-60 radial engine, 1,200 hpRange: 773 milesMax Speed: 255 mphCeiling: 25,530 ft. Armament Guns: 2 x .50 cal. machine guns (mounted in cowling), 1 x (later 2 x) flexible-mounted .30 cal. machine gun(s) in rearBombs/Rockets: 2,250 lbs. of bombs Operational History The backbone of the US Navys dive bomber fleet at the outbreak of World War II, the SBD Dauntless saw immediate action around the Pacific. Flying from American carriers, SBDs aided in sinking the Japanese carrier Shoho at the Battle of the Coral Sea (May 4-8, 1942). A month later, the Dauntless proved vital in turning the tide of the war at the Battle of Midway (June 4-7, 1942). Launching from the carriers USS Yorktown (CV-5), USS Enterprise (CV-6), and USS Hornet (CV-8), SBDs successfully attacked and sank four Japanese carriers. The aircraft next saw service during the battles for Guadalcanal. Flying from carriers and Guadalcanals Henderson Field, SBDs provided support for the Marines on the island as well as flew strike missions against the Imperial Japanese Navy.  Though slow by the standards of the day, the SBD proved a rugged aircraft and was beloved by its pilots. Due to its relatively heavy armament for a dive bomber (2 forward .50 cal. machine guns, 1-2 flex-mounted, rear-facing .30 cal. machine guns) the SBD proved surprisingly effective in dealing with Japanese fighters such as the A6M Zero. Some authors have even argued that the SBD finished the conflict with a plus score against enemy aircraft. The Dauntless last major action came in June 1944, at the Battle of Philippine Sea (June 19-20, 1944). Following the battle, most SBD squadrons were transitioned to the new SB2C Helldiver, though several US Marine Corps units continued to fly the Dauntless for the remainder of the war. Many SBD flight crews made the transition to the new SB2C Helldiver with great reluctance. Though bigger and faster than the SBD, the Helldiver was plagued by production and electrical problems that made it unpopular with its crews. Many reflected that they wanted to continue flying the Slow but Deadly Dauntless rather than the new Son of a Bitch 2nd Class Helldiver. The SBD was fully retired at the end of the war. A-24 Banshee in Army Service While the aircraft proved highly effective for the US Navy, it was less so for the US Army Air Forces. Though it saw combat over Bali, Java, and New Guinea during the early days of the war, it was not well received and squadrons suffered heavy casualties. Relegated to non-combat missions, the aircraft did not see action again until an improved version, the A-24B, entered service later in the war. The USAAFs complaints about the aircraft tended to cite its short range (by their standards) and slow speed.

Outsourcing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Outsourcing - Essay Example The location comes into it when the third party operates from beyond the borders making it off shore outsource process. The process of off shore on the other hand pertains to relatively large scale hand over of resources and other functions. There are number of salient features to this concept and these include restoring function, crisis management, economic utility, broader options and variety of field selection. The potential downsides to it include more hassle of handling the global operations, ensuring for overall safety of operations and other potential embezzlements and privacy breaches. The given concepts do bring along trends of cross cultural interaction as well. India in this regard serves as a hub towards the growing outsourced market. India’s I.T based sector is seeing a gradual expansion in this regard. Business Process Outsourcing’ (BPO) is another generic concept which pertains to the outsource practices in numerous disciplines. It entails the business engagement activities between the stakeholders. (Sharma 2004). Another understanding of BPO is making use of the modern techniques and technology for an overall better output yield. BPO stands distinctive from the generally prevailing off shore outsource process. Application Service Provider’ (ASP) is an aided tool in the entire process where BPO entails a whole set of digital system including state of the art web browsers and other online databases. Incorporating BPO against ASP brings about element of risk to the incumbent organization in authority. The outsourced entities and domains within the organizations that are subjected to the practices of outsource and off shore business ventures include the ones that are in front line of action in the organization, namely the information system based networks, the human resource aspect which brings about the cultural context, the financial handling aspect. In short the BPO enables keeping a regular check upon

POLITICS how effective is parliament in ensuring executive Essay

POLITICS how effective is parliament in ensuring executive accountability - Essay Example An accountable executive must be in a position to; meet statutory obligations and audit requirements, produce substantive evidence in court proceedings, withstand attention from and scrutiny of the media, meet set standards for accreditation and justify their actions to commissions of inquiry like parliamentary commissions and the Royal Commissions (Budge et al, 2003). Parliament is the highest representative organ of the government that individually and collectively accounts to the people. It therefore must reflect social and public concerns so as to remain legitimate and accountable in the eyes of the public. By the mandate given in the constitution, parliament has a responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability of the executive arm of the government and achieve this role by assuming oversight to all activities of the executive and all its auxiliary bodies. To do this effectively, parliament staff must be strengthened in their oversight role so as to deliver their mandat e as non partisan officials of the state. Parliament therefore uses a number of mechanisms to check on the transactions of the executive. In doing so, institutional accountability of parliament must also be maintained collectively. Since fosters of accountability must first show that they are accountable as well. This is achievable by the members of parliament developing a code of behaviour that will guide them as they pursue this mandate (Garnett et al, 2012). This essay is discusses the mechanisms put in place by parliament to hold the executive to account. It discusses these in detail, their pros and cons, and then concludes with an analysis of how effective they are in ensuring executive accountability. First among these mechanisms is the use of parliamentary select committees, then there is ministerial question time and finally there is prime minister question time. The following section discusses these measures into detail. Select Committees Parliamentary select committees are committees that can be appointed by the House of Commons or the House of Lords or Joint Committees drawn from both houses. Examples of these committees are the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, the Delegated Powers and Regulatory Reform Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights Respectively. Committees may be sessional, which means they are permanent or near permanent, or they may also be ad-hoc, meaning they are appointed just to complete a certain task and then disbanded (Garnett et al, 2012). Committees in parliament are formed to ensure transparency, efficiency and accountability of executive and as stated earlier of parliament itself. The work of committees is primarily to pore over the transactions of the executive and ensure executive transparency to the public. Constitutional Committee This committee of the House of Lords spans across all parties and has the mandate has the mandate of resisting constitutional change that will harm the interest of the people. It inve stigates a proposed amendment by engaging experts including members of the executive and the public before any amendments are made. Economic Affairs Committee The economic affairs committee is a committee of the House of Lords charged with the responsibility of scrutinizing the financial

Consumer law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Consumer law - Essay Example The White Paper policy was formulated to minimise differences in manners of purchase.1 These remedies are discussed below. Right to Reject the Goods When a consumer discovers that the goods hired or purchased from a retailer do not match the description given, or are unfit for purpose intended for, or are not of merchantable quality, they are entitled to reject them and thus terminate the contract. With the contract terminated, they will not be under an obligation to pay for the goods as previously provided by the contract. This right will not be available where the purchase or hiring is within the course of business and the defect is so insignificant that rejecting the goods would be unreasonable. This remedy is available if the defect is noticed within six years from the time of purchase2 and it is shown that the fault has not been caused by ordinary wear or tear or through misuse by the purchaser. Within the first six months, it is for the retailer to prove that the goods in quest ion were not inherently defective. After the six months the burden shifts to the consumer to prove that the goods were defective when they were sold. ... Acceptance is deemed to have taken place when the consumer expressly states that they have accepted the good, when they alter the goods or when they continue to keep the goods for a reasonable duration of time3. Courts’ decisions on what amounts to a reasonable period of time provide varied answers. In the case of Bernstein V Pamson Motors (Golders Green) Ltd4, where the consumer was held to have accepted the car by keeping it for less than four weeks after purchasing it. In contrast, in Bowes V Richardson & Son Ltd5, it was held that the consumer had the right to reject the car even after keeping it for seven months after purchase. The consumer will lose his right to complain of the faultiness of the goods if he purchased the goods more than 6 years ago. They will also not be entitled to complain where they knew the goods to have been defective at the time of sale after it was pointed out to them. Even where the defect was not pointed out to them but the consumer had them exa mined by an independent party and the defect was manifestly visible or should have been discovered from a proper examination of the goods, he will still have no legitimate right to complain about the defect. Also, they will not be entitled to complain if at the time of sale the retailer came out clean and confessed that they were unsure of the suitability of the goods for purpose. When a consumer purchases second hand goods, he still has the right to a product that is fully useable and undamaged and can return the goods if they are found not to be useable. When the consumer knowingly purchases a defective item, even though they cannot return the item on the basis of that particular defect, they can still return the item if

Physical education lesson plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Physical education lesson plan - Essay Example Teaching and Learning Materials: Ropes, Flexaform (a very wide mattress for landing where there is no sand or snow pit); Two standing posts (poles) for rope height adjustment; Tape measure; Charts showing the fields. (a) perform the warm up exercises with 100% accuracy; (b) increase their level of fitness by running while carrying their friends or something on their backs; (c) participate in lead-up games and activities to prepare them to dance Ballet; (d) master the rules of playing ballet; (e) dance ballet in response to music; (f) demonstrate cooperation by dancing uniformly with others. in preparation for a Mini Ballet dance competition. The students get into groups and positions and play the game while the teacher observes, records performance and helps those who are still having difficulties. (a) perform the warm up exercises with 100% accuracy; (b) increase their level of fitness by sprinting one lap around the field track without stopping; (c) participate in lead-up activities to prepare them for playing football; (d) dodge opponents actively; (e) pass the basket ball to others; (f) shoot the basket ball correctly; (g) and run actively all through the game. (a) perform the warm up and cool down exercises with 100% accura... Teaching and Learning Materials: Ropes, Flexaform (a very wide mattress for landing where there is no sand or snow pit); Two standing posts (poles) for rope height adjustment; Tape measure; Charts showing the fields. Presentation (Lesson Procedure) (a) Introduction (Warm up Activities) (5 minutes) > Jogging at the spot; Press ups (Push ups); Ascending and Descending Stairs orhighland whilst running; (b) Development (Main Activity) (40 minutes) Step 1: The teacher explains rules of performing long and high jumps, with simple demonstrations. Students listen, take down the points. Step 2: The teachers demonstrates how to perform long jump. Students listen, watch and later line up to practice. Step 3: The teacher demonstrates how to perform high jump. Students listen, watch and line up to practice. Step 4: The teacher sets a Long Jump mini competition in which every student participates. As they jump, he observes and takes down the lengths of the jumps for each student. He also pays close attention to the performance of those with health problems. (c) Conclusion (Cool down) (5 minutes) > Foot rotating; Waist bending and rotating; Chin ups and downs Lesson #3: Physical Education: Gymnastics: Ballet Dance. Number of Students: 20 Specific Objectives (Short Term): By the end of this lesson, students will (a) perform the warm up exercises with 100% accuracy; (b) increase their level of fitness by running while carrying their friends or something on their backs; (c) participate in lead-up games and activities to prepare them to dance Ballet; (d) master the rules of playing ballet; (e) dance

Bar built estuaries Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Bar built estuaries - Essay Example An example for this is the East Matagorda Bay. Bar-built estuaries are also found in The Netherlands. Estuaries found in North Carolina are also the examples of bar-built estuaries; for example Albemarle Sound and Pamlico Sound. Bar-built estuaries are semi-isolated from ocean waters through the barrier beaches found between estuaries and oceans. Barrier spits and barrier islands are located between estuaries and oceans. As barrier beaches get formed they partially encircle the estuary allowing only small inlets to allow contacts between estuaries and ocean waters. Bar-built estuaries usually get formed over gently sloping plains placed along tectonically stable boundaries of marginal sea coasts and continents. The barrier beaches that encircle bar-built estuaries are formed in numerous ways. Wave action causes the formation of offshore bars. Here, the sand from the seafloor gets accumulated in extended bars parallel to the shoreline. This forms barrier beaches. Reformation of sediment discharge from rivers through current, wave, and wind action causes the formation of barrier beaches. Mainland beach ridges get engulfed because of the rise in sea level. This led to the breaking of the ridges and flooding of the coastal lowlands. Shallow lagoons get formed as a result. This contributes to the formation of barrier beaches. Extension of barrier spits through the erosion of headlands also form barrier beaches. Barrier beaches get created in shallow water. They are mostly parallel to the shoreline. This leads to the formation of long narrow estuaries. Water depth of these estuaries is between 5 m and 10 m. Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, Pamlico Sound, North Carolina and Laguna Madre, Texas are some of the examples of bar-built estuaries. Scientists have made use of variety of criteria to classify estuaries. Previously they used to classify estuaries based on the rate of fresh water, evaporation.

Transfer and Studies Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Transfer and Studies - Essay Example I would be grateful to you if you would take my case on humanitarian grounds and take the necessary steps to sanction the transfer to a school at California as soon as possible. The situation that calls for a transfer is as follows. I could pursue my studies at the school in Seattle only till the third semester because I was expecting my child during that period. I finished the third semester while I was expecting the child. My family and the father of my child work and live in California. This made it difficult for me to attend the school, as I had to fly back and forth from southern California and Seattle on weekend all through my third semester. I had to take a year off from school afterward, as I gave birth to my child. As I continue to stay with my family at California, it puts me in a position to resume the pattern of flying back and forth between southern California and Seattle. This may not be an ideal situation for me and my infant. As a first generation American, I need to follow the family values in our culture that demands a situation where the child grows up among both the paternal and maternal relatives. The father of my child works at Southern California, and if I continue my studies at Seattle, it would mean that the family is separated. Moreover, the financial burden will be much heavier for us to handle, since I will have to use the flight more frequently. I am the first in my family to attend law school, and I realize the significance of my studies and am very keen on completing the course. Therefore, I would like to get a transfer to a school in California, where I can pursue my studies diligently, as it would not create any difficulty for me as a mother and a student. I hope you will try to understand my situation and necessitate a transfer as per my request. My grades were affected during the third semester when I had to travel a lot for attending the classes.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   I put before you the humble request to consider my case on humanitarian grounds, as the decision to have a child at this stage was unavoidable due to some health reasons. At the same time, I am keen on pursuing my studies in the best way poss ible and look forward to developing a good career in law. I hope you will consider this matter seriously and comprehend the good intention and dedication that prompts me to request a transfer to a school in California.