David Watkins – författare

Ever feel like the young fighter who swings, pounds and hammers his way into the ring of life. After a few rounds of hits and misses we learn to defend and protect what becomes our personality, our love, our life. Eventually we grow tired of the struggle and move from the ropes to our corner and hopefully before we are taken from the ring there is at least a faint applause. Poems like Flowers Of Freedom and Lifes Sweet Music stimulate the realization of how important you are in the circle of your acquaintance. What The Children Think and many others will touch your heart for the family and Pa Pas Table will teach that with luck we will all get old and need the love of others. My experiences, my heart and the lessons I expose in Poetic Matters Of Life may not present the world any great wisdom but perhaps my poetic ignorance will demand your consideration. And then your wisdom will be exposed by the benefit you reap.

THE PLACE HOLLOWED OUTWhen born the occupied space in the human mind is comparatively empty consideringimmediately the five human senses begin sending signals for processing and storageand suddenly memories generated by those around us and referred to us as what we are taughtbecome the decisions of behavior, that is, things we did, what we do and what we ought.A different moment for every human being but in due time we learn the process of choice.We’re convinced 1 plus 1 is 2 by the outside teacher, and acceptance is taught by an inner voice.A mind that comprehends stars hundreds of thousands of miles away but can appreciate raindrops.Calculates, speculates, contemplates but doesn’t know where a simple breeze starts or stops.So the spaces where numbers, letter arrangements, emotions and memories about love or hateprovide chemical storage in each of us and is individually controlled as we influence our fate.Chemist, electrician, doctors, surgeons, undeniably the choices can make us weep or sing.Filling that place hollowed out in our mind with what we choose and whatever our life brings.Only a few will read what was intended to mean so much to so many but you may simple reject it.Go ahead read the political, the humor, the love, but don’t be surprised if it touches your spirit.The heart disclosed in this writing contains information for that place hollowed out in every mind.It may be only one simple inspiring little poem, perhaps hidden, but that’s for you to find.

The definitive book on an iconic aircraft. Illustrated throughout with a varied and interesting selection of images, many previously unpublished. An early jet aircraft that collected many notable firsts including the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic and the first jet to land on an aircraft carrier. Comprehensive appendices covering serial allocations, production, export details and preserved airframes. The de Havilland Vampire was the second of the RAF's first-generation, post-Second World War jet fighters to enter service. It began life as an interceptor but was soon re-tasked in the day fighter/ground attack roles with the 2nd Tactical Air Force in Germany from 1948 to 1954 and with the RAF's Middle and Far East Air Forces. Throughout its forty-six-year career, it collected many notable firsts: it was the first jet fighter to cross the Atlantic; the first jet to land on an aircraft carrier; and the first jet trainer on which student pilots qualified for their 'Wings'.In addition to playing a full part in the RAF's order of battle during the 1940s and 1950s, the Vampire also served with the Fleet Air Arm and became an export success story for the British aircraft industry with hundreds sold to air forces worldwide. For a brief period during the 1950s, the Vampire formed the backbone of the RAF's night-fighter force and between 1952 and 1967 the Vampire trainer was responsible for a steady flow of trained pilots for the RAF, Royal Navy and foreign air forces. This comprehensive history covers the Vampire's development and operational service. It has been written with the full co-operation of the manufacturer, MoD, RAF and other world air forces, mixing narrative and technical detail with vivid personal accounts from those involved with the aircraft. Comprehensive appendices include technical specifications, production details, serials and export details. It is also lavishly illustrated and includes more than one story of encounters with UFOs by RAF Vampire pilots.

The Royal Air Force has long recognized the value of display flying for pilot training, prestige and recruiting purposes, and the standard of its formation aerobatic teams has always stood favorable comparison with those of air forces of other nations.Aerobatics have always played a prominent part in RAF training. They are not performed merely to provide a spectacle for the public but are an essential step in the making of a pilot, giving him confidence in himself and his aircraft. Formation aerobatics give him the added factor of confidence in his leader and other members of the team.This history of RAF aerobatic teams is the result of many years of painstaking and meticulous research from its early beginnings with five Sop with Snipes at the Hendon Pageant in 1920 to the present day 'Red Arrows'.The book also contains an introduction which details the gradual development from experimental and 'stunt' flying of the early aviators, through the aerial artistry of using smoke to highlight maneuvers and tied-together formation aerobatics, to the introduction of jet teams after the war. Also included in the book is a detailed index listing each team and its members from 1920 and it will undoubtedly provide an essential reference work on Royal Air Force formation aerobatic teams for aviation historians and enthusiasts.

This book covers the complete and long overdue history of the Hunting/BAC Jet Provost and Strikemaster, which for thirty-eight years trained generations of pilots and pioneered the RAF’s all-through flying training programme.Here, David Watkins has produced an extensive look at these aircraft after years of painstaking research assisted by veterans and historians. Having accessed the archives of the Warton Collection, he has amassed a range of rare photography to accompany the extraordinary history of these jets.From Jet Provost to Strikemaster is a work of narrative and technical detail which will satisfy the most avid aviation fans.

As a versatile and undemanding aircraft, the Jet Provost established itself as the basic trainer for the RAF from the late 1950s until its retirement in September 1993. In Jet Provost Boys, David Watkins explores the history of this magnificent flying machine through the vivid memories of former air crew from the RAF and foreign air forces.Alongside operating as a basic training aircraft, the Jet Provost had relative success within the civilian and military display flying circuit of the 1960s and 1970s. It was also part of the prestige Golden Eagle Flight at RAF Cranwell which taught the then-Prince of Wales how to fly. When the Jet Provost Mk. 5 model became the BAC 167 Strikemaster after some modifications, it became a counter-insurgency and light-attack aircraft. This capability allowed the aircraft to be sold to air forces around the world including Ceylon, Nigeria, New Zealand, Sudan and Venezuela where it played a reliable and effective role in multiple border disputes and internal warfare. It was crucial to the Sultan of Oman Air Force during the Dhofar War as the intervention of Strikemasters assisted in a significant turning point in the conflict.This book includes a foreword by Squadron Leader Terry Lloyd who was the leader of the 1964–1965 Pelicans display team as well as being illustrated throughout with black and white and colour photos. This latest addition to the Boys series is not to be missed and will appeal to all aviation fans.

This book covers the complete and long overdue history of the Hunting/BAC Jet Provost and Strikemaster, which for thirty-eight years trained generations of pilots and pioneered the RAF’s all-through flying training programme. Originally designed and built in 1951 as a private venture by Percival Aircraft in Luton, the Jet Provost became the primary jet-powered training aircraft for the RAF following a series of experimental courses at RAF Hullavington in 1955. By 1957, there was a contract for the production order of 100 Jet Provost T Mk. 3s. The Jet Provost even had a display flying team between 1958 and 1976 but was eventually withdrawn from RAF service in July 1993.The development of the BAC 167 Strikemaster in the 1960s saw a light-attack aircraft designed for counter-insurgency operations and predominantly used by overseas air forces. Adopted by thirteen air forces, both types have seen an array of action – from the Dhofar War to operating as close support and counter-insurgency against well-armed, communist-back guerrillas. Despite some 723 Jet Provost and Strikemaster airframes produced between 1954 and 1983, these aircraft have been overlooked in contrast to other jet types in the same period until now.David Watkins has produced an extensive look at these aircraft after years of painstaking research assisted by veterans and historians. Having accessed the archives of the Warton Collection, he has amassed a range of rare photography to accompany the extraordinary history of these jets. From Jet Provost to Strikemaster is a work of narrative and technical detail which will satisfy the most avid aviation fans.

Paints a clear, research-based picture of how Chinese students and their teachers see the context of their learning both in Hong Kong and abroad. The focus of much of this research is the question, "How can Chinese learners be so successful academically?".