ISBN: 9781738471423
Download a PDF sample here.
Introduction
From deep inside the Pentagon’s think tanks to the blazing skies over Iraq, Be Afraid of the Dark tells the untold story of one of the most fearsome and versatile fighter aircraft ever built: the F-15E Strike Eagle.
Part 1 of this definitive two-volume history traces the birth, development, and combat evolution of the U.S. Air Force’s premier multirole strike fighter—a jet designed to go anywhere, strike anything, and fight its way home.
Spanning from the late Cold War through the dawn of the Global War on Terror, this book dives deep into:
The political and technical battle to turn the air superiority F-15 into a deep-strike weapon
How Strike Eagle crews trained for all-weather, low-level precision attack missions
Real-world combat missions in Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, and Enduring Freedom
Firsthand accounts from F-15E pilots and weapon systems officers who flew into the heart of enemy air defenses
Packed with gripping narrative, rare photos, and expert analysis, Be Afraid of the Dark offers a detailed, immersive look at the early years of a jet that redefined airpower.
For fans of military aviation, air combat history, and Cold War and post–Cold War strategy, this is the inside story of the Strike Eagle’s rise to dominance.
The Book
BAOTD Part 1 is a premium quality coffee table book that textually and visually tells the story of the F-15E Strike Eagle from 1978 to 2002. It will be followed by Part 2 (2003-2025) in 2026.
Part 1 traces the history and development of the Strike Eagle from its conception as a replacement for the F-111 in 1984 to 2002. Every aspect of the aircraft and its operation are examined including airframe, powerplant, avionics and weapon systems.
BAOTD P1 is based on my F-15E All Weather Attack Aircraft book (published originally by Crowood in 2003). The words are laid out in coffee table format, with full-colour images throughout.
Limited edition print run of 1,000 numbered copies.
Specifications
Format: Hardback
Dimensions: 242 x 300mm
Page count: 204
Printed on: Text on Silk Coated 170gsm; Jacket on Silk Coated 170gsm; Endpapers on White Uncoated Offset 150gsm
Weight: 1.7 kg
Postage
Your order will be posted using a Royal Mail tracked and insured service.
Reviews
As a retired, light grey, F-15 Eagle pilot I thought I knew a fair amount about the F-15E. Not so fast, Steve Davies has done a wonderful job of comprehensively capturing the F-15E Mud Hen's (respectfully) technology, development, culture, and combat stories. Photographs are gorgeous and brought back many great memories of my days flying the single-seat Eagle. A captivating read, HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.
Be Afraid of the Dark is the seminal F-15E reference and a must read for every aviation enthusiast. Illustrated with stunning professional quality photos, the book details the Strike Eagle’s birth and how it replaced the F-4, F-111, and F-15. It weaves technical specifications with aircrew interviews to tell the story of how the jet became a beast in both the air-to-air and all-weather strike roles. Steve’s writing reminded me of the great aviation writer Bill Gunston.
Fantastic book with plenty of first hand accounts from front line operators and fantastic detail.
Really looking forward to the next instalment.
As a current Weapons Director in the Air Force, I've always worked with Eagle's as my primary platform through not only stateside training but deployment to CENTCOM, so of course there was no hesitation when Steve asked for support through pre-orders for this book. He does an amazing job capturing not only the humanity behind this platform through not just facts, but the visceral personal connections recalled that have helped turn this aircraft into a dominant force multiplier for years to come!
It's hard to believe I had my first flight in the F15E over 24 years ago, yet this book brings back the fondest memories in the world's best ever multi-role fighter. Rather than repeating open sourced data, Steve forges a historical account brought forward by the crews that brought this jet from nearly forgotten concept to the starring role in Allied Force. With personal accounts from the jet's all time greatest crews (and one not so great), this is MUST READ for any Mud Hen enthusiast. Enjoy!