Steve Davies – författare

An insight into the design, construction and operation of the US Navy's supersonic, all-weather multi-role combat jet, Supported by more than 270 photographs and technical illustrations, the Haynes McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet Manual lifts the panels on the most sophisticated fleet defender of all time to review its design, construction and operation, including revealing personal insights by US Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of flying and maintaining the mighty Hornet/Super Hornet. The US-designed and built McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet carrier-borne, multi-role fighter is one of the most important Fourth Generation fighters in the world. Its twin-engine, twin-tails (canted outwards) and leading edge root extensions make it one of the most recognisable fighters in operation. The latest version is the enlarged Super Hornet. Author Steve Davies lifts the panels on this 'king' of the US Navy's Fleet Defenders to review its design, construction and operation, including detailed personal insights by USN personnel of flying and maintaining the mighty Hornet/Super Hornet., Author: Steve Davies is a freelance aviation journalist and photographer. He is an authority on US military aviation and the author of a range of titles including the Haynes Boeing F-15 Eagle, F-16 Falcon and Boeing B-52 Manual, and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Manual (with Paul F. Crickmore). Steve lives in Cambridge.

1972 to date (all marks), Dubbed 'Warthog' – or just 'Hog' – the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II is the world's undisputed close air-support attack jet. As tough as it is ugly, it has built a fearsome reputation as a tank buster and infantry killer in conflicts around the globe, and its GAU-8 Avenger 30mm cannon strikes fear into the hearts of all unlucky enough to be on the wrong side. Steve Davies gets up close and personal to look at the Hog's anatomy, engines and firepower, as well as presenting compelling first-person insights into what it takes to fly and maintain., Author: Steve Davies is a freelance aviation journalist and photographer. He is an authority on the USAF and the author of Haynes Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Manual (with Paul F. Crickmore), Boeing B-52, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Falcon Manuals. Steve lives in Cambridge.

Steve Davies spent 48 years working in the railway industry from 1969 to 2017. His insider's view of the railways is presented in an easy to read style that will appeal to those in the industry as well as those for whom the jargon would be incomprehensible without Steve's explanations. He started work as a messenger boy and in 1982 he took his first driving turn. He subsequently kept 148 notebooks recording the details of all the trains he had driven including details of trains, times, number of coaches or tonnage of freight hauled. This fascinating insight into the day-to-day workings of the railway industry will be of interest to railway workers, enthusiasts and all of us who have ever wondered "What's it really like to drive a train?".

The F-15A/C is irrefutably the most successful jet fighter in recent decades.Serving in the Air Forces of Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, it has racked up a kill ratio exceeding 105:0. Despite its age, it has remained the leading operational air superiority and intercept platform in service in later years.Featuring fascinating technological details, this book uncovers a huge pool of previously unpublished information on both aircrafts' combat records.

The F-15C/E has formed the backbone of US and Coalition operations in the Middle East for over a decade, patrolling the skies over northern and southern Iraq as part of Operations Northern Watch and Southern Watch.F-15Cs policed the skies for Iraqi aircraft operating in contravention of no-fly zone agreements, whilst the F-15E was constantly dropping weapons onto the Iraqi SAM and AAA emplacements that engaged Coalition aircraft undertaking this mission. The USAF’s use of the F-15 in the region culminated with Operation Iraqi Freedom, which was launched in mid March 2003 in order to liberate the people of Iraq and ensure the destruction of Saddam Hussein’s alleged weapons of mass destruction. In doing so, the F-15C was used to protect friendly troops and aircraft from any last-ditch attempt to use the Iraqi Air Force.In the event, the F-15Es of the 4th Fighter Wing saw most prolific use, engaging Iraqi armour before Coalition ground troops moved forward, and providing close air support to soldiers and Special Forces as they came into contact with the enemy.

The F-15E Strike Eagle was at the center of every single conflict in which the US has been involved from 1990 to 2005.This remarkable aircraft has repeatedly struck targets where no other Coalition, NATO or US fighter has been able to go, breaking records for combat endurance and effectiveness. In the last decade, the Strike Eagle has been consistently upgraded to accommodate the latest weapons and electronic equipment.This book provides a thorough study of this versatile strike aircraft, as well as exploring its role in Operation Desert Storm, the Balkans, Afghanistan and Iraq.

The F-16, called the Viper by its pilots, has been a prolific fighter in US and Coalition operations in the Middle East since the Gulf War.Since the 1991 Gulf War, it has been the workhorse of the UN-sanctioned operations in the region, working in ‘Wild Weasel’, ground attack and air superiority roles. Operations Southern Watch and Northern Watch required daily and continuous combat patrols over Iraqi territory for over a decade – a task that was made simpler by the bountiful supply of F-16s in USAF service, and the fact that the jet has always been able to assume multiple roles and uses. When US President George W Bush ordered his forces into Iraq in March 2003, the F-16CJ was the second aircraft to enter enemy airspace-proper, sweeping the skies for electrons in a bid to find, identify and kill Iraq’s comprehensive air defence system.With the mission fulfilled, hordes of other Coalition fighters followed, including F-16CGs, which were used with great success to strike numerous targets.

From the mid-1960s until the end of the Cold War, the United States Air Force acquired and flew Russian-made MiG jets, eventually creating a secret squadron dedicated to exposing American fighter pilots to enemy MiGs. In this program, MiGs were secretly acquired and made air-worthy, before selected ace pilots were trained to fly the assets as they were flown by America''s enemies. This book tells the fascinating story of the Red Eagles, using recently declassified information and firsthand accounts from the pilots who took part in the program.

From the mid-1960s until the end of the Cold War, the United States Air Force acquired and flew Russian-made MiG jets, eventually creating a secret squadron dedicated to exposing American fighter pilots to enemy MiGs. In this program, MiGs were secretly acquired and made air-worthy, before selected ace pilots were trained to fly the assets as they were flown by America''s enemies. This book tells the fascinating story of the Red Eagles, using recently declassified information and firsthand accounts from the pilots who took part in the program.