Korean War MiG-15 Communist Jet Fighter

Korean War MiG-15 Communist Jet Fighter In the immediate wake of World War II, the Soviet Union captured a wealth of German jet engine and aeronautical research. Utilizing this, they produced their first practical jet fighter, the MiG-9, in early 1946. While capable, this aircraft lacked the top speed of the standard American jets of the day, such as the P-80 Shooting Star. Though MiG-9 was operational, Russian designers continued to have issues perfecting the German HeS-011 axial-flow jet engine. As a result, airframe designs produced by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevichs design bureau began to outpace the ability to produce engines to power them. While the Soviets struggled with developing jet engines, the British had created advanced centrifugal flow engines. In 1946, Soviet aviation minister Mikhail Khrunichev and aircraft designer Alexander Yakovlev approached Premier Joseph Stalin with the suggestion of buying several British jet engines. Though not believing that the British would part with such advanced technology, Stalin gave them permission to contact London. Much to their surprise, the new Labour government of Clement Atlee, which was friendlier towards the Soviets, agreed to the sale of several Rolls-Royce Nene engines along with a licensing agreement for overseas production. Bringing the engines to the Soviet Union, engine designer Vladimir Klimov immediately began reverse-engineering the design. The result was the Klimov RD-45. With the engine issue effectively resolved, the Council of Ministers issued decree #493-192 on April 15, 1947, calling for two prototypes for a new jet fighter. Design time was limited as the decree called for test flights in December. Due to the limited time allowed, designers at MiG elected to use the MiG-9 as a starting point. Modifying the aircraft to include swept wings and a redesigned tail, they soon produced the I-310. Possessing a clean appearance, the I-310 was capable of 650 mph and defeated the Lavochkin La-168 in trials. Re-designated the MiG-15, the first production aircraft flew December 31, 1948. Entering service in 1949, it was given the NATO reporting name Fagot. Principally intended for intercepting American bombers, such as the B-29 Superfortress, the MiG-15 was equipped with two 23 mm cannon and one 37 mm cannon. MiG-15 Operational History The first upgrade to the aircraft came in 1950, with the arrival of the MiG-15bis. While the aircraft contained numerous minor improvements, it also possessed the new Klimov VK-1 engine and external hardpoints for rockets and bombs. Widely exported, the Soviet Union provided the new aircraft to the Peoples Republic of China. First seeing combat at the end of the Chinese Civil War, the MiG-15 was flown by Soviet pilots from the 50th IAD. The aircraft scored its first kill on April 28, 1950, when one downed a Nationalist Chinese P-38 Lightning. With the outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950, the North Koreans began operations flying a variety of piston-engine fighters. These were soon swept from the sky by American jets and B-29 formations began a systematic aerial campaign against the North Koreans. With the Chinese entry into the conflict, the MiG-15 began to appear in the skies over Korea. Quickly proving superior to straight-wing American jets such as the F-80 and F-84 Thunderjet, the MiG-15 temporarily gave the Chinese the advantage in the air and ultimately forced United Nations forces to halt daylight bombing. MiG Alley The MiG-15s arrival compelled the US Air Force to begin deploying the new F-86 Sabre to Korea. Arriving on the scene, the Sabre restored balance to the air war. In comparison, the F-86 could out dive and out turn the MiG-15, but was inferior in rate of climb, ceiling, and acceleration. Though the Sabre was a more stable gun platform, the MiG-15s all-cannon armament was more effective than the American aircrafts six .50 cal. machine guns. In addition, the MiG benefited from the rugged construction typical of Russian aircraft which made it difficult to bring down. The most famous engagements involving the MiG-15 and F-86 occurred over northwestern North Korea in an area known a MiG Alley. In this area, Sabres and MiGs frequently dueled, making it the birthplace of jet vs. jet aerial combat. Throughout the conflict, many MiG-15s were covertly flown by experienced Soviet pilots. When encountering American opposition, these pilots often were evenly matched. As many of the American pilots were veterans of World War II, they tended to have the upper hand when facing MiGs flown by North Korean or Chinese pilots. Later Years Eager to inspect the MiG-15, the United States offered a bounty of $100,000 to any enemy pilot who defected with an aircraft. This offer was taken up by Lieutenant No Kum-Sok who defected on November 21, 1953. At the end of the war, the US Air Force claimed a kill ratio of around 10 to 1 for MiG-Sabre battles. Recent research has challenged this and suggested that the ratio was much lower. In the years after Korea, the MiG-15 equipped many of the Soviet Unions Warsaw Pact allies as well as numerous other countries around the world. Several MiG-15s flew with the Egyptian Air Force during the 1956 Suez Crisis, though their pilots were routinely beaten by the Israelis. The MiG-15 also saw extended service with the Peoples Republic of China under the designation J-2. These Chinese MiGs frequently skirmished with Republic of China aircraft around the Straits of Taiwan during the 1950s. Largely replaced in Soviet service by the MiG-17, the MiG-15 remained in many countries arsenals into the 1970s. Trainer versions of the aircraft continued to fly for another twenty to thirty years with some nations. MiG-15bis Specifications General Length:  33 ft. 2 in.Wingspan:  33 ft. 1 in.Height:  12 ft. 2 in.Wing Area:  221.74  sq. ft.Empty Weight:  7,900 lbs.Crew:  1 Performance Power Plant:  1 Ãâ€" Klimov VK-1 turbojetRange:  745 milesMax Speed:  668 mphCeiling:  50,850 ft. Armament 2 x NR-23 23mm cannons in lower left fuselage1 x Nudelman N-37 37 mm cannon in lower right fuselage2 x 220 lb. bombs, drop tanks, or unguided rockets on underwing hardpoints Selected Sources Warbird Alley: MiG-15Aviation History: MiG-15Military Factory: MiG-15 (Fagot)

Battle of Princeton in the American Revolution

Battle of Princeton in the American Revolution Conflict Date: The Battle of Princeton was fought January 3, 1777, during the American Revolution (1775-1783). Armies Commanders: Americans General George WashingtonBrigadier General Hugh Mercer4,500 men British Major General Lord Charles CornwallisLieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood1,200 men Background: Following his stunning Christmas 1776 victory over the Hessians at Trenton, General George Washington withdrew back across the Delaware River into Pennsylvania. On December 26, Lieutenant Colonel John Cadwaladers Pennsylvania militia re-crossed the river at Trenton and reported that the enemy was gone. Reinforced, Washington moved back into New Jersey with the bulk of his army and assumed a strong defensive position. Anticipating a swift British reaction to the Hessians defeat, Washington placed his army in a defensive line behind Assunpink Creek to the south of Trenton. Sitting atop a low string of hills, the American left was anchored on the Delaware while the right ran east. To slow any British counterattack, Washington directed Brigadier General Matthias Alexis Roche de Fermoy to take his brigade, which included a large number of riflemen, north to Five Mile Run and block the road to Princeton. At Assunpink Creek, Washington faced a crisis as the enlistments of many of his men were set to expire on December 31. By making a personal appeal and offering a ten dollar bounty, he was able to convince many to extend their service by one month. Assunpink Creek In New York, Washingtons concerns about a strong British reaction proved well-founded. Angered over the defeat at Trenton, General William Howe cancelled Major General Lord Charles Cornwallis leave and directed him to advance against the Americans with around 8,000 men. Moving southwest, Cornwallis left 1,200 men under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood at Princeton and another 1,200 men under Brigadier General Alexander Leslie at Maidenhead (Lawrenceville), before encountering the American skirmishers at Five Mile Run. As de Fermoy had become drunk and wandered away from his command, leadership of the Americans fell to Colonel Edward Hand. Forced back from Five Mile Run, Hands men made several stands and delayed the British advance through the afternoon of January 2, 1777. After conducting a fighting retreat through the streets of Trenton, they rejoined Washingtons army on the heights behind Assunpink Creek. Surveying Washingtons position, Cornwallis launched three unsuccessful attacks in an attempt to take the bridge over the creek before halting due to growing darkness. Though warned by his staff that Washington may escape in the night, Cornwallis rebuffed their concerns as he believed the Americans had no line of retreat. On the heights, Washington convened a council of war to discuss the situation and asked his officers if they should stay and fight, withdraw across the river, or make a strike against Mawhood at Princeton. Electing for the bold option of attacking Princeton, Washington ordered the armys baggage sent to Burlington and his officers to commence preparation for moving out. Washington Escapes: To pin Cornwallis in place, Washington directed that 400-500 men and two cannon remain on the Assunpink Creek line to tend campfires and make digging sounds. These men were to retire before dawn and rejoin the army. By 2:00 AM the bulk of the army was quietly in motion and moving away from Assunpink Creek. Proceeding east to Sandtown, Washington then turned northwest and advanced on Princeton via the Quaker Bridge Road. As dawn broke, the American troops were crossing Stony Brook approximately two miles from Princeton. Wishing to trap Mawhoods command in the town, Washington detached Brigadier General Hugh Mercers brigade with orders to slip west and then secure and advance up the Post Road. Unknown to Washington, Mawhood was departing Princeton for Trenton with 800 men. The Armies Collide: Marching down the Post Road, Mawhood saw Mercers men emerge from the woods and moved to attack. Mercer quickly formed his men for battle in a nearby orchard to meet the British assault. Charging the tired American troops, Mawhood was able to drive them back. In the process, Mercer became separated from his men and was quickly surrounded by the British who mistook his for Washington. Refusing an order to surrender, Mercer drew his sword and charged. In the resulting melee, he was severely beaten, run through by bayonets, and left for dead. As the battle continued, Cadwaladers men entered the fray and met a fate similar to Mercers brigade. Finally, Washington arrived on the scene, and with the support of Major General John Sullivans division stabilized the American line. Rallying his troops, Washington turned to the offensive and began pressing Mawhoods men. As more American troops arrived on the field, they began to threaten the British flanks. Seeing his position deteriorating, Mawhood ordered a bayonet charge with the goal of breaking through the American lines and allowing his men to escape towards Trenton. Surging forward, they succeeded in penetrating Washingtons position and fled down the Post Road, with American troops in pursuit. In Princeton, the majority of the remaining British troops fled towards New Brunswick, however 194 took refuge in Nassau Hall believing that the buildings thick walls would provide protection. Nearing the structure, Washington assigned Captain Alexander Hamilton to lead the assault. Opening fire with artillery, American troops charged and forced those inside to surrender ending the battle. Aftermath: Flush with victory, Washington wished to continue attacking up the chain of British outposts in New Jersey. After assessing his tired armys condition, and knowing that Cornwallis was in his rear, Washington elected instead to move north and enter winter quarters at Morristown. The victory at Princeton, coupled with the triumph at Trenton, helped bolster American spirits after a disastrous year which saw New York fall to the British. In the fighting, Washington lost 23 killed, including Mercer, and 20 wounded. British casualties were heavier and numbered 28 killed, 58 wounded, and 323 captured. Selected Sources British Battles: Battle of PrincetonBattle of Princeton

Three Ted Talks Wk 1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Three Ted Talks Wk 1 - Essay Example hin the social setting, it is not acceptable that the marketing ambitions of businesses must be made to override their social responsibilities (Shrivastava & Berger, 2010). Whiles discussing this all important topic, the two Michaels seemed to have diverging but equally practical views. For Porter, he sees businesses as being in a better position to tackling social problems. This is something that Porter believes must not be difficult to do while generating salaries and tax money. Sandel on the other hand feels that there is being enormous monetization of our culture. His fear is that once this happens then businesses can buy their ways through social problems by paying off for these. From a personal reflective perspective, it would be said that even though the monetization of our culture may generally not be a good idea, it should not be a reason to hold businesses accountable for their abilities to tackle social problems as Porter outlines. This is because as it has been indicated earlier, businesses are no longer in a marketplace that is detached from the larger society but rightly attached to the social setting in which they

Challenge is Managing the People Who Manage Knowledge Essay

Challenge is Managing the People Who Manage Knowledge - Essay Example The management should present the knowledge worker with an opportunity to collect, verify, validate and apply knowledge learned from his experiences and from the corporate records, and be able to share it with other workers. Such knowledge, when effectively disseminated in the organization, adds value to the organization or can aid in problem solving. According to McFarlane, despite the knowledge and experience a knowledge worker has, he or she needs exposure to tasks that will encourage personal growth. The management should realize that this is a need to the knowledge worker and has to be satisfied. Tasks assigned to these workers should present an opportunity for them to apply their criticality, skills, and experience. The tasks must pose a challenge to them, so that they can grow. Giving knowledge workers easy tasks will be under utilizing them and they will look for more challenging opportunities elsewhere. According to Serrat, an organization should define task objectives clear ly. In addition, the management should ensure that each worker understands the performance standards. An organization seeking to manage the knowledge workers effectively should formulate critical mission vision statements. Mission vision statements of an organization determine the mission vision statement of an individual in an organization, as well as the values an individual will display. If the mission of an organization presents great responsibility, the knowledge worker will be pushed to give his or her best and share knowledge with other workers in an effort to achieve the set goals of the organization. Setting challenging goals will push the workers to be more creative and critical and this will bring new ideas into the organization. The vision of an organization gives the knowledge worker a clear picture of the direction in which the organization should be moving. When the knowledge worker has a sense of direction, he performs better. According to Serrat, knowledge workers n eed knowledge managers. This is critical for any organization, because it requires a change in the type of managers hired. Organizations should no longer look at the ability to exercise power in a manager, but rather an ability to lead a team. A manager should have skills that enable him handles issues in his or her team effectively. A knowledge manager should be able to appreciate the talent of the team, mentor, and efficiently give feedback to the team. Knowledge workers need good working relationships with their managers. It is critical for the organization to ensure that managers provide a good working environment to the workers. Organizations should therefore do away with the traditional boss who spends time in supervision and giving orders. A knowledge manager should focus on organizational learning to ensure exemplary performance of the organization. The knowledge workers deserve space and time for them to work on their own. Constant supervision limits creativity and creativi ty. This does not mean that the management should allow them to do things their own way, but poses a challenge for the smart manager to realize when to supervise, or when to give them their space. It is not easy for an organization to quantify the amount of work done by knowledge workers, as it is n form of knowledge

Looking To The Future 1984 :: essays research papers

Looking to the Future 1984 "WAR IS PEACE FFREEDOM IS SLAVERY IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH"(Orwell 3). It is the year 1984 in London, Oceania. Winston Smith is one of many people in Orwell’s prediction of the world in the future but is today’s past. The world appears as a dark and fearful place where the only rhyme or reason is created by Big Brother, ruler of the state and the head member of the Party. All of the above phrases in the slogan show the power which is given to the Party (government). The best description lies in the Newspeak word doublethink. "Doublethink means the power of holding to contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them. The Party intellectual knows in which direction his memories must be altered; he therefore knows that he is playing tricks with reality; but by the exercise of doublethink he also satisfies himself that reality is not violated"(Orwell 190). Many descriptions similar to this are given in the book and help explain the way in which the socialist government of Oceania operates. It explains how a strong ruler can manipulate facts to fit his or her own intentions, which is often what socialist rulers may have done and still may do. Many of the ideas in 1984 were written to show predictions of what the world might be like if people did not question and act on what was happening around them. Orwell wrote 1984 after World War II when socialist governments which had gone wrong, like Russia, were becoming a powerful force in the world. Orwell, having once fought against Communist Russia, saw how much of a dangerous power they could become in the future, and in turn found it necessary to inform readers of what the future could hold. 1984 is his idea of what a country, such as England in this book, would be like if a socialist government came into power. He writes of the control that can be presented by a ruler by fear. A ruler can use fear to suppress a person’s ideas and make him or her believe what a ruler thinks or says. A good example of this is at the end when Winston has been caught and is relearning how to obey and never doubt Big Brother. "TWO AND TWO MAKE FIVE"(Orwell 247). This was used in the context that Winston would believe whatever he was told. Whether it be this mathematical equation or who Oceania was at war with, he would believe it because of the fear of torture.

Primacy of Survival in Life of Pi

The urgent crave to survive at all costs is known as the primacy of survival. Survival is essential for every animal, and there is no shortage of lengths they will go to in order to survive. Yann Martel’s Life of Pi portrays the theme of primacy of survival based on Pi’s determination and courage throughout his journey. Piscine Molitor Patel, known to all as Pi, is a Hindu boy who embarks on a journey to Canada along with his family and their zoo animals. Midway through his journey, the boat sinks in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and Pi is left stranded on a lifeboat.However, Pi is not alone on the raft; in his presence are a zebra, orangutan, hyena, and a fearsome Bengal tiger. Once he is aware of what happened, Pi understands that giving up on his life is not an option. This lust for survival is expressed by examining how all animals are naturally dangerous, how man will do cruel things in order to survive, and how all of our morals are lost when we feel threatened . Early on in Pi’s life, he is taught by his father that all animals are naturally dangerous.Pi’s father, who is the owner of a zoo in India doesn’t want Pi to be too comfortable around the animals at the zoo, since they could harm him if they feel threatened. In order to protect his son, he tells him â€Å"Life will defend itself no matter how small it is. Every animal is ferocious and dangerous. † (Martel, 41). This is crucial for Pi to understand, since he may think that some animals are harmless, meanwhile due to their natural instincts, they can be vicious if they feel threatened.However, after Pi’s father explains this to him he still isn’t convinced that Pi is fully aware of the consequences if he becomes too comfortable with the animals. Therefore he decides he needs to prove exactly how dangerous some of the animals can be. One day, he takes Pi and his brother to the big cats section of the zoo, to find a massive 550 pound female Be ngal tiger; the king of the jungle. He tells them how Mahisha, the tiger, hasn’t eaten in 2 whole days. Then, he says â€Å"I want you to remember this lesson for the rest of your lives† (Martel, 47). He then threw in a live goat into the tiger’s cage.With a sudden flash of orange and black fur, Mahisha demolished the goat with a single blow. Blood splattered everywhere, and Pi and his brother Ravi were utterly appalled by the sound of the dying goat. Pi himself is also an example of his father’s words that â€Å"Life will defend itself no matter how small it is. †( Martel, 41). Pi, a very skinny Hindu boy is faced alone with a hyena, orangutan, zebra and tiger on a lifeboat with no weapons. For the majority of his journey, he knows that death could be present at any given moment, but he still manages to protect and preserve himself.In certain situations, the primacy of survival of animals and humans alike can have an immensely powerful feeling, ur ging us to do anything in order to survive. This urge to survive can sometimes drive us to do cruel and unimaginable things. Pi experiences the cruelness of our hunger for survival when the boat Pi and his family are on begins to sink, and crew members throw Pi onto the lifeboat. Pi was thankful for them at first, since he thought being on the lifeboat would ensure his safety; however he wasn’t alone on the lifeboat.An adult hyena that was being shipped had managed to escape its cage and make refuge on the very same lifeboat as Pi! He soon realizes that the crew members didn’t throw him on the lifeboat to save his life, but rather as bait. Shocked, Pi says â€Å"They were using me as a fodder. They were hoping the hyena would attack me and that somehow I would get rid of it and make the boat safe for them. † (Martel, 121). This shows the extent to which humans will go to in order to survive, since there is ultimately nothing more drastic than human sacrifice. La ter on in Pi’s journey, he surprisingly runs into another lone survivor on another lifeboat.At this point in Pi’s journey, his body is severely dehydrated, and is beginning to deteriorate, which results in his loss of vision. The man on the other raft is blind as well, but once Pi begins to talk with him he is able to identify his accent as French. The man, much like Pi, hasn’t had food in days and is starving. Craving his own survival, the man attempts to attack and kill Pi for food. Pi is sure this is the end of his life, â€Å"I could feel him moving off the tarpaulin onto the middle bench and, fatally, bringing a foot down to the floor of the boat. ‘No, no, my brother! Don’t! We’re not-’ † (Martel, 283).Right before the man begins to attack Pi, Richard Parker; the mighty but weakened Bengal tiger on Pi’s lifeboat attacks the man and kills him. If it hadn’t been for Richard Parker, the man would have without a d oubt killed Pi and ate him in order to secure his own survival. Killing someone of the same species as you is sickening and cruel, but doing so to eat them is absolutely insane; something an animal would do. The truth is â€Å"We're animals. We're born like every other mammal and we live our whole lives around disguised animal thoughts. † (Morace, 1).Humans are essentially animals, but once separated from our race, faced with the possibility of death, we will do anything in order to survive. Not only will humans do unimaginable things in order to survive, their morals are all lost to a craving selfishness for survival. Pi experiences this first hand when the hyena on the lifeboat attacks the zebra and wounds it. He is initially horrified at this, but then he expresses how his sense of empathy was quickly overtaken in the fear of his own life: â€Å"When your own life is threatened, your sense of empathy is blunted by a terrible, selfish hunger for survival. † (Martel, 133).This is natural for humans, something that comes instinctualy to us. Later on, Pi feels remorse for the zebra, unlike how he felt in the moment. His instincts however could have saved his life, since he proceeded to hide once the hyena attacked instead of watching and mourning the zebra. Pi even knew that what happened was normal, and that it may have kept him alive. Before he set sail on the ship through the pacific, he learnt about this madness for survival, â€Å"All living things contain a measure of madness that moves them in strange, sometimes inexplicable ways. This madness can be saving; it’s part and parcel of the ability to adapt.Without it, no species would survive. † (Martel, 45). One may argue however that humans are different, that we should not turn into animals when we feel threatened. This is in fact false, since society is what holds us back: â€Å"Deprived of the zoo-like structures (society) that sustain them in their daily lives, humans retur n quite naturally to lives guided by basic instincts and animalistic impulses. † (Dominic, 143). Once Pi leaves society all together, he essentially becomes an animal like figure guided by instinct that only does things that are necessary for his survival. Because of Pi’s instincts, he is able to survive.Even though it may seem that Pi just witnesses these acts of human cruelty and loss of morals, he in fact suffers from the loss of morals and is extremely cruel himself. From as early on as he could remember in his life, Pi was a very strict vegetarian. Once he realized he was stranded on the life raft, he knew he would have to give up on his old habits, and that he would have to eat meat in order to survive. Pi quickly learns that he can’t be picky with the food he gets, and with his stomach rumbling of hunger, he proceeds to devour raw fish eyes, turtle blood and Pi even says that â€Å"I tried once to eat Richard Parkers feces.† (Martel, 237).He quickly learns that tiger feces isn’t suitable for humans to eat, and doesn’t attempt to eat it again. Even though it is entirely disgusting that he would do that, he didn’t have many more options. After these events it is said that â€Å"Pi also begins to recognize, much to his disappointment, that his own behaviours are becoming more animal-like† (Dominic, 143). Once Pi does realize that he is simply living off his instincts, he is surprisingly content with himself.However, on the verge of death, Pi does something that is questionable even in order to survive. One may wonder if there is anything worse that Pi could have done on his journey. The answer is cannibalism. After the man that Pi meets at sea is killed by Richard Parker, Pi actually eats some of the man’s raw flesh. Pi confesses that, â€Å"Driven by the extremity of my need and the madness to which it pushed me, I ate some of his flesh. † (Martel, 284). Having not eaten in nearly 12 day s, he even claims that â€Å"they slipped into my mouth nearly unnoticed. † (Martel, 284).This cruel, sickening and unacceptable act simply shows how we will do absolutely anything and everything in our power to survive. As a whole, the primacy of survival is thoroughly expressed within ample instances of Pi’s journey. What else could show the will to survive better than a teenage boy stranded alone on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Nothing, except if there perhaps was a giant Bengal tiger aboard. Well in that case Pi’s journey is the ultimate story of survival, since he faced hunger, thirst and death with the king of the jungle in his presence the entire time.Along his way, Pi learned how dangerous all animals naturally are, how humans can do such cruel things, and how our morals are lost when we are threatened. Some may speculate that what Pi did to survive is just plain wrong and unacceptable. Nevertheless Pi survived a record 227 days on the dreadful Pacific Ocean before his journey finally came to a close. From Pondicherry, India, all the way to Tomatlan, Mexico, Pi had to do many undesirable things that all point to an animal’s primacy of survival.

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